Almedina

Almedina is a Spanish municipality located southeast of the province of Ciudad Real, in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha and belonging to the Campo de Montiel region, bordering the foothills of Sierra Morena to the south and to the east with the province of Albacete.

Geography

Diverse tributaries flow through its municipal area that flow into the Jabalón River, 6 km from Almedina.

The Guadalén river is also born, a sub-tributary of the Guadalquivir.

Heraldry

Its coat of arms is formed by a castle located on a hill and on both sides the Muslim and Order of Santiago flags fly respectively.

Their flag is green and white forming triangles towards their ends.

History

Because of the name (it means the fortress) it could be considered that it is of Muslim origin, when the archaeological evidence found points to an Iberian and previous settlement. Carlos J. Rubio recently founded the theory that the name of this town actually comes from the Roman municipium of Mariana, which after the Muslim conquest changed its name to al-Mariana > al-Madinat.

Because it was the gateway to the Sierra Morena, it was of great importance during the centuries of Muslim occupation, because it is not in vain that Inocente Hervás y Buendía places Almedina as one of the three most important Muslim cities in La Mancha, along with Almodóvar and Calatrava la Vieja, together with the Christian alternation, being a strategic place both due to its geographical situation and its location on top of a hill.

Economy

Basically agriculture (olive trees, vines, fruit and vegetables and cereals), construction and textile manufacturing.

Local festivals

• January 5th. Horse of the Magi.
• 17 January. Luminaries of San Antón (the eve).
• February 2. Luminarías de la Candelaria (the eve).
• February 3rd. Luminaries of San Blas (the eve).
• Carnivals.
• Ash Wednesday. The burial of the sardine.
• April 25th. Romeria de San Marcos.
• 30 April and 1 May. Crosses and Mays.
• May 9th day of Saint Gregory (Patron of Almedina).
• May 15th. Romeria de San Isidro.
• 10 July. Romeria de San Cristobal.
• August 5th. Almedina Mora
• August 15th. The Virgin of August. Emigrant Day.
• 7th of October, patron saints in honor of the Virgin of the Rosary. Traditional Rosary of the Aurora.
• 13 December. Luminaries of Saint Lucia.
• December 24th. The Maitines.
• December 28th. Anomas Day. Traditional night dance from the centuryXIV.

Monuments and places of interest

• Public source.
• Roman bridge.
• The parish church of Santa Maria.
• Hermitage of the Virgin of Remedies.
• Almedina Town Hall Building.
• Hermitage of San Cristobal.
• Paraje de los Barrancos.
• Views of the Campo de Montiel.

Folklore and customs

Baile de Ánimas, is celebrated on December 28, with origins from the XIV century, where men bid to dance with women, coming to pay large sums of money.

Gastronomy

• Gachas
• Migas
• Galians
• Pisto manchego
• Agreed
• Lamb chops to the pancakes

Celebrities