Puertomingalvo Coun Try: Spain

Si te: Puertomingalvo Coun try: Spain

C ON TE N TS OF TH E F I L E

Synthesis Architectural typologies present Country’s accepted sites

History and general information Current state of vitality and preservation Transformation process Interventions and rehabilitation programmes Bibliography Lexicon

SYNTHESIS

In the province of Teruel, in the comarca of Gúdar-Javalambre, providing a vantage point from the Maestrazgo to the Mediterranean, Puertomingalvo is a small walled village on the border of Aragón. The village maintains its rural and noble character, with two- and three-storey constructions of masonry and ashlars, at the same time being basically popular in nature. It takes its name from the Arabic period when it was governed by a king called “Ben-Galbón” (Ibm-Galdún), and the village was called “Puerto Ben-Galbón”. Countr map y Regional scale

Source: Geographic map El Guión 2002. Grupo Anaya. Madrid, 2002. Local sc ale

ARCHITEC TURAL TYPOLOGIES PRESENT

Grouped habitat in the plain / hills

COUNTRY’S ACCEPTED SIGNIFICANT SITES

Salàs Vall de Bianya Torroella de Montgrí Vilassar de Mar Detail of the urban fabric Montuï ri Ibiza Puertomingalvo Aledo Cazorla Osuna Guadix Capilerilla Casares

This project is financed by the MEDA programme of the European Union. The opinions expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union or of its member States. 1/3 Puerto min galv o

HISTORY AND GENERAL INFOR MATION

History and archaeological finds reveal the past occupation of this land by Iberians and Romans. Under Islamic rule, Puertomingalvo maintained its importance as a military enclave as the remains of a large bastion built with bossed ashlars go to show. After the Aragonese conquest in 1181, Pedro II the Catholic handed it over to the Mitra de Zaragoza for repopulation. For over 600 years, the village had 47 lords, including bishops and archbishops. Their main function was to collect taxes. In 1811, with the abolition of the feudal system, Puertomingalvo’s long period as church property came to an end.

2  Surface ar ea of the site 103.6 km

 Geographical co-ordinates Lat. 40º 16’ N, long. 0º 27’ O.  Height above sea l evel 1,456 m  Lithology

 Population 146 inhabitants (2001). The population has fallen since 1920 when it numbered 1,298 inhab. 2  Population densit y 1.4 inhab./km

 Average annual maximum temperatures 18.1 ºC 30 150 25 125  Average annual minimum temperatures 5.0 ºC 20 100 15 75  Averag e of maximum temp eratures 29.7 ºC (°C) (mm) 10 50 during the hottest month for 10 year s 5 25  Averag e of minimum temperatur es during -1.7 ºC 0 0 the coldest month for 10 years -5 -25

 Annual rainfall 382 mm Graph of average temperat ure and  Averag e number of days of rain p er year 82 precipitati on

 Specifi c ch aracteri stics In 1982, the historic centre was listed as a site of cultural interest in the category of historical and artistic complex.

 Traditional economic activities Trade, crafts (working with brass, copper and silver) and stock-keeping.

 New economic activities Tourism.

 Site’s communications with its terr itor y It is 95 km from Teruel, with which it is communicated by the regional A 226 road, then the A 228 and finally the local road from Rubielos de Mora to Mosqueruela; at the 25-km mark, there is a turning on the right, the TE-V-8111 country road leading to the village.

CURRENT STATE OF VI TALI TY AND PRESERVATION

After a long period of recession during which the town was practically abandoned, this process has slowed down and a balance has been struck between its tourist and monumental values, with long-abandoned buildings being rehabilitated as second homes and giving this small village a new lease of life.

TRANSFOR MATION PR OCESS

As in all villages of similar characteristics, adaptation to present-day requirements of comf ort and convenience involve major processes of transf ormation. These transf ormations are restricted to interior spaces, and are very respectf ul of interventions on the facades, though regrettably some coloured rendering is being removed due to the fashion for bare stone.

INTERVEN TIONS AND REHABILI TATION PROGRAMMES

Mention should be made of the rehabilitation of the Poma Hospice or Santa María de Gracia Foundation, founded in the first half of the 15th century; for centuries, this institution was involved in educating and training the most disadvantaged members of the municipality. It was abandoned and destroyed in the thirties and forties, but has been rehabilitated in the last two decades. The fortress defending the village has also been rehabilitated recently and the Provincial Council of Aragon, together with the local council, is working on improvements to the urban complex as a whole.

Contacts

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• FEDUCHI, Luis M. Itinerarios de arquitectura popular española. Editorial Blume. Barcelona: 1974-1984. (Volumes III and IV). • FLORES, Carlos. Arquitectura popular española. Aguilar. Madrid, 1973-1977.(Volumes IV and V).

File created: 23/02/01 File last modified: 03/05/01