Arens de Lledó (Spanish:[aˈɾensðeʎeˈðo]) or Arenys de Lledó (Catalan:[aˈɾeɲzðeʎeˈðo]) is a municipality located in the Matarraña/Matarranya comarca, province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain. According to the 2008 census (INE), the municipality has a population of 217 inhabitants, and covers an area of 34.27 square kilometres. It is situated in the Franja de Ponent.
Municipality
Arens de Lledo is very near neighbours with Horta de San Juan, Catalunya on one side (known for its entrance to the Natural Park El Ports and that it is said that Picasso invented cubism after staying there), and also the cultural capital of Matarraña Calaceite, (Aragon) an old favourite for visiting artists from all round the world.
The village of Arens de Lledó is located in the most eastern part of the province of Teruel. It is in a hilly area by the river Algars, which marks the border between the Terra Alta (Catalonia) and Aragon. The river Algars has a very popular place where residents and visitors go to bathe "El Galero". Overlooking the village stands the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The church is a Gothic structure (15th and 16th centuries) with an archway which dates from the Middle Ages. In the sanctuary stands a decorative sculpture of two fish, the symbol of this village. On February 8, 1983, the church was declared an "object of cultural interest".
History
Bronze and Iberian Period
First human settlement.
Islamic Era
Remains of an "Azud,"Arabic word meaning 'barrier', used with the usual river rise or flow in order to divert a part of this flow to the canals.
Middle Ages
There are remnants of the Middle Ages within the old city wall and 6 km away. At the chapel of St. Hippolytus (Sant Pol), a base of a medieval column can be found. A cross of the Templar can also still be found is there. This holy place is today a centre of pilgrimage and a procession is held every year on the first Saturday in May. Tradition says that this place was visited by women to ask for fertility. The path to the chapel is flanked by ancient cypress trees.
Contemporary era
The Spanish Civil War, (1936 to 1939) also affected this village. In the nearby town of Gandesa (in Catalonia) there is a museum about the Battle of the Ebro. Due to the large post-war chaos and very cold weather temperatures (which affected farming), there was a migration to and around Barcelona and also to Valencia, in order to search for new employment opportunities.
Economy
Agriculture is the main source of income. Olives, almonds and grapes are farmed and there is an agricultural cooperative. There is also rural tourism.[citation needed]
↑ Según aparece en el Decreto Legislativo 2/2006, de 27 de diciembre, del Gobierno de Aragón, por el que se aprueba el texto refundido de la Ley de Delimitación Comarcal de Aragón.
