Albarracín | |
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 Albarracín, in ameander of theGuadalaviar River, viewed from Torre del Andador. | |
 Flag .svg) Coat of arms | |
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  Albarracín Location in Spain | |
| Coordinates:40°24′30″N1°26′22″W / 40.40833°N 1.43944°W /40.40833; -1.43944 | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community | Aragón |
| Province | Teruel |
| Comarca | Sierra de Albarracín |
| Judicial district | Teruel |
| Government | |
| • Alcalde | Daniel Úbeda Martí (2023) (PAR) |
| Area | |
• Total | 452.72 km2 (174.80 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,182 m (3,878 ft) |
| Population (2024-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 1,002 |
| • Density | 2.213/km2 (5.732/sq mi) |
| Demonyms | Albarracinense, -a Albarriciense, -a Lobetano, -a |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 44100 |
| Dialing code | 978 |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Historic ensemble |
| Designated | 22 June 1961 |
| Reference no. | RI-53-0000030 |
Albarracín (Spanish pronunciation:[alβaraˈθin]) is a Spanish town, in theprovince ofTeruel, part of theautonomous community ofAragon. According to the 2007 census (INE), the municipality had a population of 1075 inhabitants. Albarracín is the capital of themountainousSierra de Albarracín Comarca.[2]
Albarracín is surrounded by stony hills and the town was declared aMonumento Nacional in 1961.[3] The many red sandstone boulders and cliffs surrounding Albarracín make it a popularrock climbing location, particularly forboulderers.[4][5]
The town is named for the Hawwara Berber dynasty of the Banu Razin which was their capital from the early eleventh century until it was taken by theAlmoravids in 1104.[6]
From 1167 to 1300, Albarracín was an independent lordship known as theSinyoría d'Albarrazín which was established after the partition of theTaifa of Albarracín under the control ofPedro Ruiz de Azagra. It waseventually conquered byPeter III of Aragon in 1284, and the ruling family, theHouse of Azagra was deposed. The last person to actually hold the title of Señor de Albarracín wasJuan Núñez I de Lara, although his son,Juan Núñez II de Lara continued on as the pretender to the title until 1300 when the city and its lands were officially incorporated into theKingdom of Aragon.
In the Middle Ages, aJewish community was present in Albarracín, with the earliest written records indicating that Jews were living in Albarracín since before the 12th century. The community suffered from incidents of antisemitism until theexpulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.[7]Ferdinand II of Aragon originally ordered expulsion from Albarracín on 12 May 1486 with Inquisition consent, then recommended a delay. During the expulsion of 1492 many departed via the port ofSagunto alongside groups fromZaragoza,Teruel,Calatayud,Huesa, and other locales. At least 214 people left from Albarracín (minimum per Motis Dolader).[8]
During theSpanish Civil War, battles erupted in the town between Republican and Nationalist forces, with control of the area shifting multiple times between the two factions. In July 1937, a Republican offensive targeted the town, marking the largest military confrontation there during the war. In a swift attack on July 8, Republican troops seized control of the town except for the town hall and cathedral, where military personnel and civilians who had taken refuge remained besieged. The Nationalists responded by sending reinforcements and successfully retook the town on July 13, expelling Republican forces.
The town has been aNational Monument since 1961 and was awarded the Gold Medal for Merit in theFine Arts in 1996. It is also nominated byUNESCO forWorld Heritage status due to the beauty and historical significance of its heritage.
Albarracín has been a member of The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain association since its founding.
The town is situated near the ancient Roman city ofLobetum. During the Visigothic period, it was namedSanta María de Oriente[9]. The Arabs referred to the area asAlcartam, likely derived from the earlier toponymErcávida. It later came to be calledAben Razin, after a Berber family, from which its current name is thought to originate[9]. The toponym stems fromIbn (Ben) Razin, the Taifa kings of Albarracín who ruled from the Andalusian civil war until the reign of Ibn Mardanīs, the Wolf King of Murcia. Thus, the name signifies "the place of the sons of Razin," though its official name until the 19th century wasCiudad de Santa María de Albarracín.Another theory suggests that "Albarracín" derives from the Celticalb (meaning "mountain") andragin ("vineyard" or "grape"), or from the anthroponymRazin[10].
The town is located in ameander of theGuadalaviar River. TheSierra de Albarracín mountain range rises to the South and West of the town.
| Albarracín demographic trend[11] | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 | 1887 | 1900 | 1910 | 1920 | 1930 | 1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 | 2006 | ||||||
| Population | 1,883 | 1,953 | 1,897 | 1,689 | 1,688 | 1,576 | 1,582 | 1,467 | 1,376 | 1,187 | 1,068 | 1,164 | 1,050 | 1,076 | |||||
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