Chinchón

This article is about the Spanish town. For other meanings, see Chinchon (disambiguation).

Chinchón
—  Municipality  —
Flag Coat of arms
Chinchón Location in Spain
Coordinates: 40°8′22″N 3°25′35″W
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Madrid
Province	Madrid
Area
• Total	115.9 km2 (44.7 sq mi)
Elevation	753 m (2,470 ft)
Population (2008)
• Total	5,191
• Density	44.8/km2 (116/sq mi)
Demonym	Chinchonete /-a
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	28370
Official language(s)
Website	Official website

Chinchón (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃinˈtʃon]) is a Spanish town 50 km southeast of Madrid. It is part of the Comarca de Las Vegas.

Overview

The Plaza Mayor is roughly circular, surrounded by 15th-17th century galleried houses and cafés and is used as a temporary bullring. The church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. It contains a fine early work by Goya depicting the Assumption of the Virgin. There is also a medieval castle, which, however, is somewhat damaged and also closed to the public.

Chinchón castillo

Though small, Chinchón is known for its festivals, a big draw for people from nearby Madrid, and those visiting it. Two of the biggest are the Chinchón Festival de anis y vino, a celebration of locally distilled anisette and wine, which takes place and the end of March, and the October garlic festival. In October of each year the central plaza also offers a bullfighting exhibition with the profits going to charitable causes.

Population reached 4,943 inhabitants in 2006.

History

Goya's brother house in Chinchón

The special geographical status of the plain of Tajuña facilitated human settlement since ancient times. Remains have been found that belong to more distant Neolithic next to a village probably Iberian or Celtiberians.

Later may be reflected in the presence of Roman roads and irrigation system in the Tajuña Muslim influence, then Christians would consolidate this work . The Christians regained control over that area when Alfonso VI of Castilla took Toledo in 1085. Until 1480, when it became a dominion granted to the Marquis de Moya

Bullring of Chinchon

In film

In Around the World in Eighty Days, the main square of Chinchón and most of the population were employed for the filming of a bullfight featuring Cantinflas.

External links

• Chinchon visitor information English