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| Miranda de Ebro | |||||
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| Location | |||||
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.png) Location of Miranda de Ebro in Spain |
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| Coordinates : Time zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer : CEST (GMT +2) |
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| General information | |||||
| Native name | Miranda de Ebro (Spanish) | ||||
| Spanish name | Miranda de Ebro | ||||
| Postal code | 09200 | ||||
| Area code | +34 (Spain) + 947 (Burgos) | ||||
| Website | http://www.mirandadeebro.es/ | ||||
| Administration | |||||
| Country | Spain | ||||
| Autonomous Community | Castilla y León | ||||
| Province | Burgos | ||||
| Mayor | Fernando Campo Crespo (PSOE) | ||||
| Geography | |||||
| Land Area | 101.00 km² | ||||
| Altitude | 471 m AMSL | ||||
| Population | |||||
| Population | 38.417 (2007) | ||||
| Density | 379,13 hab./km² (PD/sqmi) (2007) | ||||
Miranda de Ebro is a city in the province of Burgos, belonging to the region of the Ebro in Castile and León, Spain. Miranda is located in the north-east of the province, on the border with the province of Álava and the autonomous community of La Rioja. According to a 2007 census conducted by Spain's National Institute of Statistics, it has a population of 38,417 inhabitants, making it the second most populous city in the province after the capital.
In economics it has a noticeable industrial character, and it is an important transportation hub, especially as a railroad junction. The chemical industry is the most important sector. In a radius of only 80 km are the cities of Bilbao, Burgos, Logroño and Vitoria.
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Geography
The city of Miranda de Ebro is located in the northeast of the province of Burgos, 80 km from the capital, in the independent community of Castile and León (Spain). The coordinates of the city are: latitude 42º 41 ' 6 " N, longitude 2º 55 ' 60 " W; it has an extent of 101.33 km ², a perimeter of 72,312 meters and is 471 meters above sea level according to the National Geographic Institute.
The city is divided into two parts by the river Ebro. The old part is named Aquende and the new part is named Allende.
History
The first settlements in the area date from the Iron Age. Only 3 km from Miranda are located the Roman ruins of Arce, where, according to the most recent studies, the Roman city of Deóbriga was built. There are also more Roman ruins in the nearby municipalities of Cabriana and Puentelarrá.
The first time in history that the name of Miranda de Ebro appears documented is in the Codex Vigilanus, where the famous expedition is mentioned that Alfonso I of Asturias carried out in 757. This story discusses destroyed localities, among which is Mirandam.
After the assassination of Sancho Garcés IV of Navarre, Vizcaya, Álava, La Rioja and the royal family recognized Alfonso VI of Castile and Leon as king; thus passed Miranda de Ebro into the hands of the Kingdom of Castile in 1076. Alfonso VI, to consolidate his power, granted the fuero of Miranda de Ebro in 1099.
In 1254, Alfonso X of Castile granted the "May fair", consolidating commerce, and in 1332 Alfonso XI of Castile granted the "March fair". The possession of a bridge over the Ebro since the tenth century together with the concession of the fuero insured that Miranda de Ebro would be a great center of commerce in the comarca from antiquity. During the 14th and 15th centuries, and after the disputes between Peter of Castile and Henry of Trastámara, the town of Miranda passed from hand to hand, first to the domain of Burgos, then Hermandad de Álava and ultimately once again to Burgos in 1493, where it has remained down to the present day.
The arrival of the railway in 1862 marked the beginning of the industrial revolution in the city; The junction of the lines from Madrid to Irún and Castejón to Bilbao was at Miranda railway station, making it the most important rail junction in the north of Spain.
In 1907, king Alfonso XIII granted Miranda the status of City.
During the Civil War, the city lodged a pro-Franco concentration camp, that remained active until 1947, being the last one to close down in Spain. More than 65,000 prisoners, both Spanish and foreigners, were interned during its existence.
Since 1992, Vierzon (France) has been the twin city of Miranda de Ebro. In 1999 there was a celebration to commemorate the Ninth Centenary of the Fuero of Miranda which took place in the presence of Infanta Doña Cristina and her husband Don Iñaki de Urdangarín.
Politics
The major of the city is Fernando Campo, member of PSOE. PP and IU have got minority representation too. Another local party is Izquierda Mirandesa.
Economy and demographics
The primary sector is in the process of disappearance; nevertheless the cultivation of grain still remains the primary activity of the region. Others, like irrigated farming and viticulture, are of lesser importance. In the past cattle and horses were of great importance as testified by the fairs that have taken place since the 16th century in March and May. Mining also has its place. There are limestone quarries on the outskirts of the city.
