Adzaneta

Adzaneta (in Valencian and officially, Atzeneta del Maestrat) is a Spanish municipality in the Valencian Community, located in the interior of the Province of Castellón in the region of the Alto Maestrazgo.

Toponymy

The toponym derives from the Arabic الزناتة (az-Zanāta) referring to the Berber tribe of the Zenatas.

Geography

It is located in a valley in the foothills of the Peñagolosa mountains at a distance of 47 km by road from the capital of the province and on the banks of the Monleón river. It has traditionally belonged to the Maestrazgo region, although in the proposal of DTH appears in the Alcalatén region.

The municipal area of Adzaneta is flat in general, but surrounded by high mountains (Nevera, Bovalar...). It has long, cold winters and warm summers. The highest mountain is Nevera Peak (1194 m.).

From Castellón de la Plana you access this town through the CV-151, then taking the CV-10, then the CV-15 ending at the CV-170.

Bordering towns

The term of Adzaneta borders those of Culla, Benafigos, Vistabella del Maestrazgo, Useras, Lucena del Cid and Chodos, all in the province of Castellón.

History

Adzaneta is rich in archaeological stations; There is Iberian ceramics in the surroundings of the hermitage of San Juan del "Castell" and other remains on the terraces of Monlleó.

These lands were highly coveted by the Berbers, in one of their raids a group of Zenata Berbers settled in Adzaneta. The Zenata tribe gave its name to these lands.

Already in the 12th century there were raids of the Cid (precisely the town is integrated into the Camino del Cid) and Pedro II of Aragon, the Catholic, who promised the Templars on November 5, 1210 the Castle of Culla when their lands were taken from the Moors, among them were the so-called Alquerías de Adzeneta. On May 11, 1235, it was donated to the nobleman Blasco de Alagón, instituting his daughter Doña Constanza, married to the also nobleman Guillermo de Anglesola, as heir. One of their sons, also called William, granted a Charter of Population in favor of Guillén de Columba and Raimundo de Canet on January 11, 1272.

It was conquered by King James I of Aragon, who gave it to his knights as a reward for their merits during the campaign. Thus, the town of Adzaneta was given as a fief to two noble warriors from Perpignan, who accompanied Jaime to the conquest of Valencia and once this was achieved, one of them received the institution of the lordship. In a document of notable antiquity it is read that on the occasion of the conquest, three generous warriors and brothers from the city of Perpignan came to this Kingdom and settled in the three towns of the Order of the Temple: Ares del Maestre, Benasal and Adzaneta; The Bertranes of Adzaneta deserved, for their greatest services, the prize and donation of possessions in this Villa.

The hosts of King Jaime expanded their domains, forming what came to be called the Setena with the towns and castles belonging to the Castle of Culla that were sold to the Templars according to a deed granted on March 27 of 1303. When the Temple was dissolved, by papal decision, it became part of the Order of Montesa, its successor in the Kingdom of Valencia.

In 2023 the municipality was incorporated into its historical region of Alto Maestrazgo, leaving behind its belonging to Alcalatén.

Demography

The municipality has an area of 71.16 km². In 2022 it had a population of 1,287 inhabitants and a density of 18.08 inhabitants/km².

Graphic of demographic evolution of Atzeneta del Maestrat between 1842(1) and 2021

(1) In these Censuses it was called AdzanetaPopulation of law according to population censuses of the INE.Population in fact according to population censuses of the INE.

Graphic of demographic evolution of Atzeneta del Maestrat between 1998 and 2022

Population as of 1 January according to the municipal register of the INE.

Population by nuclei

Population breakdown according to the Continuous Register by Population Unit of the INE.

Economy

Adzaneta's economy comes mainly from agriculture and livestock, which occupy most of the active population, although for some years now its economy has largely depended on the tile industry of Alcora, San Juan de Moró, etc. Another source of income comes from poultry and pig farms. Its main crops are almonds and olives (200 ha). Its industry is scarce and small, generally coming from the pork industry and a sawmill.

Evolution of outstanding debt

The concept of outstanding debt contemplates only debts with savings banks and banks related to financial credits, fixed income securities and loans or credits transferred to third parties, therefore excluding commercial debt.

Between the years 2008 to 2014, this city council has had no outstanding debt.

Monuments

Adzaneta preserves in some sections of its urban layout an important medieval and Renaissance heritage, especially notable in the Torre de la Presó or the remains of the old wall sections.

Religious monuments

• Chapel of San Juan del Castillo. Building of architectural interest dating from the year 1516. To highlight the altarpiece of the 15th century.
• Hermitage of Loreto. Building of architectural interest dating from the year 1602.
• Ermita San Gregorio. Building of architectural interest dating back to 1723.
• Hermitage of San Roque. Building of architectural interest dating back to 1775.
• Parish Church. Renaissance style of the centuryXVII with his great Baroque altarpiece of 1744. The image of the Christ of Pity, the work of Juan Muñoz or some of the formed by Gregorio Sánchez of the centuryXVII. The image of the Virgin of Bethlehem of the centuryXIV. A triptych of the so-called Arts and canvases of the Valencian school, as well as sacred vessels of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Civil monuments

• 

  Castle of Adzaneta. Only remains of the wall and a tower of Arab origin.
• The Tower of the Presó. Located on the street of Sant Bartomeu, it is part of the ancient medieval walls that protected the population. It is a square plant tower, with windows and thick iron bars. The tower was used as a villa prison from 1853 to the 60s of the XX. At present, it has been completely restored and conditioned to become the ‘Center of Interpretation of the History of Atzeneta del Maestrat’.
• The medieval walls. They are located on the street of the Order of Montesa, in good condition of conservation. They were part of the wall that surrounded the village from the s.XIII to the end of the 18th century. The use of hives that allowed the defence of the population is noted.
• City Council. It is a historic building, now rebuilt, which was formerly hospital and Palace of the Dining Room of the Setena de Culla during the s.XVI. It features a beautiful interior patio and a Gothic style window. The first floor is currently occupied by the offices of the City Council, while on the ground floor there is the Old Town Hall and the House of Culture Acts. On the second floor is the exhibition room, the library, the computer room and various municipal offices.

Local festivals

• San Antonio. It is celebrated in January.
• San José Meanes. The second day of Easter is celebrated.
• Romerías a San Juan Bautista. They are celebrated on Sunday after San Antonio and on the third Monday after Easter of Resurrection with a pilgrimage to Castell (house).
• Festivities. The patron saints are dedicated to San Bartolomé and the Holy Relics (Abdon and Senén) and are usually held from 15 to 25 August. Taurin celebrations, verbs, variety shows, processions, sports competitions take place...
• Fiesta de la "Pilarica". It is held on 12 October at the Cap de Terme.
• Festivals of the "Placeta". Feast of the neighbors of the "Plaza Divine Pastora" and the bordering streets with verbs, meals and religious acts, is usually held on the last weekend of July. They're not celebrating anymore.
• Fair of Adzaneta del Maestrazgo. It is celebrated on December 8. Procession "of the lighthouses", chocolatada and traditional fair.

Gastronomy

The typical dishes of Adzaneta are "kid" (tombet), "paella with meatballs", baked rice, "soupy rice with rabbit or chicken", rice omelette, &# 34;mustaches" and "figs" with honey or sugar. Their sausages are also famous, especially the sausages and blood sausages as well as the artisanal nougat and marzipan.

Politics