Albacete

For the surname, see Albacete (surname).
Albacete
City
From upper left: Fair of Albacete and Albacete Cathedral; Albacete Fairgrounds; Albacete Circus Theater, Lodares Passage, Water tank Tree Party and Altozano Square; Albacete Manufactures Flour and Albacete Bullring.

Flag
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): New York of La Mancha, City of the Cutlery
Albacete

Location in Spain

Coordinates: ES 38°59′44″N 1°51′21″W / 38.99556°N 1.85583°W / 38.99556; -1.85583Coordinates: ES 38°59′44″N 1°51′21″W / 38.99556°N 1.85583°W / 38.99556; -1.85583
Municipality Spain
Autonomous
community		 Castilla-La Mancha
Government
 • Type Mayor-council
 • Body Ayuntamiento de Albacete
 • Mayor Javier Cuenca (PP)
Area
 • Total 1,125.91 km2 (434.72 sq mi)
Elevation 686 m (2,251 ft)
Population (2013)
 • Total 172,693
 • Density 150/km2 (400/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Albacetian, Albacetene
albaceteño, -ña; albacetense (es)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 02XXX
Area code(s) +34 (ES) + 967 (AB)
Patron saints Saint John
Virgin of Los Llanos
Website albacete.com

Albacete [Spanish pronunciation: [alβaˈθete]] (Arabic: ﭐَلبَسِيط Al-Basīṭ‎‎) is a city and municipality in the Spanish autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, and capital of the province of Albacete. It is in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula, in the region known as the Meseta Central within the historic region of La Mancha, in the smaller historic region of La Mancha de Montearagón; the area around the city is known as Los Llanos. With a population of 172,487 (2014) in the municipality proper, and 219,121 in the larger metropolitan area, it is the largest city in both the province and the region of Castilla-La Mancha, and indeed one of the largest of inland Spain, being included in the 20 largest urban areas in Spain. The municipality of Albacete is also the seventh largest in Spain by area, being 1,125.91 km2 (434.72 sq mi).

Albacete is the economic and judicial capital of Castilla-La Mancha, being home to the regional High Court of Justice. The writer, novelist, essayist and literary critic Azorin described the city of Albacete in a poem as "The New York of La Mancha".[1]

The origins of the city are uncertain, with the earliest proof of settlement dating to the andalus era, when the settlement was originally named البسيط (Al-Basīt), meaning "The Flat" in the Arabic referring to the flat land around. The city increased in prominence in the early 20th century during the Spanish Civil War due its strategic importance as national headquarters of the International Brigades.

At present, Albacete is a modern capital with large areas for pedestrians and green areas. Further its flat area and the elimination of architectural barriers have also led it to be one of the most accessible cities across the country,[2] with better quality of life and one of the safest.[3]

The entertainment is one of the hallmarks of the capital of Albacete, with large areas of party as La Zona, El Campus or Los Titis hosting thousands of albaceteños and visitors throughout the year, highlighting their hectic and very active day and night life by enjoying famous throughout Spain. Other of its attractions in this regard are the traditional Tascas de la Feria or the castizo outdoor market of Los Invasores.

Albacete is a commercial and industrial city par excellence, reflected in its extensive commercial area that includes more than 556 723 people from 154 municipalities. Its privileged location, halfway between Madrid and Mediterranean coast, makes it the main logistical hub and communications Southeast Spain, with great connections by motorways and by rail (including services AVE) and air through your airport which connects points of the Spanish geography.

The city has many festivals and traditions, among which we would highlight the Feria de Albacete, declared International Tourist Interest,[4] which is held from September 7 to 17 in honor of the Virgin of Los Llanos, the Fiestas de San Juan de Albacete, the Albacete Easter or Carnival Albacete, as well as numerous events of regional, national and international character like International FIM CEV Championship in Circuito de Albacete, the International Circus Festival, the International Film Festival Abycine, the Biennial of Art City of Albacete, the National Theatre Awards Pepe Isbert, AB Fashion Day, the Fair Performing Arts Castilla-La Mancha or Expovicaman, among many others, and even trade fairs and exhibitions.

The industry is one of the pillars of the city. Albacete is home to major multinationals and has five large industrial zones, including Campollano, which is the largest industrial area of Castilla-La Mancha and one of the largest in Spain. Higher education and research are another major development areas of the city, highlighting the University of Castilla-La Mancha, the Biomedical Campus of Albacete and the Technology Park of Albacete.

The aviation industry is one of the main economic engines of the city. Albacete hosts the School of TLP NATO pilots, Los Llanos Air Base, Ala 14 and the Air Maestranza Albacete, the most important of Spain. In addition, the city houses the Air and Logistic Park of Albacete, home to major companies.

Identifying elements

Toponym

The toponym of "Albacete" is derived from the Andalusian name for the area, the city having been originally called البسيط Al-Basit, in Arabic, which translates to "the plain" in reference to the plateau that characterizes the geography of the area.[5]

Pascual Madoz in his famous Diccionario geográfico-estadístico-histórico de España y sus posesiones de Ultramar (Geographical-historical-statistical Dictionary of Spain and its overseas territories) indicates that two hypotheses about the toponym of Albacete are probable.[6] In the first place he highlights the proposal suggested by Bernardo Espinalt y Garcia, who believes that the city was founded by the Cilicians, who called it "Celtide" relying on Liutprando de Cremona, "in Hispaniam venientes Celtide vocaverunt hunc locum, quem vocan Albacene corrupte mauri (in Spain this place is called Celtide, which the Moors called Albacene incorrectly)". The second hypothesis states that its origin may be the "Alaba" of the Celtiberians, mentioned by Plinio y Ptolemy, which could result in "Alba civitas", which later became Albacete.

