Tarazona

This article is about the town in Aragon, Spain. For other uses, see Tarazona (disambiguation).

Tarazona Tarazona (Spanish) Tarazona (Aragonese)
Municipality
Tarazona, 2015. Depicted are: Tarazona Cathedral and Seminary, Old Bullring, and Sanctuary of the Lady of the River
Flag Coat of arms
Tarazona Location of Tarazona within Spain / Aragon Tarazona Tarazona (Aragon)
Coordinates: 41°54′16″N 1°43′27″W
Country	Spain
Autonomous Community	Aragon
Province	Zaragoza
Comarca	Tarazona y el Moncayo
Municipality	Tarazona
Founded	1st century BC
Government
• Mayor	Luis María Beamonte (PP)
Area
• Total	244 km2 (94 sq mi)
Elevation	480 m (1,570 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	10,509
• Density	43/km2 (110/sq mi)
Demonym	Turiasonense
Website	www.tarazona.es

Tarazona is a town and municipality in the Tarazona y el Moncayo comarca, province of Zaragoza, in Aragon, Spain. It is the capital of the Tarazona y el Moncayo Aragonese comarca. It is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarazona. Located on the river Queiles, a tributary of the Ebro, Tarazona was an important regional centre of ancient Rome, known as Turiaso, located around 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Bilbilis. The city later came under the rule of the Visigoths, who called it Tirasona.

Tarazona has an area of 244.01 square kilometers and a population of 10,756 and is located 480 meters above sea level.

History

Bust of Augustus found in Tarazona in 1980.

During the Roman era, Tarazona was a prosperous city whose inhabitants were full Roman citizens; it was known as Turiaso. The city declined after the fall of the Roman Empire, and later became a Muslim town in the 8th century.

Coat of arms of Tarazona in the iglesia de San Atilano.

It was conquered in 1119 by Alfonso I of Aragon and became the seat of the diocese of Tarazona. Construction on Tarazona Cathedral first began in the 12th century in the French Gothic style, and it was consecrated in 1232.

After the crucifixion of Alfonso I, Tarazona became a town situated on the frontiers between Castile, Navarre, and Aragon, and was thus of strategic importance.

During centuries of Arabic rule, the city's population was diverse, and Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived together. The Muslim presence was evident in the local architecture; the cathedral itself was later rebuilt in Mudéjar style. The city suffered a terrible crisis when the Moriscos were expelled. During the War of the Two Peters, the city was occupied by Castilian troops for nine years, and the cathedral was damaged during this time.

In the 20th century, Tarazona became an important producer of matches and textiles, but these industries were replaced by others from the 1980s onwards.

The Cipotegato tradition at a festival in 2007

The city is now an important tourist destination with various restaurants and hotels.

Twin towns - sister cities

Town	State/Region	Country
Orthez	Pyrénées-Atlantiques	France

Other towns within the municipality

• Agramont
• Conchiellos
• Tortoles

See also

• Cortes of Tarazona (1592)

External links

• Comarca de Tarazona y el Moncayo (in Spanish).
• Tarazona entry at a travel site.
• "Off the Beaten Path in Tarazona, Spain: Rescuing A Corner Of The Past" by Walter Ruby, on Jewish Heritage.