| Navalmoral de la Mata, Spain | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Country | Spain | ||
| Autonomous community | Extremadura | ||
| Province | Cáceres | ||
| Municipality | Navalmoral de la Mata | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 156 km2 (60.2 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2005) | |||
| - Total | 17,145 | ||
| - Density | 109.9/km2 (284.6/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Website | http://www.aytonavalmoral.es/ | ||
Navalmoral de la Mata is a municipality located in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. According to the 2005 census (INE), the municipality has a population of 17145 inhabitants.
Contents |
History
Reconquest
After Muslim kingdoms in Spain were defeated, at the end of the 14th century, and in the moment Spain was being created by the Catholic Monarchs as a unified country, Navalmoral was created as a crossroads of several important roads: Cañada Real Leonesa Occidental and Camino Real de Extremadura, providing support to people, animals and merchandise travelling east-west (and sometimes north-south using secondary roads). Local unconfirmed legends say that Navalmoral was created around Venta del Moral, an inn used by travelers. The only confirmed part of that story is that Venta del Moral really existed. Since then, Navalmoral has been economically and socially related to Plasencia, Trujillo, Cáceres, Talavera de la Reina, etc.
Some of the most important monuments come from that period: San Andrés church, Las Angustias chapel, the old Plaza Vieja and La Peligrosa district, and El Rollo cross in 1637 as a symbol of local justice (and independence, as Navalmoral was declared a town with its own city council in that period).
Austrians and Bourbons
Spanish empire was first run by Austrians dynasty, who were replaced by Bourbons dynasty in the first part of the 18th century (after a cruel succession war with a negative impact in all Spain). Bourbons focused on improving communications all around Spain, including Navalmoral: the Royal Way of Extremadura with staging posts which boosted local restaurant business and improved economical, demographic and urban local development.
In this period, Casa De Los Frailes building was built (also known as Casa Del Espadañal and Casa De Comillas, as its name changed some times as it was transferred to different owners), Caños Viejos fountain too, and some locally famous areas were created (La Bamba, La Serradilla, Cerro and Perchel districts or the first City Hall).
19th Century
In that period, Navalmoral was affected by the Spanish Independence War and actions from Carlist rebels as well as some calamities like frequent epidemics. In 1834, Navalmoral was appointed as First Judicial Party, which would be fundamental for its future development, and some public works helped in communications: Almaraz bridge and Extremadura road, from Madrid to Badajoz in 1854, built over the old Roman and Royal Way roads. In 1881, a railway to Portugal was built, being Navalmoral the most important train station in many kilometers.
As a result of this, local economy and demography were boosted, however they received negative impacts too, due to political changes in Spanish politics related to land distribution and ownership, which forced Navalmoral's population to abandon some lands, and new social and political movements, specially the grow of left and right extremism in the last part of the 19th century and first part of the 20th century (the lack of land boosted aggressive trade unions and political parties).
In this period some important Navalmoral's buildings were built: the old Moyano Hospital (donated by León Moyano, which became the Malaria Treatment Hospital in 1925), the Concha Foundation (both School and public library, thanks to Antonio Concha) and the current City Hall.
20th century
In the first part of the 20th century, communications were improved, specially during Primo de Rivera's dictatorial regime and Second Republic regime. In those periods, La Vera and Guadalupe roads were built, as well as other less important roads. Some schools and a jail were built too. The locally famous Fortnightly Farming Market was created. San Miguel, San Andrés and April Festivals were established.
In 1930 the Tobacco Fermentation Center (CNCFT) was built, providing a remarkable boost to Navalmoral and its comarca economies, and helping people to stay united in a period of high political tension.
Republican period starts in 1933, accompanied by an environment of social and political conflicts, demonstrations, strikes, riots, etc. Navalmoral population soon joined the republican ideas, trying to change an obsolete economy mainly controlled by landowners.
Second Spanish Republic created new laws to revert the disastrous farming and agriculture situation in Spain, but those actions weren't enough to fulfill the population aspirations, soon their hopes vanished and conflicts resumed. From 1936 Navalmoral was involved in the Spanish Civil War, suffering a lot as it was placed in the front line.