Demonym

The most common adjective used to describe the inhabitants of the town of Albacete is albacetense or, albaceteño/a, without prejudice to the demonyms used for the inhabitants of the various population centers that make up the area such as the aguanueveros (inhabitants of Agua Nuevo) or colonos for the neighboring Aguas Nuevas inhabitants (among others).

Symbols

The Shield of Albacete

According to a resolution adopted by the Plenary Council, in a session held on February 28, 1986, the shield of Albacete is described as follows: "The city of Albacete has as its shield: three towers neatly arranged on a silver background with battlements, of stone, saber embroidered in azure, clarified and surmounted by a saber-bat with outstretched wings positioned at the top. It is stamped with a Marquis crown, which is gold with stones and pearls, with eight rosettes (four numbered and the other in pyramids of three pearls, one is visible with two halves of the first kind and intercroppings of the second two)."

But the agreement contained a typo, and saying "three towers well ordered", which heraldically would mean two towers above and one below. on being one above and two below, the descriptions should read "three towers wrongly ordered."

Later the Official Journal of Castilla-La Mancha published on January 13, 1987, Decree 137/86 of December 30, from the Presidency and Government of the Community Board,[7] which approved the amendment of the Heraldic Shield of the City of Albacete, without making corrections to the description of the ordering of the towers.

Flag

According to the resolution adopted by the City Council plenary in a session dated April 30, 1992, the City Council acknowledged the Order of the Ministry of Public Administration, dated March 9 of that year, through which the municipality of Albacete was granted a flag, with the following description:

"crimson red canvas, dimensions 90 cm × 155 cm (35 in × 61 in) with the Albacete Shield encamped in the center, according to the amendment by Decree 137/86 of 30 December. The dimensions of the Shield are 40 cm (16 in) high, excluding the Crown and 56 cm (22 in) if included, with a width of 30 cm (12 in) ".

Anthem

The anthem was launched on September 8, 1926, day of the Virgin of Los Llanos (patron saint of the city), in what was referred to as the "Provincial Anthem feast", which took place at the Plaza de Toros in the Albacete capital. The Municipal Band of Albacete and Spanish Infantry Regiment, among others, performed at this event.

On the night of San Juan in 1975 (day of the patron of the city), the song was re-released at the Teatro Circo de Albacete by the Albacete Municipal Band and the La Mancha Choir, becoming a hallmark of the capital.

Capital status

Provincial Palace, home of the Council of Albacete.
View Town Hall Albacete, home of the City of Albacete.

The nineteenth century marked the development of the city, given that in 1833 the province of Albacete had been created with territories from the former territories of Cuenca, Murcia and La Mancha, Albacete being accorded the rank of capital.[8]

The following year, in 1834 the Albacete Court was established to exercise jurisdiction over a large territory that comprised the provinces of Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Murcia and the aforementioned Albacete, and which would be the antecedent to the current legal capital of Castilla-La Mancha after the adoption of autonomous state in the last quarter of the twentieth century, the city being the seat of the High Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha,[9] according to article 23 of the Statute of Autonomy of the Community.

Justice

High Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha.

Albacete is home to the High Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha (TSJCLM), the highest court of the autonomous region. The president of the Superior Court is Vicente Manuel Rouco Rodríguez, which is the highest representative of judiciary to Castilla-La Mancha. The High Court, established in 1989, based on the Palace of Justice in Albacete, is divided into three rooms: the Chamber of Civil and Criminal, the Board of Administrative Litigation and the Room social.

The city also hosts the Institute of Legal Medicine of Albacete, Cuenca and Guadalajara, whose scope corresponds to homonymous provinces. Moreover, the Manchego capital is the seat of Bar Council of Castilla-La Mancha and Notary Association of Castilla-La Mancha.

The long legal tradition of Albacete goes back to 1834, when the Territorial Court of Albacete (predecessor of the High Court), which extended its jurisdiction over the provinces of Albacete was created Ciudad Real and Cuenca and the Murcia.

The city also has a Provincial Court and head judicial district of Albacete, the judicial No. 1 province, whose demarcation comprises the city and over 15 municipalities, mainly of metropolitan area, which adds a Dean.

The legal infrastructure is completed by two courts Administrative Litigation three trial courts, juvenile court, one for violence against women, three of Criminal Seven of First Instance, three social courts. In this sense we must bear in mind that the Autonomous Community of Castilla La Mancha does not exercise the powers in justice. All courts of the city unless the Superior Court of Castilla-La Mancha will be based in the new City of Justice in Albacete.

In addition, on the outskirts of the city is the Albacete Prison, known as The Prison Torrecica, established in 1981, and the Center for Children Albaidel, born in 1993.

Defense

The city of Albacete is first order concerning military and defense facilities, housing important institutions nationally and internationally as the Pilot School TLP NATO, Los Llanos Air Base, 14 Wing's or Air Arsenal Albacete, generating thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. Also, very close to it is situated the National Training Center Chinchilla, linked to the city.

School TLP NATO pilots

Aircraft Air Force F-15C US in TLP, based in Albacete.

The TLP (Tactical Leadership Programme officially) is an international center for advanced training for pilots and crews in order to improve the operability and effectiveness of Allied Air Forces. In addition to the workshops flight (both day and night), theoretical courses for staff of the three armies of both countries outside NATO and the Alliance has also developed, and assists in the development of air doctrine. It has a permanent staff of over 100 people of all member countries and their courses involve the deployment of 3,000 troops a year in the city. It has received an investment of over 32 million in recent years in infrastructure and equipment in Albacete.

Los Llanos Air Base

Mirage 2000-5F Army Air France next to a hangar of the Air Maestranza Albacete.

