Escalona

Escalona is a municipality located in the north of the province of Toledo, which in turn is part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha, Spain. According to the 2017 census (INE), the municipality has a population of 3,240 inhabitants, many of whom are settled in several housing estates outside the town itself.

Escalona
Escalona del Alberche
Flag of Escalona
Coat of arms of Escalona
Escalona is located in Castilla-La Mancha
Escalona
Escalona
Location of Escalona within Castilla-La Mancha
Coordinates: 40°10′15″N 4°24′19″W
CountrySpain
Autonomous communityCastilla-La Mancha
ProvinceToledo
ComarcaTorrijos
Judicial districtTorrijos
FoundedVer texto
Government
  AlcaldeÁlvaro Gutiérrez Prieto (2007)
Area
  Total73 km2 (28 sq mi)
Elevation
550 m (1,800 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
  Total3,199
  Density44/km2 (110/sq mi)
DemonymEscaloneros
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
45910
Dialing code925
WebsiteOfficial website

The town lies 30 metres above the right bank of the river Alberche, in the comarca of Torrijos, which is a part of the historical region of New Castile.

History

View of the Castle of Escalona rising above the Alberche river.
Castle of Escalona (2009)

Escalona's strategic location, on the Alberche river and between Avila and Toledo, suggests there may have been a fortress there in Roman times or during the Visigoth period. Following the conquest of Toledo (1085), by Alfonso VI of León and Castile, it was a key defensive point against raids by the Almoravides and Almohades that attacked the place in 1131, 1137 and, again, in 1196.[2]

The Mudéjar-style Castle of Escalona, built in the 15th century,[2] is the most characteristic building of the town.

Twin towns

Notable people

References

  1. Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. (in Spanish) Sureda Pons, Joan, ed. (1998). España Gótica: Castilla-La Mancha, pp. 142-5. Ediciones Encuentro. ISBN 8474905095. Google Books. Retrieved 15 March 2023.




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