Segorbe

Segorbe
Municipality

General view of Segorbe from its castle.

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Coat of arms
Segorbe

Location in Spain

Coordinates: 39°51′N 0°29′W / 39.850°N 0.483°W / 39.850; -0.483
Country  Spain
Autonomous community  Valencian Community
Province Valencia
Comarca Alto Palancia
Judicial district Segorbe
Government
 • Mayor Rafael Calvo
Area
 • Total 107.52 km2 (41.51 sq mi)
Elevation 358 m (1,175 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 9,267
 • Density 86/km2 (220/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Segorbinos
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 12400
Official language(s) Spanish
Website Official website

Segorbe is a municipality in the mountainous coastal province of Castelló, autonomous community of Valencia, Spain. The former Palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli now houses the city's mayor. Segorbe's bull-running week (semana de Toros) in September attracts 200,000 visitors each year. The name in Valencian is Sogorb, but the local language is Spanish, not Valencian.

Geography

The municipal district area is crossed by the Palancia River from north west to south east. It is located on the natural way from Aragón to Valencian Community, between the Serra d'Espadà on the north and Serra Calderona on the south.

The urban area is located at 358 m height, placed over two hills emerging from the bank of the river.

History

The wall of Segorbe.

The area of Segorbe was inhabited as early as the mid-Palaeolithic Age, as testified by archaeological remains. Segorbe was once identified as the ancient Segobriga, described by Pliny the Elder as the capital of Celtiberia. However, archaeological excavations have uncovered an extensive Roman city in La Mancha which has been identified as Segobriga.[1] During the Visigothic rule in Iberia, it became a diocese seat.

In the 8th century Segorbe was occupied by Moors from North Africa and its cathedral became a mosque. Segorbe was the residence of Zayd Abu Zayd, the last Almohad governor of Valencia. After his conversion to Christianism, Segorbe became a base for the conquest of Valencia in 1238. In 1435 it became part of the royal estates of the Kingdom of Aragon.

Cárcel Tower and Teruel Gate.

Main sights

The Cathedral of Segorbe, consecrated in 1534 and extended in 1795 is connected by a bridge with the old episcopal palace. Its tower and its cloister are built on a trapezoidal ground-plan.

Segorbe's ancient castle was perhaps located over an Iberian acropolis. It originated as a Moorish alcazar, and lived its period of highest splendor in the later 15th century; Martin of Aragon held his court here. After the administrative center was moved to the new ducal palace in the city, it declined, and, from the mid-18th century, its materials were used for the construction of the hospital and Casa de Misericordia.

Other sights include:

Also had former sights, now demolished, in which include:

Duchy of Segorbe

The ducal line, in Valencia kingdom, whose members bear the family name of Aragó, was founded by the king Ferdinand I of Aragon who made his eldest son, Enric I, the first lord of Segorbe, duke of Villena, count of Empúries and count of Alburquerque. His son Enric II was created duke of Segorbe and was also count of Empúries, like his son Alfons I. The son of this last one, Francesc I, inherited from his father the duchy of Segorbe and county of Empúries, and from his mother (Joana of Cardona) the duchy of Cardona. He had no sons and the succession passed through his sister Joana, who was married to Diego Fernández de Córdoba, marquis of Comares. His son Lluis Folc de Cardona-Aragó was count of Prades, but he predeceased his mother in 1596 and the heir was the son (grandson of Joana) Enric III d'Aragó Folc de Cardona Córdoba. His son Lluis I succeeded him and deceased in 1670 and his son and successor Joaquin I also deceased in 1670. The heir was Pere Antoni, brother of Lluis I. After his death in 1690, the succession was claimed by Caterina, sister of Joaquin, married with Juan Francisco de la Cerda, duke of Medinaceli. The Medinaceli dukes received the duchy of Segorbe, the duchy of Cardona and the county of Empúries.

Lord:

Dukes:

To dukes of Medinaceli 1690 (later passed to the de Medina y Fernández de Córdoba).

The present holder of the dukedom is don Ignacio de Medina y Fernández de Córdoba, Duke of Segorbe, who is married to Princess Maria da Gloria of Orléans-Braganza.

See also

References

  1. ↑
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