The Los Llanos Air Base of Los Llanos is a major air bases in Spain, which is deployed Wing 14 and the most advanced aircraft of the Air Force, like the Eurofighter Typhoon, one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world . It is a small town where they work more than 1000 people.

Wing 14

Wing 14 is one of the military units of the Air Force of Spain. Equipped with, among others, the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, whose main function is carrying out air missions. It has two squadrons: 141 Squadron and 142 Squadron.

Air Maestranza Albacete

Albacete's Air Arsenal is the most important of Spain. Its mission is the maintenance of aircraft of the Air Force at the highest level. Its facilities occupy an area of over 470,000 square metres (5,059,038 square feet). It has more than 600 workers.

National Training Center Chinchilla

Linked to the city is the National Training Center Chinchilla Army of Spain, located east of the capital, in the neighboring town of Chinchilla de Montearagón. The center, which includes a complex set of facilities and means of simulation, training serves three armies military personnel as well as the Forces of State Security. It is one of the two National Training Centres of Spain.

History

Numerous remains Iberian have been found in the town of Albacete.

The origins of the city are uncertain, although the first few confirmations of its existence are found during the Moorish domination of the area. The earliest documentation is from 1269, when Albacete was only a small village, dependent on the borough of Chinchilla. Before that, it had been a small Moorish village. Its name is derived from the Arabic البسيط Al-Basīṭ, "El Llano" ("the plain") referring to the planiform nature of the geography of the area.. It was taken by Christian troops in 1241 and was under the dominion of Alarcon.

Around the first third of the 14th century, in the time of the famous writer Don Juan Manuel, prince of Villena, who was the governor of Murcia and, therefore the Lord of these lands, the village began to develop and its population to increase. In 1375 it was considered a borough and became independent of Chinchilla, and a century later, in 1476, the Catholic Monarchs rewarded Albacete for supporting the Crown by granting it a licence to hold a market once a week.

During the Revolt of the Comuneros (1520–22), after initial protests, Albacete supported the new emperor Charles V who, in 1526, granted the feudal estate of the town to his wife, the Empress Isabella of Portugal. During this period, building started on the church of San Juan Bautista (St John the Baptist), which was later to become a cathedral.

Albacete in the 18th century.
In 1710 Felipe V granted the city the privilege of hosting a frank fair. In the picture, the Iron Gate of Fairground Albacete.

Albacete is located in a strategic position between Madrid and the east coast of Spain and its agricultural wealth led to the growth of the borough during the next few centuries until Philip V granted permission for an annual fair (1710). This fair was later held in an enclosure built by Charles III (1783).

The arrival of the railway in 1855 was a catalyst for the growth of the city. In the picture, the Locomotive Mikado Albacete located in Linear Park.

The railway reached Albacete in 1855, and the Madrid‑Alicante route passed through the town. Later, Albacete was also connected by rail to Cartagena. In 1862, Isabel II granted Albacete the title of town. Street electric lighting was inaugurated in 1888, thus being the first capital of a province in Spain with electric lighting in its streets.

Throughout the 19th century, the population of the town doubled from the 10,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the century to around 21,000 by the beginning of the 20th century. During this period, Albacete defended Queen Isabel II against the Carlists (the supporters of Charles, the pretender to the Spanish throne), supported Espartero and, just like other Spanish cities, constituted a revolutionary junta. During the long period of the Restoration (1875–1923), symptoms of caciquismo (or "boss politics," a system of dominance by a local party leader) invaded the political and social life of Albacete.

Cutler, a sculpture that pays tribute to this important sector in the history of the capital.

Between 1900 and the end of the Spanish Civil War (1939), the population tripled. A number of basic public works date back to that time: the water supply and sewer system (1905), the Abelardo Sanchez Park (1910–23), Tesifonte Gallego Street and the Industrial area of the town. During the Spanish Civil War (1935–39), after a brief lapse in the power of the troops who had rebelled against the Republican government, the town fell back into the hands of Madrid. For most of the war, the airbase at Los Llanos was the main headquarters of the Republican air force. It was also the headquarters of the International Brigades (supporters of the Republican cause from other countries who fought in the Spanish Civil war) and a monument has been built recently to commemorate the sixty years' anniversary of those events. The first volume of Peter Weiss' novel The Aesthetics of Resistance is located in Albacete's Civil War days hospital "Cueva La Potita".

In the time of the transition to democracy, the two most significant events were the establishment in Albacete in 1982 of the High Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha, Casa de Quevedo, and the consolidation of the University, which brought new life to the town in 1985.

Modern age

Albacete has become the most important town in the Castilla-la Mancha region, with unparalleled services and industrial activity, due to its position on the excellent train and highway communications that link Madrid to the eastern coast of Spain.

The university has 10,000 students that feed a lot of clubs, bars and tapas restaurants. During summer nights, thousands of people visit Tascas de la Feria to eat regional dishes.

In September, the Feria de Albacete (town festival) transforms the city for ten days. A great many visitors fill the city streets, and the population increases fivefold.

Demographics

Albacete is, broadly, the largest city in Castilla-La Mancha.

With 172 487 inhabitants as of January 1, 2014, according to data from the INE, Albacete is the most populous city in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, the city with the highest number of people in the South Submeseta after Madrid and one of the inner cities most populated Spain.

Demographic trends drawn historically sustained growth slowed somewhat in the 1950s, and very strong in recent years (+71% between 1970 and 2005, and 13% between 2000 and 2008). In 1999 there was segregation and subsequent emancipation of Pozo Cañada of the municipality of Albacete, establishing itself as an independent municipality.