The secondary sector is developed thanks to its excellent geographic situation, next to the Basque Country and La Rioja, making Miranda de Ebro a city with a strong industrial and logistic character. The industrial revolution of the city began with the arrival of the railway in 1862. In the first half of the 20th century a sugar plant was the first big industry in the city (1925). Later on, FEFASA (1948) was created for the production of paper products. In the middle of this century many chemical industries proliferated like Montefibre, ELF-Atochem, Rests, etc. The nuclear power station of Santa Maria de Garoña is located nearby.
In 1969 the first industrial estate of Bayas was conceived, but not until 1981 were various businesses emplaced. It marked the beginning of many projects for the industrial and commercial development of the city. In the region other companies are located for the production of food, aeronautical, iron and steel products.
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The service sector is at the height of its activity as in the rest of Europe. Traditional commerce has made way for new enterprises for business and leisure. Great companies like E.Leclerc, Inditex, Eroski, Mercadona, and others have settled in the city. At the moment no commercial center exists and the commerce of Miranda is strongly harmed owing to the competition generated from nearby Vitoria.
Population. The last data gathered by the INE (2007) indicate that Miranda de Ebro has a population of 38,417 inhabitants. After a gradual reduction of population during the nineties, Miranda has gained inhabitants year after year thanks partly to arrivals from neighboring Alava in search of cheap housing, but also to the increase in the immigrant population (10.8% of the total). Expectations in the medium term indicate that the city will surpass 50,000 inhabitants in next the ten years once new industrial zones have been implemented.
Transportation
Highways
By the municipality numerous state highways run, railcars and freeways that unite to the city with all the capitals that surround it. They emphasize:
In project it is a new railcar and freeway that will have like departure point the city of the Ebro. First it is the A-68 or Autovía of the Ebro that will unite Miranda with Aragón through valley of the Ebro; second it is the AP-69 or Freeway Two Seas that Miranda with the Cantabrian cornice through the Merindades will unite.
: Morella-Miranda de Ebro
: Reinosa-Miranda de Ebro
Railroad
In addition it has a railway station considered of first order in that comes together two lines: Madrid-Irún and Castejón-Bilbao. To his important marshalling yard of Merchandise it is necessary to unite the projected line of the AVE. In the railway facilities of Miranda the Command post of Adif is located that is in charge of the control of the traffic of all the north of Spain.
Interesting places
Buildings civil
- Carlos III Bridge: Constructed in 1777 under the direction of Francisco Alejo de Aranguren, it consists of 6 arcs and it tells on stems both sides to diminish the impact of waters. Two lions guard the bridge from 1786, builds of the escultor Juan Antonio de Moraza; one of them holds to the real shield and the other the one of the City.
- City Hall: The present City council rises in the Seat of Spain from 1778. The building is work of Francisco I move away of Aranguren and is reviewed by Ventura Rodriguez. One is a building of style neoclassic, constructed in ashlar masonry, and finished off by triangular and semicircular bays.
- Castle of Miranda de Ebro: From castle of Miranda only retain some walls. Built in the century XV by Count Don Tello. It remained operational until the nineteenth century during the Carlist Wars. In the early twentieth century was dismantled and filled land, and many of its stones were used to build the now defunct bull ring.citation needed
- Palaces: Several mansions dot the old town of Miranda de Ebro. Stresses the House of Chains (Casa de las Cadenas) of the sixteenth century. It hosted Napoleon Bonaparte and King Ferdinand VII of Spain, who in 1828 placed some chains as a memento of their stay. Another remarkable building is the House of Urbina (Casa de los Urbina), also of the sixteenth century, which highlighted their defensive cubes. It hosted King Philip IV of Spain, on his way to France, and Margarida of Savoy, Vicereine of Portugal, where she also died in 1655.
- Railway Station: Built in 1862 by architect Charles Vignoles, it is one of the oldest stations in northern Spain. It confluence line Madrid-Irún and Castejón-Bilbao. In Victorian style highlights their shelters whose iron was cast in the workshops londoners Frederick Braby.
- Apolo Theatre: Singular building constructed in 1921, is the work of architect Riojan Fermin Alamo. Stresses its decoration as evidenced by the historicist busts erected on the windows and ornamental plants. The adjoining building is the same style and will join the theater after their rehabilitation.
- La Picota: Built in 1569 by the local master Maese Miguel Aguirre, is the "roll of the village", a symbol of the judiciary.
