Huéscar

Huéscar

Huéscar

Municipality in Andalusia, Spain

Huéscar (Latin: Osca) is a municipality of the province of Granada, Spain.

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History

When the Iberian Peninsula was conquered by Rome, Osca was a town of the Turdetani, and incorporated into the Roman province of Hispania Baetica.[2] However, purportedly ancient coins from this town are not genuine.[3]

War with Denmark

Main article: Evacuation of La Romana's division

When Spain allied with the United Kingdom against Napoleon during the Peninsular War, Spanish troops in French-aligned Denmark–Norway suddenly found themselves in enemy territory. While many were evacuated by the UK or escaped by other means, some 5,000 Spanish soldiers were imprisoned in Denmark. Spain cut off relations with Denmark in response. Upon receiving this news, the City Council of Huéscar decided to declare war on Denmark. Huéscar, being a small village with only eight municipal guards at the time, did not send any troops to fight against Denmark, and neither did Denmark engage in hostilities against Huéscar. By the time of Napoleon's defeat, the declaration of war had been forgotten, and Huéscar forgot to declare peace.[4][5]

In 1981, a local historian rediscovered the declaration of war. This led to a ceremony and celebration on 11 November 1981, wherein the city mayor and the Ambassador of Denmark ratified a peace treaty.[6] Some representatives of Denmark attended wearing Viking costumes, while Spaniards erected signs in Danish jokingly warning against entering enemy territory.[5][4] During the intervening 172 years, no conflict or injury occurred between the two parties.[7][8]

Tourism

The main landmark is the collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor (St Mary the Great), designed by Diego de Siloé in the 16th century.

Geotourism

Huéscar is within the Granada Geopark, which was designated in 2020. The Geopark has promoted Huéscar in the context of geotourism as the start and finish of a 143 km trekking route, the "First Settlers Great Path".[9] The name reflects the legacy of Early humans in the area, as evidenced by a number of geosites of paleontological interest.

Sister cities

Huéscar is twinned with:[10]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. [2]
    Ptolemy ii. 4. § 12; Pliny ii. 1. s. 3.
  3. [3]
    Florez, Med.,; Sestini, p. 78; Théodore Edme Mionnet, i. p. 43, Suppl. i. p. 40; Sestini, p. 78.
  4. [4]
    Schoppert, Stephanie (2017-02-27). "In 1981, this 172-Year War between Denmark and a Spanish Town Ended". History Collection. Archived from the original on 2023-08-17. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  5. [5]
    "The Spanish town that was two centuries at war with Denmark". Fascinating Spain (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  6. [6]
    "Famous moments and visits". Archived from the original on 2022-09-26. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  7. [7]
    "Ministry of foreign affairs of Denmark". Archived from the original on 2017-07-29. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
  8. [8]
    "Huéscar. Efemérides en la comarca de Huéscar. Visitas ilustres". Archived from the original on 2017-07-29. Retrieved 2015-07-20.
  9. [9]
    "First settlers great path". geoparquedegranada. Archived from the original on 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  10. [10]
    "Venskabsbyer". Kolding Kommune. Archived from the original on 2007-06-10.
  11. [11]
    "Real Madrid CF". Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial. Archived from the original on 2023-09-03. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
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