Of the total 172  487 people surveyed in 2014, 10 851 were foreign nationals, representing 6.3% of the total. These immigrants come from all continents, the most numerous colonies of Romanian nationality (1 743), Bolivia (1 207), Morocco (1 074) and Colombia (974).

According to the Gazetteer of 2013, the municipality in addition to the capital city-the city of Albacete it includes a smaller local organization (Aguas Nuevas) and sixteen rural areas (The Salobral, Santa Ana, Bacariza, Argamasón, Tinajeros, Campillo of Doblas, The Anguijes, Abuzaderas, Cerrolobo, Casa de las Monjas, House Captain, Great House, Los Llanos, The Pulgosa, The Torrecica and Villar de Pozo Rubio).

Extension Albacete metropolitan area for the Province.

For some years it is producing a demographic phenomenon around the city of Albacete, called Metropolitan area attraction which currently encompasses a population of 219 121 inhabitants between the city and nearby, and with strong growth stocks, whose projections for 2020 estimate that exceeds 300 000, because it is one of the areas with the highest growth projection and expansion throughout the southeast Spanish.

The metropolitan area of Albacete consists of Albacete and fourteen other near the capital municipalities: La Roda, Tarazona de la Mancha, Burrows, Chinchilla de Monte-Aragon, Pozo Cañada, La Gineta, Balazote, Barrax, Valdeganga, Mahora, Motilleja, Fuensanta, La Herrera and Montalvos.

The adjective used to describe the inhabitants of the town of Albacete is "albacetian" or "albacetene"

Geography

Climate

Albacete has a continental mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa). Winters are cold while summers are hot. Winters and summers are usually dry. Because of the continental nature of the climate there is a large temperature variation during the year. Precipitation is low and mainly concentrated in spring and autumn usually falling in the form of rain, but there is occasional snow.

Climate data for Albacete Base Area 702m (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 21.8
(71.2)		 25.4
(77.7)		 30.0
(86)		 32.5
(90.5)		 36.7
(98.1)		 39.6
(103.3)		 42.6
(108.7)		 42.0
(107.6)		 39.0
(102.2)		 33.4
(92.1)		 29.0
(84.2)		 21.2
(70.2)		 42.6
(108.7)
Average high °C (°F) 10.5
(50.9)		 12.5
(54.5)		 16.3
(61.3)		 18.4
(65.1)		 22.8
(73)		 29.1
(84.4)		 33.2
(91.8)		 32.3
(90.1)		 27.0
(80.6)		 20.6
(69.1)		 14.5
(58.1)		 10.9
(51.6)		 20.7
(69.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.2
(41.4)		 6.8
(44.2)		 9.8
(49.6)		 11.9
(53.4)		 16.1
(61)		 21.4
(70.5)		 25.0
(77)		 24.6
(76.3)		 20.3
(68.5)		 14.8
(58.6)		 9.2
(48.6)		 6.0
(42.8)		 14.3
(57.7)
Average low °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6)		 1.0
(33.8)		 3.3
(37.9)		 5.4
(41.7)		 9.2
(48.6)		 13.8
(56.8)		 16.9
(62.4)		 16.8
(62.2)		 13.5
(56.3)		 8.9
(48)		 4.0
(39.2)		 1.2
(34.2)		 7.8
(46)
Record low °C (°F) −24.0
(−11.2)		 −22.5
(−8.5)		 −10.4
(13.3)		 −5.4
(22.3)		 −1.0
(30.2)		 3.0
(37.4)		 7.5
(45.5)		 5.0
(41)		 1.0
(33.8)		 −6.3
(20.7)		 −8.4
(16.9)		 −18.8
(−1.8)		 −24.0
(−11.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 21
(0.83)		 25
(0.98)		 27
(1.06)		 40
(1.57)		 43
(1.69)		 35
(1.38)		 9
(0.35)		 11
(0.43)		 34
(1.34)		 42
(1.65)		 34
(1.34)		 31
(1.22)		 353
(13.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 4 5 5 6 6 3 1 2 4 5 5 5 50
Average relative humidity (%) 77 71 63 60 55 49 44 49 59 70 76 80 63
Mean monthly sunshine hours 153 165 217 241 271 318 358 324 253 201 152 134 2,787
Source: Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia[10]
Canal de María Cristina.

Location

The city is located in the southeast of the plain of La Mancha at an elevation of about 686m. The local soil is low in organic matter and at risk, although slight, of erosion.

Economy

The world's leading manufacturer of helicóperos Airbus Helicopters has its headquarters in Spain in Air and Logistic Park of Albacete.

Albacete is the premier economy of Castilla-La Mancha. The city currently bases its economy on the trade and services sector, being head of an extensive sales area of over 556,723 people from 154 municipalities scattered throughout the provinces of Albacete, Cuenca, Ciudad Real, Jaén, Alicante, Valencia and Murcia.

The city of Albacete has extensive industrial areas like the Business Park Campollano or Industrial Estate Romica, and also industrial estates in the Automotive (Ajusa Business Park), the Aeronautics and Logistics Park of Albacete and the Science and Technology Park. There are additionally several parks nearby towns in the metropolitan area.

El Corte Inglés of the Avenue of Spain.

Commercial activity is very important for the city and Albacete is the commercial capital of Castilla-La Mancha. Albacete has a long history as a city of business from the first half of the fourteenth century, partly through its agricultural and farming fair which became a meeting point for people of the southeast Spanish. Its geographical location and its good connections, coupled with the entrepreneurial character of its inhabitants have increased this capacity. It has a large and interesting exhibition calendar (Trade Fair of Albacete, IFAB) and a modern Congress Hall.

Education

The Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, located in the Biomedical Campus, is one of the most prestigious of Spain.

