Ourense
Encyclopedia
Ourense is a city in northwestern Spain
, the capital of the province of the same name in Galicia. Its population of 108,674 (2010) accounts for 30% of the population of the province and makes it the third largest city of Galicia.
.
In 2010 there were 5,943 foreigners living in the city, representing a 5.46% of the total population. The main nationalities are Portuguese
(18%), Colombians
(12%) and Brazilians (11%).
By language, according to 2008 data, 19% of the population speak always in Galician
, 25% speak always in Spanish
and the rest use both interchangeably .
and the presence of hot springs called the Burgas. These can still be seen today. There was also the need to fortify the place to protect one of the easiest ways to cross the Miño River. After the Romans, Ourense was part of the Suebi (Suevi) kingdom during most of the 5th, 6th, and 7th centuries and was destroyed by the Moors
in 716. It was later rebuilt by Alfonso III of Asturias about 877. The Norse invasions as well as attacks from the Arab warlord Al-Mansur
once more laid the city to waste. It was only under Sancho II
and his sister Doña Elvira that the city was resettled during 11th century. The definitive urban impulse did not arrive until the 12th century when Ourense became an important center of services.
(Miño) River in the south-central part of Galicia, at an elevation of 128 m above sea level. The city has a microclimate that brings abundant rainfall and allows for verdant vegetation on the nearby hills. Winters are mild with lows rarely falling below zero degrees Celsius. Because of the location in the river valley summers can be quite hot, often equalling temperatures of Andalucia. Many local families have apartments on the coast (Vigo
is only an hour away by car) where they can escape the heat of July and August.
The river divides a rather industrial western suburb, which contains the railroad station, from the main town. Three highway and one railroad bridge cross the river in addition to the famous Roman Bridge, which is now closed to vehicle traffic.
) and health (Ourense Hospital Complex) of reference. Construction industry is also important (Copasa, one of the biggest Galician construction companies, is headquartered in the city).
The industrial area of San Cibrao das Viñas
has many light industries including several important clothing factories, like Adolfo Dominguez
and Roberto Verino, as well as automotive supplier industries.
Tecnopole
, Technology Park of Galicia, situated in the outskirts of the city, is a 550.000 square metre area with advanced services for companies with a technological basis and high innovating profile. The following centres do their business work from the Tecnopole: the wood technological centres (CIS-Madeira), the meat technological centre (Centro Tecnolóxico da Carne), the metallurgy centre (Aimen) and the Coren Incubation Centre (CTI), the Research, Transfer and Innovation Centre (Centro de Innovación, Transferencia e Investigación or CITI) of the University of Vigo
, and the Official Laboratory of Meteorology of Galicia ( Laboratorio Oficial de Metereoloxía de Galicia or LOMG).
As a producer, Ourense is world renowned as a producer of European chestnuts (Castanea sativa).
Coren, one of the Spanish agricultural sector's most important companies, is headquartered in Ourense. The most-read province newspaper is La Región
.
The cathedral is the most important monument in Ourense. This cathedral (founded 572; rebuilt in the 13th century) is the second oldest in Galicia. It occupies the same site as the Suevian basilica that stood there in earlier times. Romanesque
in structure, but with a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles, it is rather hidden away but, contains a façade with the Door of Paradise in imitation of the Door of Glory of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
. Inside, the Capilla del Cristo, or Christ's Chapel (16th century), contains a crucifix venerated throughout Galicia.
The Miño is crossed at Ourense by one of the most remarkable bridges in Spain, the Ponte Vella (Old Bridge). With Roman foundations, it was reconstructed by Bishop Lorenzo in 1230 but frequently repaired since then; it has seven arches and a central span of 141 feet (43 m). Now closed to automobile traffic, it is worth a crossing to contemplate the swirling waters of the Miño below.
Another must is the former episcopal palace, which houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum. The collections found therein comprise an interesting series of the Bronze Age, as well as various Roman and Romanesque objects.
was the name of an argot
employed by the traditional knife-sharpeners and umbrella holders (afiadores e paragüeiros) of Ourense. It was based on the Galician language
as spoken in Ourense, but its users substituted everyday words with invented ones of no linguistic connection, making it impossible for other people to understand it.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, the capital of the province of the same name in Galicia. Its population of 108,674 (2010) accounts for 30% of the population of the province and makes it the third largest city of Galicia.