Religious buildings
- Espíritu Santo Church: Formerly was known it under the invocation of “San Nicholas”. One is a temple of románica nature that already is mentioned in the Law of Miranda of 1099. Their cover and its apse are of the century XIII and his reduced gothic ship of century XVI. Before the civil war (May of 1936), it suffered important damages and from its rehabilitation is denominated it, of the Espíritu Santo.
- Santa María Church: Built in the sixteenth century, its style is way between Renaissance and Gothic. Its interior lies the mummified body of Pascual Martinez "Chantre".
- Sagrados Corazones Church: Located in the former convent of San Francisco, the church was built in the sixteenth century. Stresses its steeple of the baroque style built in 1693.
- Former Church of San Juan: Hidden between the houses, the old church of San Juan is in ruins from the desamortización of Mendizábal. Despite that, in its interior retains the main craft a carefully decorated with polychrome, the baptismal font and some windows.
- St. Nicholas Church: Built in 1945, the project was second in the National Contest of Architecture that year. It consists of three craft aspect basilica, apse and a large rose window in his home. The interior highlights the large canvases attached to the wall of the apse painted by Manuel Navarro and his brother.
Others places
- Antonio Machado Park: Located in the city center, was built in 1915. Stresses its kiosk and covered his sculptures Alfonso VI of Castille and Leon, Francisco Cantera and The Municipal Band.
- Botanical Garden: Located on the slopes of La Picota, offering spectacular views of the city. The distribution in 7 terraces form a unique landscape with fountains, balustrades and greenhouses classics.
- Plaza de Abastos: Launched in 1917, sits at the center. Stresses the solidity of the whole and true Islamic finish.
- Old Convent of the RR.MM Agustinas Recoletas: The family Troconiz built in 1911 a villa in northern winds, then sold it to RR.MM. Agustinas Recoletas which extend into 1950 with a chapel of a similar style. Stresses its pyramidal tower and stone facade almohadillada. Since 1998 belongs to the delegation of the Government of Castile and Leon.
Sports
The town of Miranda de Ebro brings together most of its sports facilities in the Polideportivo Municipal Anduva. It has tennis courts, fronton covered, heated pool, outdoor summer tracks Omnisport, gym, running track and a soccer field artificial grass. Other facilities for the practice of sports in the city is the Stadium Municipal Anduva (soccer), the facilities of La Charca and Jose Garcia, Multifunction Pavilion and the Pavilion of the Ebro. The city also has a karting circuit, one and a motocross track aeromodelismo.
Clubs
- Club Deportivo Mirandés: also called "Mirandés", founded in 1927, is the soccer team of Miranda de Ebro. In season 2007/08 competes in the third division Spanish but already has experience at second division B. Closely linked to the football team found her hobby, the red tide, one of the largest in its class with 4,000 members. The football field is the Stadium of Anduva, but the workouts are conducted in facilities attached to this.
The greatest successes are sports, having played twice in the play-off for promotion to the second division and reach the last sixteen in the Copa del Rey after eliminating UD Salamanca and the Real Sociedad.
- Club Voley Miranda: is the club volleyball in the city and currently campaigning Superliga 2 Women. It was founded in 1979 though the current team was born in the summer of 2006. Compete under the name Promociones Diez Rical Miranda.
Sporting events
- Cross Prince of Spain
- Motos concentration
- Vuelta a Burgos
Celebrations and events
The celebrations and fairs are many that are celebrated in Miranda de Ebro throughout the year. The first event of the year is the Fair of March or Fair of the Angel who is celebrated the 1 of March and its origin goes back to century XIV; one is a fair of cattle and agricultural machinery. In he himself month of March the Winter Concentration of Motos Campturis. The first weekend of May is celebrated in the city the Fair of May (century XIII) that, in addition, it is made agree with a Medieval Market that already tells on eleven celebrated editions and that it agglutinates to but of 70,000 people in the streets and seats of the old helmet.
But the main celebration of Miranda de Ebro is the Saint John of the Mountain Festival, that is celebrated Monday of Pentecostés. This celebration is the ancestral update of one that considers at the present time greater romería of the Spanish north. They are declared of National Tourist Interest. The 12 of September are the day of the pattern of the city, the Virgin of Altamira. Between the acts that more affluence of public congregates it emphasizes the Aid of Floats, the concerts and the Aid of Fireworks.
Sister cities
References
- ^ La autovía A-1 se denomina N-1 entre Burgos y Miranda de Ebro
External links
- (Spanish) Oficial website of Miranda de Ebro
- (Spanish) Cámara de Comercio de Miranda de Ebro
- (Spanish) Center os History of Miranda de Ebro
