Uclés facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Uclés
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View of Uclés
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 Uclés
Location in Spain
Uclés
Location in Castilla-La Mancha
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| Country | Spain | |
| Autonomous community | Castilla–La Mancha | |
| Province | Cuenca | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 64.61 km2 (24.95 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 140 | |
| • Density | 2.17/km2 (5.61/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
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Uclés is a small town in Spain. It is located in the province of Cuenca, which is part of the Castilla–La Mancha region. Uclés covers an area of about 64.61 square kilometers. As of January 2020, around 212 people live there.
Contents
History of Uclés
Uclés has a long and interesting history. It was once a very important place.
Early Beginnings
The town and its strong fortress were likely built by a leader named al-Fath ibn Musa ben Zennun. This happened around the late 800s or early 900s. After his father died in 908, Uclés became al-Fath's main base.
Later, a family called the Banu Zennun (also known as Dhi-l Nun) took control. They were sometimes rebellious. By the 920s, they had to follow the rules of the Caliphate of Córdoba. This was a powerful Islamic empire in Spain. The Banu Zennun family was removed from Uclés in 936. However, they got the town back in 1018.
Christian Control and Battles
In 1085, Christian forces took control of the area, including Uclés. This happened after they conquered the city of Taifa of Toledo. But just one year later, Uclés was lost again after a big fight called the Battle of Sagrajas.
The Almoravids, another powerful group, took firm control after the Battle of Uclés in 1108.
Uclés and the Military Orders
Around 1157, the fortress of Uclés changed hands again. King Alfonso VII of Castile traded it with a ruler named Ibn Mardanix. They swapped Uclés for another fortress called Alicún. This kind of trade is called a barter.
The Knights Hospitallers
In 1163, the fortress was given to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. This was a group of Christian knights. They tried to get more people to live in Uclés, but it didn't work very well.
The Order of Santiago
Because the first attempt failed, Uclés was then given to the Order of Santiago on January 9, 1174. This was another important group of knights.
The Order of Santiago became very strong in the area. They took over the city of Cuenca in 1177. In 1179, the Grand Master (leader) of the Order of Santiago gave Uclés a special set of laws called a fuero. From then on, Uclés became the main headquarters for the Order of Santiago in the Kingdom of Castile. It was also the center of an encomienda, which was like a special territory managed by the order.
See also
In Spanish: Uclés para niños