Population
The population of the city in 2010 was 108,673 inhabitants, which makes the city the third largest of GaliciaGalicia
-Geographic regions:* Galicia , an autonomous community in northwestern Spain** Gallaecia, a province of the Roman Empire** Kingdom of Galicia, a medieval kingdom**Nueva Galicia :*** Nueva Galicia, a region of New Spain, now in Mexico...
.
In 2010 there were 5,943 foreigners living in the city, representing a 5.46% of the total population. The main nationalities are Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
(18%), Colombians
Colombians
Colombians may refer to:* Citizens of Colombia, a country in South America.* Ethnic Colombians** Colombian people, persons from Colombia or of Colombian ancestry...
(12%) and Brazilians (11%).
By language, according to 2008 data, 19% of the population speak always in Galician
Galician language
Galician is a language of the Western Ibero-Romance branch, spoken in Galicia, an autonomous community located in northwestern Spain, where it is co-official with Castilian Spanish, as well as in border zones of the neighbouring territories of Asturias and Castile and León.Modern Galician and...
, 25% speak always in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and the rest use both interchangeably .
History
The origin of the town can be traced to the RomansRoman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
and the presence of hot springs called the Burgas. These can still be seen today. There was also the need to fortify the place to protect one of the easiest ways to cross the Miño River. After the Romans, Ourense was part of the Suebi (Suevi) kingdom during most of the 5th, 6th, and 7th centuries and was destroyed by the Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
in 716. It was later rebuilt by Alfonso III of Asturias about 877. The Norse invasions as well as attacks from the Arab warlord Al-Mansur
Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir
Abu Aamir Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abi Aamir, Al-Hajib Al-Mansur , better known as Almanzor, was the de facto ruler of Muslim Al-Andalus in the late 10th to early 11th centuries. His rule marked the peak of power for Moorish Iberia.-Origins:He was born Muhammad Ibn Abi Aamir, into a noble Arab...
once more laid the city to waste. It was only under Sancho II
Sancho II of Castile
Sancho II , called the Strong, or in Spanish, el Fuerte, was King of Castile and León .He was the eldest son of Ferdinand I of Castile and Sancha of León, the eventual heiress to the Leonese crown...
and his sister Doña Elvira that the city was resettled during 11th century. The definitive urban impulse did not arrive until the 12th century when Ourense became an important center of services.
Geography and climate
The ancient city of Auria is located on both banks of the MinhoMinho River
The Minho or Miño is the longest river in Galicia, Spain, with an extension of 340 km.Both names come from Latin Minius...
(Miño) River in the south-central part of Galicia, at an elevation of 128 m above sea level. The city has a microclimate that brings abundant rainfall and allows for verdant vegetation on the nearby hills. Winters are mild with lows rarely falling below zero degrees Celsius. Because of the location in the river valley summers can be quite hot, often equalling temperatures of Andalucia. Many local families have apartments on the coast (Vigo
Vigo
Vigo is a city and municipality in north-west Spain, in Galicia, situated on the ria of the same name on the Atlantic Ocean.-Population:...
is only an hour away by car) where they can escape the heat of July and August.
The river divides a rather industrial western suburb, which contains the railroad station, from the main town. Three highway and one railroad bridge cross the river in addition to the famous Roman Bridge, which is now closed to vehicle traffic.
Economy
The economy in the city of Ourense is marked by a predominance of service sector, the city has the largest shopping and leisure in the province, and administrative services (Xunta delegation, central and provincial government offices) , educational (campus of the University of VigoUniversity of Vigo
The University of Vigo is a public university located in the city of Vigo, Galicia, Spain. There are three campuses:* Lagoas-Marcosende, between the municipalities of Vigo and Mos;* A Xunqueira, in Pontevedra;* As Lagoas, in Ourense;...
) and health (Ourense Hospital Complex) of reference. Construction industry is also important (Copasa, one of the biggest Galician construction companies, is headquartered in the city).
The industrial area of San Cibrao das Viñas
San Cibrao das Viñas
San Cibrao das Viñas is a municipality in Ourense province in the Galicia region of north-west Spain. It located in the north-west of the province....
has many light industries including several important clothing factories, like Adolfo Dominguez
Adolfo Dominguez
Adolfo Domínguez Fernández is a Spanish fashion designer.-Early life and education:He was born May 14, 1950 in Ourense, Galicia in northern Spain. He studied design and cinematography in Paris, with further studies in London.-Fashion business:...
and Roberto Verino, as well as automotive supplier industries.