The city of Albacete facility has three universities, which offer a total of 41 different degrees:

Albacete hosts the Superior Conservatory of Music of Castilla-La Mancha, in which the higher teachings (equivalent to university) music.

Panoramic view of the University Square of University of Castilla-La Mancha.

Health

Hospital General Universitario de Albacete.
Hospital Universitario del Perpetuo Socorro de Albacete.

The public health system is managed by the Health Service of Castilla-La Mancha (SESCAM), which reports functionally to the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, this matter being the exclusive competence of the region.

The hospital network is basically composed of public hospitals managed by the SESCAM and other hospital privately run medical centers:

Tourism and heritage

Architecture

Civil architecture

Interior Lodares Passage, historical modernist gallery of the first quarter of the twentieth century.
Casas Cabot in Marqués de Molins Street.

Albacete civil architectural heritage include the works carried out at the end of XIX century and early twentieth centuries, as its status as capital of the province and the arrival of the railroad marked a turning point in the demographic and urban growth of the city .

But there were already some important buildings of its kind in the city among which is the Posada del Rosario (XVI century), typical Manchego mansion where Gothic, Mudejar and Renaissance styles meet, and today has become office Tourism and university library, Perona House (s. XVII) today headquarters of the Delegation of Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, the fairgrounds, opened in 1783, and becomes the capital of La Mancha the only city in Spain with an exhibition dedicated to this purpose, and has undergone several expansions.

In the nineteenth century there will be a need to provide the city of administrativos and cultural buildings, why after 1880 the Palace of the Provincial de Albacete, the Circus (1887) Theatre will be created, one of the few examples dedicated to such functions worldwide, or Marlo House Building.

The result of the strength of the bourgeoisie albacetense early twentieth century, Modernist architectural movement will be making their mark in the center of the capital, erecting buildings like the Casa del Hortelano, built in 1912 and now houses the Museum of Cutlery . From this period also dates the old City Hall, now the Municipal Museum of Albacete, built in 1902.

Gradually be raising the most emblematic buildings of the twentieth century as the Jubany Cabot House (1922), the Legorburo Building (1919), Hotel Regina (1919), Grand Hotel (1905), the flour mill (1916), the Building Sub Defense (1920), the building of the Red Cross (1921), BBVA Building (1920), the Chamber of Notaries (1925), the Fontecha chalet (1925), the College of Architects (1925), the Former Commissioner Simon Abril (1929), the Pious Schools of Albacete (1930), the Casino Primitivo (1927), the building of the Bank of Spain (1936), The Union Building and the Phoenix (1960), the Hotel Los Llanos (1969), the Palace of Justice in Albacete (1980), the Government Pavilion Building or José Prat (1993) or the Cultural Center Eixample (1995), but without doubt the most recognized work in the city early century Gabriel Lodares Passage, a shopping arcade linking the Mayor and Dye streets (built in 1925), designed by Buenaventura Ferrando Castell, and together with the Pasaje Gutierrez of Valladolid, are the only two remaining examples in Spain such galleries.

Other prominent buildings of the twentieth century are the Bancaja building, the Banesto building, the Casa de Doña Filomena Flores or Montecasino.

XXI century buildings such as El Corte Ingles, the station Albacete-Los Llanos, the Congress Palace, the Hotel Beatriz, the European Centre for Business Innovation Albacete, Hotel Santa Isabel, the House of Culture José Saramago, Airport Terminal Albacete, the Informatics Research Institute, the Center for Entrepreneurship, the Multipurpose Building of the University of Castilla-La Mancha or the Commissioner of the National Police.

Religious architecture

Retreat House of Albacete.

The city has numerous examples of religious architecture of different styles, such as Fatima Church, Monastery of the Incarnation, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Oratory of San Felipe Neri, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Cathedral San Juan, Church of Our Lady of Pilar, the Diocesan Seminary of Albacete, the Church of Santa Teresa, the Chapel of the Virgen de Los Llanos, the Church of the Assumption, the Retreat House of Albacete, the Church of St. Joseph, the Church of Piarists, the Holy Angel, the Ave Maria Church, the Church of St. Peter, the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord and the Church of Santo Domingo

Monuments and places of interest

Water Tank Tree Party, lighthouse and symbol of the city.
Iron Gate of Albacete.
Cathedral of San Juan.
Plaza de Toros de Albacete, influence moorish.
Fountain of the Frogs.
Interior Posada del Rosario, typically manchego building of XVI century.
Monastery of the Incarnation, temple renaissance end of XV century.
Castle of Chinchilla around Albacete.

Most of the sights of Albacete are inside the center ring or first ring of the city, mainly surrounded by the Ring of Albacete and the Paseo de la Cuba and the Linear Park of Albacete. Altozano Square, located in downtown, is one of the most important hubs of Albacete. It contains many attractions of the capital of Albacete and the Municipal Museum, the Grand Hotel, the Jardines del Altozano, Altozano bomb shelters, the Justice Palace (seat of the High Court of Castilla-La Mancha) or Capitol Cinema. In this place they born five blocks.

The Marqués de Molins emblematic streets and Tesifonte Gallego, collectively known as Broad Street, leading from the Plaza del Altozano south of the city. In these remarkable places like the Chamber of Notaries, the Chalet Fontecha, the Cabot House, Building Banesto, Montecasino, the Legorburo Building, the BBVA building, the Casino Primitivo Albacete or Bancaja building, among others they are located. Broad Street intersects with numerous emblematic streets of the city center, as the street Conception, one of the main pillars in the area, the largest area of leave the city, comprising numerous streets and squares of the capital; Main Street, one of the most commercial and busy streets of Albacete, which ends in the historic square, where you can catch outstanding historic streets as street or tunnel Shoemakers Villacerrada; Tint or street, which are points of interest such as the Lodares Passage or the Posada del Rosario, Villacerrada way, and Tejares Street, the Plaza de San José and the Church of St. Joseph, road Carretas Square, towards the central neighborhood Carretas-Huerta March, where, among other places, are the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Deposits del Sol and the Plaza del Sol Deposits.

