Villarreal

For other uses, see Villarreal (disambiguation).

Vila-real Villarreal
—  Municipality  —
Vila-real
Flag Coat of arms
Vila-real Villarreal Location in Spain
Coordinates: 39°56′16″N 0°6′5″W
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Valencian Community
Province	Castellón
Comarca	Plana Baixa
Judicial district	Vila-real
Founded	20 February 1274
Government
• Type	Mayor council government
• Body	Ajuntament de Vila-real
• Mayor	José Benlloch (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party)
Area
• Total	55.1 km2 (21.3 sq mi)
Elevation	42 m (138 ft)
Population (2010)
• Total	51,367
• Density	930/km2 (2,400/sq mi)
Demonym	Vila-realencs (in Valencian) Villarrealenses (in Spanish)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	12540
Dialing code	+34
Official language(s)	Valencian and Spanish
Website	Official website

Vila-real (Valencian pronunciation: [ˈvila reˈaɫ], Spanish: Villarreal) is a city in the province of Castellón, in the Valencian Community, Spain. Located 7 km to the south of the province's capital (Castellón de la Plana), at 42 m above sea level, it has 51,367 inhabitants (2010 data), most of them living in the urban area that covers about 10.72% of its county's 55.4 km² surface. Ranked by population, it is the second city in the province (following the capital), and fifteenth in the Valencian Community.

Economy

Villarreal's economy has evolved since the days of cultivation and trade of oranges in the last century to the manufacturing of ceramic tiles, which today is its most important source of income.

History

Belltower of St. James's Church.

It was founded on February 20, 1274 by King James I of Aragon (hence its name), to strengthen the reconquest of the area, and placed strategically on the ancient Via Augusta to 65 km from Valencia, and in the outskirts of Borriana, up to this moment town in hands of the Muslims and in whose municipal term was founded Villarreal. It was a real town from its foundation, with representation in the Valentian Parliament and Delegation of the Kingdom and it had the privilege of using like proper ensign the real standard. It was part of the real arm in the Valencian Parliament and took part very actively in the same ones.

The original town surrounded with walls, expanded outside from the 14th century due to the increase of population, in the called suburbs of Castellón and of Valencia, called later of San Pascual and of Carmen, for there were the ancient Carmelite convent and the sanctum - monastery where the remains of the holy boss rest.

The demographic and economic imbalances that characterize the 15th century were translated, to beginnings of the 16th, in constant conflicts with the Mudejars of the nearby dominions and in a short, but very active participation, in favour of the Criminal slangs.

During the 16th century, the farming land began to be extended and enhanced by drilling wells to obtain water and convert dry land into irrigated fields, making it possible to begin commercial agriculture in the 17th century. After its disastrous participation in the War of the Spanish Succession, in the second half of the 18th century, the first industries were established, mainly for textiles. Also during that time, the city became involved in various revolts and wars that shook Spanish State.

In the 19th century, the cultivation and trade of orange was introduced, which gave the town great economic progress, led both by businessmen and by farmers' associations or "cooperatives". After the Spanish State Civil War in the second half of the 20th century, the earnings obtained from the orange trade allowed several entrepreneurs to build ceramic tile factories, as a way to diversify their productive model. This type of industry has continued to expand up to the present day, and it has become Villareal's main economic activity.

Main sights

Sights in the town include:

• Saint James's Church (18th century)
• Sant Pasqual basilica.
• Plaça Major (Main Square), a square surrounded by several porticoed houses built in different periods.
• The City Museum "Casa de Polo"
• Chapel and park of Mare de Déu de Gràcia (Our Lady of Grace).

Sport

The town is home to Villarreal CF, a football club in La Liga, Spain's highest tier of football.

External links

• Official website
• Vilapedia, wiki about Vila-real, history, economy, tourist info, etc.