Tecnopole
Tecnopole
The Tecnopole is the Technology Park of Galicia , an area of 550,000 square metres with advanced services for technology-based enterprises and high innovative profile. It is located 12 kilometres far from Ourense city and it is very accessible by motorways and dual carriageways with the most...
, Technology Park of Galicia, situated in the outskirts of the city, is a 550.000 square metre area with advanced services for companies with a technological basis and high innovating profile. The following centres do their business work from the Tecnopole: the wood technological centres (CIS-Madeira), the meat technological centre (Centro Tecnolóxico da Carne), the metallurgy centre (Aimen) and the Coren Incubation Centre (CTI), the Research, Transfer and Innovation Centre (Centro de Innovación, Transferencia e Investigación or CITI) of the University of Vigo
University of Vigo
The University of Vigo is a public university located in the city of Vigo, Galicia, Spain. There are three campuses:* Lagoas-Marcosende, between the municipalities of Vigo and Mos;* A Xunqueira, in Pontevedra;* As Lagoas, in Ourense;...
, and the Official Laboratory of Meteorology of Galicia ( Laboratorio Oficial de Metereoloxía de Galicia or LOMG).
As a producer, Ourense is world renowned as a producer of European chestnuts (Castanea sativa).
Coren, one of the Spanish agricultural sector's most important companies, is headquartered in Ourense. The most-read province newspaper is La Región
La Región
La Región is a daily newspaper in the city and province of Ourense, in the Southeastern part of Galicia, an autonomous community of Spain. Founded in 1910, most of its stock still belongs to the founding Outeiriño family...
.
Sightseeing
Although mainly a town of services, Ourense is not without its tourist sites. The town has three parts: the medieval, the area of 19th-century expansion, and the modern perimeter. Many who pass by on the highway linking Madrid to Vigo are unaware of the medieval quarter, with its narrow streets and tiny plazas. Once an area of a certain dilapidated charm the area is now undergoing renovation and is full of typical restaurants and bars patronized by the university students of the town. The Plaza Mayor is the center of city life with its arcaded shops and the simple, but beautiful Town Hall.The cathedral is the most important monument in Ourense. This cathedral (founded 572; rebuilt in the 13th century) is the second oldest in Galicia. It occupies the same site as the Suevian basilica that stood there in earlier times. Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
in structure, but with a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles, it is rather hidden away but, contains a façade with the Door of Paradise in imitation of the Door of Glory of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral of the archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the reputed burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is the destination of the Way of St...
. Inside, the Capilla del Cristo, or Christ's Chapel (16th century), contains a crucifix venerated throughout Galicia.
The Miño is crossed at Ourense by one of the most remarkable bridges in Spain, the Ponte Vella (Old Bridge). With Roman foundations, it was reconstructed by Bishop Lorenzo in 1230 but frequently repaired since then; it has seven arches and a central span of 141 feet (43 m). Now closed to automobile traffic, it is worth a crossing to contemplate the swirling waters of the Miño below.
Another must is the former episcopal palace, which houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum. The collections found therein comprise an interesting series of the Bronze Age, as well as various Roman and Romanesque objects.
Barallete
BaralleteBarallete
Barallete is a largely vanished argot which used to be employed by the traditional knife-sharpeners and umbrella-repairers of the Galician province of Ourense, in Spain....
was the name of an argot
Argot
An Argot is a secret language used by various groups—including, but not limited to, thieves and other criminals—to prevent outsiders from understanding their conversations. The term argot is also used to refer to the informal specialized vocabulary from a particular field of study, hobby, job,...
employed by the traditional knife-sharpeners and umbrella holders (afiadores e paragüeiros) of Ourense. It was based on the Galician language
Galician language
Galician is a language of the Western Ibero-Romance branch, spoken in Galicia, an autonomous community located in northwestern Spain, where it is co-official with Castilian Spanish, as well as in border zones of the neighbouring territories of Asturias and Castile and León.Modern Galician and...
as spoken in Ourense, but its users substituted everyday words with invented ones of no linguistic connection, making it impossible for other people to understand it.