Tàrrega | |
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| Tàrrega | |
 Tarrega with the tower of the Santa Maria de l'Alba de Tàrrega visible | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Tàrrega Location in Catalonia Show map of Province of Lleida Tàrrega Tàrrega (Catalonia) Show map of Catalonia Tàrrega Tàrrega (Spain) Show map of Spain | |
| Coordinates:41°38′49″N1°08′21″E / 41.64694°N 1.13917°E /41.64694; 1.13917 | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community |  Catalonia |
| Province |  Lleida |
| Comarca |  Urgell |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Rosa Maria Perelló Escoda (2015)[1] (CiU) |
| Area | |
• Total | 88.4 km2 (34.1 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 373 m (1,224 ft) |
| Population (2024-01-01)[3] | |
• Total | 18,542 |
| • Density | 210/km2 (543/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | targarí, targarina |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 25300 |
| Official language(s) | Spanish andCatalan |
| Climate | Cfa |
| Website | www |
Tàrrega (Catalan pronunciation:[ˈta.re.ɣa],locally[ˈtaɾ.ɣa,ˈtaɾ.ɣɛ]) is a town andmunicipality located in theUrgellcomarca,Province of Lleida,Catalonia. According to the 2020 census (Statistical Institute of Catalonia), it has a population of 18,542 (register office, 2024) 
.
The village has aMediterranean climate with certain influences from theContinental climate. Local attractions include a park atSant Eloi mountain (420 metres (1,380 ft)) with aRomanesque church of the 13th century. Itstheatre fair, held annually each September, attracts over 100,000 people a year.
Tàrrega's growth began in the 11th century, when Count Ramon Berenguer I conquered its castle. Located at a strategic crossroad,medieval Tàrrega became an important economic and territorial possession. Indications of the town's vitality at the time include its Jewish community, its fairs and markets, and its large amount of artisans (especiallygoldsmiths). This period of prosperity was ended by theBlack Death, which depopulated the town.
On 26 July 1348, the Jews of Tàrrega were victims of one of the earliest episodes of anti-Jewish violence related to the Black Death. Both Christian and Jewish sources attest to the murders. It is estimated that 800 Jews were murdered.[4] (In 2007, excavations in Tàrrega identified the possible location of the medieval Jewish cemetery. Subsequent excavations confirmed that multiple individuals buried in six communal graves had suffered violent deaths.)[5]
Construction of Tàrrega's walls began to monopolize its resources, spurred by the fear of feudal violence. From the 16th to the 19th centuries, Tàrrega began to take on a more rural character,controlled by rich local families. A series of wars in the region caused instability in the city, as well as three revolts ofCarlists.
In the second half of 19th century, Tàrrega underwent a revival. Important events in this time included the inauguration of a railway line connecting the town withManresa andLleida in 1860, reconstruction of the walls after aflood in 1874, and the granting of the title of city byKingAlfonso XII in 1884. This period also saw the establishment of moderninfrastructure in the city.
The city of Tàrrega is arranged around the square of Carme, better known as "the Courtyard" (Catalan:el Pati). The square features a statue of the classical composerRamon Carnicer, a famous Tàrrega resident. Adjacent to the square is the Convent of Carme, aRenaissance cloister which dates to the 16th century. Notable buildings in the town square include the town council building, built in 1674, as well as the 19th centurymodernistchamber of commerce building and the 1910La Caixasavings bank.
Other local landmarks include the museum on the main street, which still preserves some noble rooms[clarification needed] from the 18th and 19th centuries, and the church of Saint Anthony (Catalan:Sant Antoni) in the square of the same name, which dates back to the 14th century. Higher up are the ruins of the castle ofCountRamon Berenguer, constructed in 1056. Little remains of the castle.
The municipality includes the villages ofEl Talladell,Claravalls,Altet,Santa Maria de Montmagastrell,La Figuerosa,Riudovelles, andConill (abandoned).
Tárrega is the home town of Borges Agricultural and Industrial Edible Oils, parent company of theBorges Group, a food company, founded in 1947.[6]
Places adjacent to Tàrrega | |
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Municipalities ofUrgell | ||
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