The Argañán Hostel

La Alberguería is a Spanish municipality and town in the province of Salamanca, in the autonomous community of Castilla y León. It is part of the Ciudad Rodrigo region and the Campo de Argañán sub-region. It belongs to the judicial district of Ciudad Rodrigo.

Its municipal area is made up of a single population center, it occupies a total area of 30.06 km² and according to the demographic data collected in the municipal register prepared by the INE in 2017, it has a population of 123 inhabitants.

Symbols

Shield

The heraldic shield that represents the municipality was approved with the following coat of arms:

«I hear a match. First of silver with a castle of gules, donjonado of three donjones, that of the highest homage, almenado, mazonado of sable and cleared of silver. Second, of silver with two sable and gold jaqueled boilers, gringoladas, and sticked; embroidered two orders of gold and sable. Shaped with royal crown»

Flag

The city council has not yet adopted a flag for the municipality.

Demographics

Graphics of demographic evolution of La Alberguería de Argañán between 1900 and 2022

Source: Spanish National Statistical Institute - Graphical development by Wikipedia.

According to the National Statistics Institute, as of December 31, 2018, La Alberguería had a total population of 116 inhabitants, of whom 58 were men and 58 women. Regarding the year 2000, the census reflects 200 inhabitants, of which 103 were men and 97 women. Therefore, the loss of population in the municipality for the period 2000-2018 has been 84 inhabitants, a 42% decrease.

History

Detail of the map A new map of the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal with their principal divisions, published in 1794 by Laurie and Whittle, in which it can be observed La Alberguería de Argañán,written as Albergeria.

The foundation of La Alberguería de Argañán dates back to the repopulation carried out by the kings of León in the area in the 11th and 12th centuries. A significant event for Alberguería was the loss of Riba-Coa by León in the Treaty of Alcañices (1297) that made the town a border since until then the Luso-Leonese border was located on the Coa river, the castle being erected to reinforce this point on the Leonese border. Despite this, in the XII century the town suffered the attack of the Portuguese troops who took the castle between 1660 and 1661, the year when it was recovered by Spanish troops. With the creation of the current provinces in 1833, La Alberguería de Argañán was integrated into the province of Salamanca, within the Leonese Region.

Economy

The outstanding debt of the Alberguería de Argañán city council amounted to 12,000 euros as of December 31, 2009, according to the local outstanding debt report of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Monuments and places of interest

Shelter Castle

Dated in a document dated August 16, 1474, it is estimated to have been built in the XIV century with alterations up to the 16th century. In 1643, the town was attacked but the castle was not taken by Álvaro de Abrantes, governor of Beira (Portugal). It was taken in 1660 by Portuguese forces (Antonio de Andrade) and definitively recovered the following year. During the year 1665, along with other fortresses on the Portuguese border, it suffered significant damage due to a violent rainstorm. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in April 1949. Dilapidated state of conservation, it is used as agricultural dependencies.

Culture

Parties

The town festival is on July 26 in honor of the patron saint Santa Ana. With an offertory to the Saint of "Roscones", later auctioned. The next day is Santa Ana Chica and it is the day that the heifers are celebrated. Every day of the party there is a festival at night.

Administration and politics

Municipal elections