Caspe
Encyclopedia
Caspe (ˈkaspe) or Casp (ˈkasp) is a historic town and municipality
in the province of Zaragoza, in the autonomous community of Aragon
, Spain
. It is situated some 100 km to the east of the provincial capital, Zaragoza
.
, a grandson of Noah
. Historically, the area was settled by the Sedetanos, an Iberian
tribe.
In 1169 Caspe was conquered from the Moors
by King Alfonso II of Aragon
, thereby following the history of Aragon and later that of Spain. It was originally a settlement founded by the Knights Hospitaller
(Knights of St. John).
Caspe was the site of the Compromise of Caspe
in the 15th century, which would lead to the start of the Trastámara
dynasty in Aragon. In the 20th century, during the Spanish Civil War
, Caspe was the home of the Aragon Counsel. It was also at Caspe where the autonomy statute of Aragon was written, but it could not be ratified by the Cortes Generales
due to the civil war being underway.
and agricultural industries. Nearby is the Aragon Sea and the River Ebro
.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in the province of Zaragoza, in the autonomous community of Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It is situated some 100 km to the east of the provincial capital, Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Zaragoza , also called Saragossa in English, is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain...
.
History
According to legend, Caspe was founded by TubalTubal
Tubal, תובל or תבל , in Genesis 10 , was the name of a son of Japheth, son of Noah.Many authors, following the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus , related the name to Iber- Caucasian Iberia...
, a grandson of Noah
Noah
Noah was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the tenth and last of the antediluvian Patriarchs. The biblical story of Noah is contained in chapters 6–9 of the book of Genesis, where he saves his family and representatives of all animals from the flood by constructing an ark...
. Historically, the area was settled by the Sedetanos, an Iberian
Iberians
The Iberians were a set of peoples that Greek and Roman sources identified with that name in the eastern and southern coasts of the Iberian peninsula at least from the 6th century BC...
tribe.
In 1169 Caspe was conquered from the Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
by King Alfonso II of Aragon
Alfonso II of Aragon
Alfonso II or Alfons I ; Huesca, 1-25 March 1157 – 25 April 1196), called the Chaste or the Troubadour, was the King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona from 1164 until his death. He was the son of Ramon Berenguer IV of Barcelona and Petronilla of Aragon and the first King of Aragon who was...
, thereby following the history of Aragon and later that of Spain. It was originally a settlement founded by the Knights Hospitaller
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
(Knights of St. John).
Caspe was the site of the Compromise of Caspe
Compromise of Caspe
The Compromise of Caspe made in 1412 was an act and resolution of parliamentary representatives on behalf of the Kingdoms of Aragon and Valencia and the County of Barcelona, to resolve the interregnum commenced by the death of King Martin I of Aragon in 1410 without a legitimate heir, in Caspe.The...
in the 15th century, which would lead to the start of the Trastámara
Trastámara
The House of Trastámara was a dynasty of kings in the Iberian Peninsula, which first governed in Castile beginning in 1369 before expanding its rule into Aragón, Navarre and Naples.They were a cadet illegitimate line of the House of Burgundy....
dynasty in Aragon. In the 20th century, during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
, Caspe was the home of the Aragon Counsel. It was also at Caspe where the autonomy statute of Aragon was written, but it could not be ratified by the Cortes Generales
Cortes Generales
The Cortes Generales is the legislature of Spain. It is a bicameral parliament, composed of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate . The Cortes has power to enact any law and to amend the constitution...
due to the civil war being underway.
Main sights
- Rock paintings and NeolithicNeolithicThe Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
archaeological remains - Collegiate church of Santa Maria la Mayor del Pilar (16th-17th centuries), located in the highest sector of the town. Founded by the Military Order of St. John during the 13th century, it is one of the best example of Aragonese GothicGothic architectureGothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
architecture, with influences from the Cistercian style. It has a nave and two aisles, the former covered by cross vaults supported by semicolumns, in turn placed over pilasters. The transept area was added in 1515. The bell tower is modern, dating to 1818, while from the Gothic edifice is the western portal, built in 1412 and featuring a rich decoration with contrasts with the sober interior. - Torre de Salamanca, located on a hill outside the town and built by general Salamanca in 1874.
- Casa Palacio Piazuelo Barberán (17th century)
- Mequinenza Reservoir, a humid area characterized by a large variety of fauna and vegetation
Economy
The town's industry is based on the social sector, the textileTextile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
and agricultural industries. Nearby is the Aragon Sea and the River Ebro
Ebro
The Ebro or Ebre is one of the most important rivers in the Iberian Peninsula. It is the biggest river by discharge volume in Spain.The Ebro flows through the following cities:*Reinosa in Cantabria.*Miranda de Ebro in Castile and León....
.