Broad Street ends at the Plaza de Gabriel Lodares, hangout emblematic as the Abelardo Sanchez Park, Palace Casa Marlo, Sanatorium Arturo Ortiz Cortes, MCC Building, Plaza de San José de Calasanz or major streets the city and the Paseo Simon Abril, Octavio Cuartero Street or Avenue of Spain, along which highlights as the Bachelor Institute Sabuco, the Civil Government (headquarters of the central government representation in Albacete), the hotel is located Los Llanos park fountain in the Plaza Benjamín Palencia, El Corte Ingles in Spain Avenue, the Estadio Carlos Belmonte or Campus Zone.

Abelardo Sanchez Park, the largest of Castilla-La Mancha, is the real heart of the city center. In it and in its vicinity are numerous tourist attractions of the capital as the Archaeological Museum of Albacete, the Oratory of San Felipe Neri, Plaza San Felipe Neri, leisure centers of the capital of Albacete, or the former Commissioner Simon April in addition to those located on the Avenue of Spain.

From the Plaza del Altozano, down the street Francisco Fontecha, accedes to the Constitution Square, presided over by the monument to Isabel of Portugal. West of the square of the Constitution is accessed via a staircase, the Virgin of Los Llanos Square in an old hill, chaired by the Triumph of the Virgin of Los Llanos and where the south façade of lies Cathedral of Albacete.

The streets Martinez Villena, San Julian and fair lead from the Plaza del Altozano west of the city, passing by places like the Plaza de la Catedral, in which are located the Cathedral of Albacete, the Town Hall, the Casa del Hortelano, home of the Museum of Cutlery in Albacete, or the Park of San Juan. In this regard places like the Monastery of the Incarnation, the Perona House, the Ateneo de Albacete, the Molino de la Feria, the Paseo de la Feria, one of the most important centers of the city, the park is situated Jardinillos, the Booth Jardinillos, the former Iron Gate of Albacete, the Plaza de Toros de Albacete, the suburbs of the Fair or the fairgrounds in Albacete, which are emblematic places like the Iron Gate, the PA Fair or the Chapel of the Virgen de Los Llanos. Later in this sense, outside the central area, other landmarks of the city such as Manchego Park Tree Festival or water tanks appear the Tree Festival.

The Paseo de la Libertad leads from the Place of the Hill to the north of the city. In the Paseo de la Libertad notable buildings such as the Provincial Palace Hotel Regina Albacete or lie. The route crosses the street Isaac Peral, where the Teatro Circo de Albacete is located. The Paseo de la Libertad ends at the Plaza of The Sower, which are landmarks such as The Sower, the Fountain of the Frogs, the Child Fuente de la Oca, the Linear Park and the Tower of the Ministry of Education. Throughout the Linear Park highlights as the flour mill, the locomotive Mikado Albacete, Paseo of the Planets or the wooden bridge they are located.

San Agustin street leading from the Plaza del Altozano east of the city. In this sense are places like the Palace of Justice, The Zone, bow tie or Cross Term.

Avenues Isabel the Catholic and Ramon Menéndez Pidal and its surroundings are one of the most important hubs of the city. These two consecutive avenues jointly host one of the most emblematic of La Mancha city boulevards. In other highlights this area as La Veleta, the Plaza de Isabel II, the square Tamos or marmosets are located.

Among the Abelardo Sanchez Park West and South Fairgrounds Albacete, in the downtown area, is the Eixample, one of the largest, populated and busiest commercial areas of the capital of Albacete. Eixample is home to many attractions of the city such as the church of Fatima (Fatima), the church of St. Francis of Assisi (on Franciscans, the most populous district of Albacete), cheap houses, the monumental housing market cheap, Pablo Picasso Square, the Holy Angel or the Cultural Center Eixample.

Outside the central area they include places like castizo and historic Santa Teresa, home to several important sites in the capital and the church of Santa Teresa, the Diocesan Seminary of Albacete and the Retreat House.

On the other hand, while outside the city of Albacete, there are other places in your environment that, due to the short distance of the city, are closely related to it. An example of this is the Castle of Chinchilla.

Gardens, parks and natural environments

The Abelardo Sanchez Park is the largest urban park in Castilla-La Mancha.
Suburban Parque La Pulgosa.
Water Tanks Tree Festival in Park Tree Festival.
Templet Park Jardinillos.
St. Anthony Polygon Park.
The Albacete Linear Park has more than 3 km (2 mi) in length.

Albacete is a city of Spain with a larger area of parkland. In 2010 there were 1,318,672 square metres (14,194,067 square feet) in the city dedicated to green areas, implying a ratio of 7.3 m2 (79 sq ft) per inhabitant.

Apart from squares, gardens and other parks scattered throughout the city, we must highlight the following parks:

In addition, the city has an extensive network of trails and natural areas. In this regard highlights the natural path of Maria Cristina Canal, that following enlargement in its different phases currently has 47.9 kilometres (29.8 miles). With regard to the most important natural areas they are:

Culture and art

Museums and galleries

Entrance to Albacete Archaeological Museum in Abelardo Sanchez Park.
Home Cortés, home of the Municipal Museum of Albacete.
Casa del Hortelano, home of the Museum of Cutlery Albacete.
Pedagogical Museum and Children of Castilla-La Mancha.

