Medina de Rioseco

Medina de Rioseco municipality
	Medina de Rioseco - Iglesia Santa Cruz; (today Museo de Semana Santa )
Basic data
Autonomous Community :	Castile and León
Province :	Valladolid
Comarca :	Tierra de Campos
Coordinates	41 ° 53 ′ N , 5 ° 3 ′ W Coordinates: 41 ° 53 ′ N , 5 ° 3 ′ W
Height :	735 msnm
Area :	115.17 km²
Residents :	4,647 (Jan 1, 2019)
Population density :	40.35 inhabitants / km²
Postal code :	47800
Municipality number ( INE ):	47086
administration
Website :	Medina de Rioseco

Medina de Rioseco is a small town in northern Spain and the capital of a municipality ( municipio ) with 4,647 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2019) in the province of Valladolid in the autonomous community of Castile-León . The city center is recognized as the conjunto histórico-artístico because of its cultural significance .

location

Medina de Rioseco is located on the Río Sequillo in the Castilian plateau at an altitude of about 735 m . The provincial capital Valladolid is about 42 km (driving distance) to the southeast; the city of Palencia is a good 56 km to the northeast. The climate in winter is quite cold, but in summer it is warm to hot; the rather sparse rains (approx. 420 mm / year) fall mainly in the winter half-year.

Population development

year	1842	1900	1950	2000	2016
Residents	5,333	4,726	5,054	4,902	4,803

Despite the phylloxera crisis in viticulture and the mechanization of agriculture , the population of the small town has remained essentially constant.

economy

Agriculture has always played the most important role for the population of the region, but handicrafts and trade developed as early as the Middle Ages. In the 18th century, the place was included in the plans for the Canal de Castilla , whose southwestern end it has been since then. In the second half of the 20th century, the tourism sector also gained greater importance.

and display information about the image

Medina de Rioseco - Plaza Central with Iglesia de Santa María de Mediavilla

history

In pre-Roman times the region belonged to the settlement area of the Celtic tribe of the Vaccaeans ; later came the Romans and Visigoths . In the 8th century, the area was used by the Moors invaded, but already in the 9th century Asturian-Leonese army of conquered areas north Duero back ( reconquista ) . At the end of the 10th century, the Moorish military leader Almansor temporarily wiped out the Christian successes, but in the 11th century the Kingdom of León expanded its territory again to the Duero border. After previous attempts, León finally united with the Kingdom of Castile in 1230 . From 1423 to 1705 the Almirantes de Castilla resided in Medina de Rioseco; during this time the city enjoyed numerous privileges. However, the town experienced its heyday in the late Middle Ages and in the early modern period, but it was not until King Philip IV (ruled 1621–1665) that it received full city rights. On July 14, 1808, a battle between Spanish and French army units took place at the gates of the city, the loss of which resulted in the city being sacked.

Attractions

Portico houses (soportales)

Baroque high altar of the Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol

The former walled city center with its alleys and streets lined with portico houses as well as the churches and convents is recognized as the conjunto histórico-artístico . Three city gates are still preserved.

The late Gothic Iglesia de Santa María de Mediavilla rises at the highest point of the city ; its baroque tower with a final dome and mounted lantern was not completed until the 17th century. Particularly noteworthy is the south portal with its archivolts and the raised keel arch in the middle. It is accompanied by two high lateral pinnacles , between which tracery and stone heraldic shields can be seen, which already refer to the Renaissance . The three-aisled interior of the hall church is spanned by curved star vaults and ends in the main apse with its baroque altarpiece . The lavish design of the Capilla de los Benavente also deserves attention.

The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol is dedicated to the Apostle James , the patron saint of the Reconquista and all of Spain. While the facade of the church is very strict and straightforward, the channeled piers and domes (central nave) and vaults (side aisles) clearly show their baroque origins. The carvings and paintings on the late-baroque high altar testify to the particular splendor and craftsmanship. The plateresque south portal of the church with its wealth of figures is also noteworthy.

The facade of the Iglesia de Santa Cruz testifies to the architect's knowledge of the Jesuit church Il Gesù in Rome. Today the church building houses the Museo de Semana Santa .

The former convent of the Franciscan Order and the Iglesia de San Francisco are in the south of the city. The monastery was donated by the Enríquez family , whose members were buried in the Capilla Mayor of the church. Both the church and the remaining outbuildings such as the chapter house and the refectory now house a museum of sacred art.

The Convento de Santa Clara ( Order of the Poor Clares ) and the Convento de San José ( Carmelite Sisters ) attest to the presence of other religious orders.
The elongated building El Torno or El Diezmo once served as a granary (pósito) .