La Alberca
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La Alberca is a municipality in the province of Salamanca in the autonomous community of Castilla y León , Spain .
By Decree 92/2000 of 27 April, the Junta of Castilla y León , declaring the Valley of the Batuecas in La Alberca ( Salamanca ), a Cultural Under- Historic Site . The valley, though dependent on the province of Salamanca , is natural for the farm access hurdano of Las Mestas , where Batuecas River joins the river Ladrillar . The Carmelite convent of Batuecas Desert is situated only five kilometers from this population, but are 12 miles that separate him from La Alberca. The 2003 has a population of 1105 inhabitants, 573 men and 532 women in an area of 60.73 km ². Its altitude is 1048 meters.
Liturgy
La Alberca is a liturgical and traditional people. The religious spirit for centuries marked the character set that is projected albercano expressions of rites for life, has rituals for birth, rites and rituals to live to die. The visual manifestation of the ritual has been forged over the centuries, one part in demonstrations in other manners and secular architecture, which is what we want to tell. Just walk the streets of La Alberca and environs to see religious manifestations in stone, perhaps by the desire of man to remain in the memory of the living when they do are gone, or perhaps to remind themselves and others that religious feeling is present. We're going to invite you to visit some of these sacred places that for centuries have been raised in and around La Alberca. And we want to begin by quoting a document of some 422 years ago about La Alberca: "... It has only a parish church and a chapel near the village of San Sebastian and two chapels, one of Our Lady of Majadas Old and one from San Pedro and two shrines .... "
Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption.
The Parish Church of the eighteenth century , as a curiosity that was completed the same year as the New Cathedral of Salamanca in 1733 . It has an interesting pulpit polychrome granite of XVI century and is remarkable the Blessed Christ of sweat.
Religious inscription on a door.
Great tower built about 212 years before the present church, paid for by the first Duke of Alba , with the coat of arms carved in a corner of the Tower. In 1693 we are told that "has a clock that has nothing to envy of Benavente . And in the tower each bell has a charming story to tell, each accompanied by moments in which life happens to the albercanos. The chronicles that "... in 1520 to end a campaign to end lacking metal handles above, do not hesitate in getting rid of the albercanos rings, silver jewelry and smelt to finish ... " The Shrine of Our Lady of Old Majadas out to Mogarraz about two miles into a forest of chestnut and oak hidden and almost mystical. Virgin has a Romanesque over there by the twelfth century can be seen at the parish church, beautiful in its simplicity, as with its Romanesque chapel, the granite exterior pulpit. It has its own intimate and very albercana procession with the Virgin Loa, comedy and weathers. Ermita de San Marcos near the previous one, in a privileged spot with views that are addressed, the Rock of France , the Egg Rock , El Portillo de la Cruz , La Alberca, the river France . And a big gap in the middle of a forest of oaks . Began construction in 1703 is now in ruins, lost his religion for being a bit far from town. Surprised by the grandeur of the ruins.
Hermitage of the Shrine.
Ermita del Cristo del Humilladero within the village, it is the oldest. As in all self-respecting peoples have the main entrance of the town a Humilladero, this was once the driveway from Salamanca. Humilladero His Christ is taken out in procession on Holy Thursday of Semana Santa .