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Entrance to Botanical Garden of Castilla-La Mancha.
Museums
Exhibit space
Cultural Center Eixample, cultural center located in the Eixample of La Mancha city.

The city also has many exhibition halls and cultural centers trying different cultural aspects, such as the Caja Castilla-La Mancha Cultural Centre, the Exhibition Hall of the Official College of Architects and Quantity Surveyors Albacete, the Alusearte, the Assumption Cultural Center, Gallery Art Gallery Magnus, the Exhibition Hall ACDA, the House of Culture José Saramago or Center Cultural Eixample.

Theatres

Albacete Circus Theater.

The city of Albacete has many scenic areas, among them:

Festivities

Albacete Fair

Night image of the Fair Albacete, which receives over 2 million visitors.

From September 7 to 17, the Fair Albacete, It is the "biggest party" Albacete calendar. In 2010, the third anniversary of the declaration of free fair was held by Felipe V, although it several centuries ago and celebrated is held in honor of the patron saint of the city, the Virgin of Los Llanos, and is accompanied by one of the most important bullfights calendar national.

The 7th begins in the afternoon with the Parade Albacete Fair, a parade of floats from the Plaza de Gabriel Lodares through Iron Gate of Fairground, after which the opening of the same takes place. Since then, and for ten days, they are held numerous recreational, cultural and sports activities throughout the city, but especially concentrated around Paseo de la Feria, the Fairground and surroundings (so-called string), where attractions of all types and booths of all associations are based.

Feast of San Juan

Torchlight procession of the Feast of San Juan.

In the days before June 24, the feast of John the Baptist pattern of Albacete, the festival is held in his honor. These are accompanied by cultural, sporting and leisure activities in various parts of the city.

The highlight of the festivities take place on June 24 and yesterday, the Midsummer (June 23 to 24). That night is held torchlight parade from City Hall to the Ejidos Fair, where catches fire in the Bonfire of San Juan, where old belongings and burn stuff. Then a big castle fireworks and a festival in the Fairground is performed.

Finally, on 24 it carries out a pilgrimage in which he moved to San Juan from the Cathedral to the Park Tree Festival.

Easter

Between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is held in Albacete Easter, in which the various brotherhoods in processions through the city, accompanied by the steps and the touch of bugles and drums.

Year after year, the Albacete Easter has gained more prestige, having been classified as Regional Tourist interest . The best processions are held: on Holy Thursday at 12 pm (Procession of Silence) and Holy Burial held on Good Friday.

Carnival

The day before the Ash Wednesday Thursday celebrates the Day Mona, where traditionally families will eat the mona to Park the Tree Festival or suburban park of The Pulgosa, where also children's activities are held.

The weekend before Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent) is celebrated on Carnival, with costume parades and contests jokes.

Finally, Ash Wednesday is celebrated Burial of the Sardine, in which a fault shaped sardine (Doña Sardina) is transferred with mourners from the Plaza de Gabriel Lodares to Place of the Hill, where he is tried, convicted and burned.

Other celebrations

Bullfighting

Albacete Bullring, for up to 12 000 spectators.

The bullfighting is deeply rooted in the city of Albacete. Among other issues, the livestock sector has enough presence in the province, where farms are important as Samuel Flores, Las Ramblas, El Pizarral, Los Chospes, Sonia Gonzalez or Ruiz Yagüe.

The city has a school of bullfighting, the Bullfighting School of Albacete, where some of the bullfighters of the future are formed, and an important Albacete Bullring, second administrative category (although bullfighting events held more than most first bullrings), with a capacity of 12 000 spectators, where the main shows held during the Bullfighting Albacete in the month of September, which brings together for ten days leading figures in the bullfighting world, with a significant presence of Castilian-La Mancha bullfighters. Given its large bullfighting tradition, Albacete in 2015 he hosted the First International Congress of bullfighting].

We also noticed the celebration every year of heifers and traditional Corrida de Asprona, to benefit the Association for the Care of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families The Province of Albacete, in which high bullfighters participate.

Meanwhile, in the city of Albacete they were born some great bullfighters like Damaso Gonzalez, or more currently Manuel Amador, Manuel Caballero and Miguel Shopkeeper.

Crafts

Albacete typical craft knife.

Albacete craftsmanship is closely linked to the knife since the fifteenth century, and features a wide variety of ways that relate to their specific use. Typical Albacete knife has a spring mechanism or ratchet that differentiate it from the rest. The passing of time has shaped and diversified manufacturing the same, leading to the production of scissors, knives, daggers and scalpels currently up for medicine. Currently the knife industry has modernized and moved largely to the industrial areas of the city, competing with the Asian market. From the union between Albacete and cutlery acquis is the saying that the knife Albacete not give away, the friend sold at a symbolic price, so do not cut friendship . " The history of Albacete cutlery can be visited at the Museum of Cutlery Albacete. Craft fairs as the Craft Fair of Castilla-La Mancha or Artisan Cutlery Albacete Fair held annually in the capital of Albacete.

Gastronomy

Migas rurelas, Albacete typical cuisine dish.

Albacete cuisine is rich and varied, where traditional Spanish cuisine is fused with the Levantine influences and Mancha.

It stresses the dish of Gazpachos Mancha with game meat, the breadcrumbs ruleras, pastor porridge (with fresh bacon and pebbles or millet flour), the manchego ratatouille or wet during the summer time, combining tomato and pepper, beans with partridge or popular atascaburras whose base is the egg, oil and cod, and which dates back to lous cold winters La Mancha Albacete, as well as the garlic mataero. Albacete cuisine is based on the finest ingredients such as meat manchego lamb (which has a PGI) and the manchego cheese (that is name of protected source) or wines (DO La Mancha, DO Almansa, OJ Manchela), whose derivatives create delight diners as crook, the zurracapote, the Marc or dove.

