Teruel is a city in Aragon, and is also the capital of Teruel Province.
It is noted for its harsh climate, with a wide daily variation in temperatures and its renowned jamón serrano (cured ham), its pottery, its surrounding archaeological sites, rock outcrops containing some of the oldest dinosaur remains of the Iberian Peninsula, and its famous events: La Vaquilla del Ángel during the weekend (Friday to Monday) closest to 10 July and Bodas de Isabel de Segura around the third weekend of February.
Teruel is regarded as the Town of Mudéjar (Moorish-influenced architecture) due to numerous buildings designed in this style. All of them are comprised in the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon which is a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
The area around Teruel has been populated since the times of the Celtiberians, who called it Turboleta. The place-name Turboleta could come from the Basque-Iberian term itur + olu + eta (place of the water source, spring), according to the theory of Basque-Iberism. The area was later occupied by the Romans, who left remains in nearby towns, such as Cella.
Some authors claim that in the location of the current city of Teruel, specifically its Jewish quarter, was originally called Tirwal, a name that would have come from the Arabic word meaning tower.
A Muslim enclave is said to have existed in that location in the year 935. However, the corresponding archaeological sites found there belong to a defensive structure, not a population centre.
On October 1, 1171, the King Alfonso II captured Tirwal. He was threatened by the Almohads’ capture of Valencia, and wanted to strengthen the southern border of his kingdom. In the same year, he founded the city of Teruel, granting it fueros and privileges to facilitate the repopulation of the area.
More information: Turismo Teruel
The foundation of Teruel marked an unprecedented change in the political and territorial structure of southern Aragon. The predominance of Albarracín and Alfambra during the Muslim era was being replaced by that of the newly-founded cities, Teruel in particular, to the detriment of Alfambra. Alfabra would remain in the background under the organizing principle of manorialism.
According to one legend, Toruel was founded when all the wise and important people of the town came together to look for signs and omens. The omen they found favourable was a bull, mooing from atop a high place with a star shining on it from above. The high place where they found the bull was eventually made into the town’s main square.
According to some authors, the name of the city has its origins in this meeting, since the combination of the words bull (toro) and the name of the star, Actuel would make Toroel, which could become Toruel. The legend of this encounter also explains the star and bull on the city’s flag and coat of arms.
The inhabitants of Teruel intervened in the conquest of Valencia, which had been in the hands of the Muslims, and in the War of the Two Peters against the Kingdom of Castile. The population was granted the title of city in 1347 by Pedro IV of Aragon for their support in the Battle of Épila. It is also important to highlight the considerable importance that the Jewish and Mudéjar communities attained within the social and economic life of the city, since their aljamas were consolidated towards the end of the 13th century.
More information: Teruel Versión Original
The Jewish Quarter of Teruel still preserves its name, and many archaeological sites have been found there. In the Middle Ages, Teruel possessed a prominent Jewish community, which was robust during the centuries Muslims were in power and enjoyed several privileges. Later on, after the Christian reconquest of Spain, the Jewish community paid a yearly tax of 300 sueldos in the 14th century. Its members were engaged in commerce and industry, especially in wool-weaving. During the persecutions of 1391 many of them were killed, while others accepted Christianity in order to save their lives.
Teruel was fought over in the Spanish Civil War, and much of the city was destroyed. The Battle of Teruel in December 1937-February 1938, was one of the bloodiest of the war. The town changed hands several times, first falling to the Republicans and eventually being re-taken by the Nationalists. In the course of the fighting, Teruel was subjected to heavy artillery and aerial bombardment. The two sides suffered up to 140,000 casualties between them in the three-month battle. The Nationalists won a decisive victory.
The beauty of the town's cultural inheritance, which has some Islamic influence, has been recognized by UNESCO, which includes four churches in the World Heritage Site Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon, notably the town's ornate cathedral in the Mudéjar style.
One of Teruel's best known monuments is a very small statue of a bull on top of a tall column, known as El Torico (the little bull). It is located in the main square, Plaza Carlos Castell, more commonly known as the Plaza del Torico in the middle of the town centre.
More information: UNESCO
aunque sea pequeñico en tradición, es primero.
Es símbolo de grandeza, de esperanza y de valor de nuestro Teruel,
nobleza, y del mundo lo mejor...
When you see the Torico do not make fun of stranger,
although he is small in tradition, he is first.
He is a symbol of greatness, hope and value of our Teruel,
nobility, and the best of the world...
Juan de Teruel
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