Jump to content

Santa Cilia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jmcc150 (talk | contribs) at 21:22, 29 March 2011 (added demographic data but much more needed on present day). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Santa Cilia
Flag of Santa Cilia
Official seal of Santa Cilia
CountrySpain
Autonomous communityAragon
ProvinceHuesca
ComarcaLa Jacetania
Government
 • MayorManuel Máñez Vivas
Area
 • Total
28 km2 (11 sq mi)
Elevation
649 m (2,129 ft)
Population
 (2009)
 • Total
207
 • Density7.4/km2 (19/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
WebsiteOfficial website

Santa Cilia is a municipality located in Jacetania, province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain. It is 14km from the town of Jaca between the River Aragon and the national highway N-240.

History

Santa Cilia's history is linked to the Royal Monastery de San Juan de la Peña as far back as the tenth century. In 1336 "the town was deserted and destroyed by the instability, death and heavy burdens on its neighbours." At about the same time the present layout of the old town was created, consisting of a nearly six blocks, though its straight streets are reminiscent of a Roman camp.

The church was rebuilt, replacing a medieval church with the addition of a bell-tower in 1646. Walls to protect the church from flooding were added in the eighteenth century.

The old medieval bridge is now broken, but once stretched 160m with eight spans and was an important toll bridge over the River Aragon.

Santa Cilia became a municipality in 1834 and attained its greatest population in 1920 with 520 inhabitants and about 90 houses. However emigration, mainly to Argentina, France and Barcelona reduced its size to the present day level.

Demographic data

Population data for Santa Cilia between 1842 and 2007:[1]

Historical population of Santa Cilia
Year184218771887189719001910192019301940195019601970198119912010
Population291408434412484511506437424431362253214158209

Modern times

Its airfield is a popular with glider pilots who wish to explore the nearby Pyrenees.

Villages

  • Santa Cilia
  • Somanés is a hamlet with 14 inhabitants that has been part of the municipality since 1969. It has a baroque eighteenth-century parish church dedicated to San Ramon.

Festivals

  • 30 April (Romería a la Virgen de la Peña)
  • 15 May (San Isidro)
  • 8 September (La Natividad de la Virgen)

References