Spanish Civil War ended in 1939, but it was followed by some years of starvation, illness, political revenges and other calamities.
Postwar period
A number of civil works, some of them started or projected in past periods, are gradually finished after the Spanish civil war: running water from La Retuerta, La Gota, the Jardincillo park and the Municipal Park, a hospital, cheap houses, etc. Navalmoral's economy grows in that period based on agriculture, commerce, handicraft and services for all the comarca.
The Rosarito's Irrigation Plan was started, having a remarkable impact on Navalmoral's economy and demography. Besides, it allowed the expansion of cotton and tobacco based local industries.
While those works were being accomplished, Valdecañas Reservoir work was started. It allowed to take profit of Tagus river, providing a large amount of new funds for both Navalmoral Town and all its comarca, thus helping to slow down the 60's emigration process. As a result of this, new districts and schools were built, available running water improved thanks to Tiétar river water, sewers and other works were developed, the first High School was built, an agrarian training faculty, a retirement home, the Malaria Treatment Hospital and the Soccer Field were given back to the town, etc.
After a prosperity period, the situation seemed to stuck, but in 1972 the works to build the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant started, which boosted Navalmoral's demography and economy again, even though there was some opposition to this project.
Democratic period
During the transition from Franco's dictatorial regime to Democracy, prosperity arrived to Navalmoral: town planning, developments in commerce and industry, new roads, new sport facilities, a new hospital, new schools, cemetery extension, new running water facilities, lower-income housing, etc.
After the first democratic local polls in 1979 progress continued thanks to a big number of public works which made Navalmoral become the main town in its comarca, leading local area economy and politics, helping that area development, and getting profit from this role. As a result of this, nowadays Navalmoral takes advantage of a lot of social and public services, in all fields: education system with the build of two new secondary schools,(now there are three) health care, a hospital, also with the build of a new building to house Primary Attention Health Center, senior residences, communications ( speed train and several bus and coach services, highway to Madrid and Lisbon)and in the future is going to be set the high speed train station AVE. Now holds culture centres, new sport halls, Swimming pool, football, tennis and riding club centres, a brand new music and several festival hall, pop festivals,summer music festivals, Carnival, etc.
Carnaval is the main festival. During 5 days every early spring the town holds the bigger carnival fiesta in the main zone, there is 3 large carnival parades: the music is all the way, and most of inhabitants and tourists go in fancy well, specially in the night. These days the town's population is doubled, people come from cities around. Hundreds of bars, pubs and snacks bars, even with tables outside, are plenty with happy people enjoying the fest as the music can be listened everywhere you go.
Projects Navalmoral de la Mata is going to hold "Expacio-Navalmoral", a logistical-industrial estate which will process, supply and deliver raw material and goods to other main areas like Madrid in 2010.
Tourism
This town is very well communicated by train or highway. It's only 183 kilometres far from Madrid. Navalmoral is an ideal place for using as base for a great holiday in La Vera. The towns of area of La Vera are only about 30 kilometers far from here. La Vera is very well world-known as a very well preserved natural area full of rivers, gorges and hills and mountains plenty of fruit trees.
Navalmoral also is an excellent point of departure to another touristic cities in Extremadura, is extremely well communicated with Trujillo or Cáceres y Mérida through the Highway; after visiting this cities, the tourist can easily come back to Navalmoral to rest in their hotel.
Another interesting excursion is to the area named as Los Ibores, only 25 minutes journey by car from Navalmoral.Here you can admire roman ruins of Augustubriga, set beside the Tajo river. This area, Los Ibores, is a well preserved natural mountain area in the nearest of Virgen de Guadalupe Monastery.
Enthusiasms about bird-watching can't go away without a trip to Monfragüe National Park. http://reddeparquesnacionales.mma.es/parques/org_auto/red_ppnn/parques/14_monfrague.htm Here the scenery is magnificent, there is a great biodiversity set between rocky mountains and two big rivers with beautiful meanders. Golden eagles, vultures, storks, royal owls, live with wild boars, wild rabbits and deers. In the Park there are also an old castle and cave paintings. You can arrive in Monfragüe with just an easy 40 minutes journey by car from Navalmoral.
The main festival in Navalmoral is carnival.
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