Ermita de San Blas
Ermita de San Blas right side toward the Batuecas . Formerly known as the Martyrs of Los Santos, until not long ago was the village cemetery. It has a cypress that stands upright from a distance. Worship is not performed on it, however for albercanos is particularly important for the pilgrimage of "The Day Banner "is held there by tying in his belfry" the banner that grabbed albercanas fighting the Portuguese in 1475, and since that day to be celebrated and given free wine Lunes de Aguas (for centuries has been at the expense of the Duke of Alba ). Today is paid by the municipality of La Alberca. Ermita de San Antonio in the entry from Salamanca with its procession and mass on her feast day. In the Natural Park of Las Batuecas have to start citing as sacred places of worship and the prehistoric caves that appear throughout the Valley. Since 1599 they founded the Carmelite Fathers the monastery will become a major center for the spread of spirituality. Myth appears Batuecas literary. Within the sanctuary are 18 hermitages scattered some of which can be visited but are in ruins, contemplating a beautiful view of the valley to the nunnery. The Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Peña de Francia , El Cabaco , Marian shrine to 1723 meters. It was built by Dominican monks in the fifteenth century. Privileged vantage point where you can enjoy miles of natural beauty. Virgin discovered in the XV century by Frenchman named Simon Vela . The Convent of The Zarzoso Porta Coeli , The Cabaco . Contemplativas.Fundado Franciscan nuns in the fifteenth century. In The Maíllo , a village near at the foot of the Peña de Francia , raised the Dominican Fathers "Lower House" not to lose the cult of the Virgin in the winter months. Great monastery of the late fifteenth century , is now in ruins. Finally, citing the "Convento de Gracia" in San Martín del Castañar , a town near La Alberca, founded in 1430 by the Franciscan Fathers had great importance and influence on their environment for centuries, is situated in a lush forest oak, is in ruins. It is also a place of note is the birthplace and raised the Father José Antonio Hoyos Hoyos, who now teaches at St. Thomas Aquinas College in La Felguera, Asturias. Language Teaches Castellana. It's a nice friendly person and never rejects contact with a student and / or parishioner.
History
The population had been established in La Alberca since before the arrival of the Romans, as evidenced by the pre-roman castro under which sits a part of town. From the [Visigoth] era there are few data, however it is known that material was reused to build now Majadas Old Chapel. On the lintels of the doors usually have religious inscriptions, this could indicate that their inhabitants were converted and used this method to reaffirm their faith. In the XIII century villa La Alberca was a clerk of the crown, being one of the few places in the Sierra de France that belonged to Miranda County . But in the fifteenth century , John II of Castile made the village of La Alberca will depend on the House of Alba who later gained control of part of the Sierra de France with the help of Ferdinand grouping these domains under jurisdiction of the town of Granadilla Caceres. However he managed to keep La Alberca great autonomy of Granadilla, coming to have their own ordinances in 1515 and to be the Hurdes a meadow of La Alberca until 1835 . Another important event in the history of La Alberca, according to tradition in 1465 women albercanas Portuguese troops defeated the Prior of democrats, this victory was snatched from the Portuguese flag, which is still preserved today in the village, this victory is celebrated on the second day of Easter. In the past, in an area known as Vegamosquín, there was a nunnery, of which the only remnant is a name of a small stream known as "little stream nuns." In 1940 the town became a National Historic Landmark, facilitating urban conservation. Famous locals: José Luis Puerto
Etymology
The name of the La Alberca comes from the Hebrew word "baraka", combined with the Arabic article "al", the name Al-Beneke means "place of waters.
Events
During the August 15 is celebrated in La Alberca the Offertory, party in honor of Our Lady of the Assumption, full of baroque splendor and where you can see the colorful costumes and traditional folklore. The next day represents the loa, a popular comedy that mixes religious and secular elements. These parties are declared of National Tourist Interest. On September 8 the festival is held at the Rock of France and the Saturday before Pentecost celebrates the pilgrimage to Old Majadas. In La Alberca takes the tradition of having a pig loose in the streets that is fed by the neighbors. The pig, named "pig San Anton" is blessed on July 13 and released by the town's streets. On January 17 , the day of San Antonio Abad (Saint Anthony), the pig is raffled off at the doors of the church. The benefits are aimed at the Brotherhood of St Anton. In November he has taken up the Calbochada, this is is to roast chestnuts in the town square while displaying the folklore of the area. On February 2 we celebrate the feast of the candles with a procession of the Virgin of the Assumption.
Legends
La Virgen de Maralviejas or Majadas Viejas, would have found among rocks by a hermit named Froilan. The Christ of sweat, tradition says that sudo blood on September 1 of 1655 , and the day folowing bleed from the wound in his side.