As for desserts, the most important is the miguelitos La Roda, flowers and chips, made from flour, eggs, sunflower oil, sugar, dry anise and rosemary honey , which derives dessert Albacete phrase that when all goes well "as is hunky-dory," must buns, sighs...

Transport

Urban Bus Regulatory Albacete making a stop in the center of Albacete.
Tourist Bus Albacete, during the celebration of the third anniversary of the Fair.
Main entrance of the Albacete-Los Llanos Station.
Terminal Albacete Airport.

Road network

Its strategic location midway between the center of the peninsula, near Levante and Andalusia, makes the city is erected as one of the most important communications hubs southeast Spanish, with motorways to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Toledo, Ciudad Real and Murcia (in a few years also Jaen, and Teruel via Cuenca).

City buses

The city has 10 lines of bus urban (7 of them daily). The buses have a red and white corporate color. Albacete capital currently has 28 vehicles. One of the buses is the model "Labobús", i.e. a modern vehicle with cutting-edge data storage and powered by solar panels. The stop frequency time is 11 minutes a day most lines. The extensive municipality of Albacete has regular bus lines that connect the city from the bus terminal, with major centers.

Intercity buses

The Bus Station Albacete, managed by EMISALBA (Municipal Infrastructure and Services Albacete SA), is located in the northwest of the city, it has 13,950 m2 (150,157 sq ft) (parking included). From the terminal, Albacete has connections through regular intercity bus lines to cities of Valencia, Murcia, Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia, Extremadura, besides having connections with the major cities of Castilla-La Mancha and municipalities throughout the Albacete.

Railway

The Station Albacete-Los Llanos is located on the street Federico García Lorca, very close to the A-31. Inaugurated in 2010, it has extensive shopping and leisure. From the new station ADIF the capital has a wide range of provincial, regional and national connections.

Aviation

The Albacete Airport (IATA: ABC, ICAO: LEAB), managed by AENA, is 3.9 kilometres (2.4 miles) from the city to the south. Its facilities are very close to the Los Llanos Air Base of Air Force, the Air Arsenal and Air and Logistic Park.

Bicycle

Albacete has more than 42 kilometres (26 miles) from bike path. On urban roads in the city, adding to the more than 120 kilometres (75 miles) of greenways, groomed trails, paths or bike lanes.

Sport

Estadio Carlos Belmonte.
The Circuito de Albacete hosts major national and international tests of motorsport.

The most successful football club in the city is the Albacete Balompie, who plays Segunda Division after playing in Primera Division. In women's football highlights Fundación Albacete, who plays Primera Division.

The city hosts every year the Circuito de Albacete, important evidence as the International FIM CEV Championship. Throughout its history, the Albacete track has hosted events like the World Superbike Championship, the World Endurance Championship, the European Championship Motorcycling or FIA European Truck Racing Championship, among many others. On the Circuito de Albacete have passed and legends from the world of motor as Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez or Dani Pedrosa.

The Estadio Carlos Belmonte Albacete has hosted five matches to date of the Spain national football team. Albacete has also been the scene of the Davis Cup. The Tour of Spain has had as output or goal to the city of Albacete 42 times. Another classic of the city is the International Half Marathon City of Albacete, held in the month of May for a street circuit that runs through the streets of the capital. On December 31 the city dismisses the year with traditional and crowded Carrera de San Silvestre, which highlights the costumes of the athletes.

The city has other major sporting and entertainment venues such as the Albacete Tennis Club or the Club of Golf Las Pinaillas, designed by legendary golfer Severiano Ballesteros.

International relations

Twin towns – Sister cities

Albacete is twinned with:

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albacete.

References

  1. ↑ "Nueva York de La Mancha (New York of La Mancha)" (in Spanish). HistoriadeAlbacete.com. Retrieved 2012. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  2. ↑ "La ciudad de Albacete lidera la accesibilidad en España (The city of Albacete leads accessibility in Spain)" (in Spanish). Diario El Día de Albacete. 2012.
  3. ↑ "Calidad de vida en las ciudades (Quality of life in the cities)". Organización de Consumidores y usuarios (Organization of Consumers and Users). 2012.
  4. ↑ "La Feria de Albacete consigue la declaración de Interés Turístico Internacional.(La Feria de Albacete achieves declaration of International Tourist Interest)" (in Spanish). Diario La Verdad. 2009.
  5. ↑ Juan Antonio Pacheco Paniagua. "Sobre la etimología de Albacete (About the etymology of Albacete)" (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  6. ↑ Revista Zahora nº42 (ed.). "Diccionario de Gentilicios y seudogentilicios de la provincia de Albacete" (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  7. ↑ Decreto 137/86, de 30 de diciembre por el que se aprueba la modificación del escudo heráldico de la ciudad de Albacete (Decree 137/86, of December 30 for the approval of the modification to the heraldic shield of the city of Albacete). Diario Oficial de Castilla-La Mancha. 1987. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  8. ↑ Luis G. García-Saúco Beléndez (November 1987). "El escudo heráldico de la ciudad de Albacete" (in Spanish). Boletín Informativo "Cultural Albacete". Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  9. ↑ Consejo General del Poder Judicial. "Historia del TSJ Castilla-La Mancha (History of the Castilla La Mancha Tribunal Superior de Justicia)" (in Spanish). Consejo General del Poder Judicial. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Valores climatológicos normales: Albacete Base Aérea" (in Spanish). Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Neath Port Talbot Twin Towns". Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. Retrieved 2013-08-22.

External links

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