Editing Teruel (section)

==History==
[[File:Teruel Cathedral 2024 - South façade 2.jpg|thumb|left|upright|View of the [[Mudéjar art|Mudéjar]] [[Teruel Cathedral|Cathedral]]]]
The area around Teruel has been populated since the times of the [[Celtiberians]], who called it Turboleta. The place-name Turboleta could come from the Basque-Iberian term ''itur'' + ''olu'' + ''eta'' (place of the water source, spring), according to the theory of [[Origin of the Basques#Basque-Iberism|Basque-Iberism]]. The area was later occupied by the Romans, who left remains in nearby towns, such as [[Cella, Aragon|Cella]].

Some authors claim that in the location of the current city of Teruel (specifically its Jewish quarter) was originally called Tirwal, a name that would have come from the Arabic word meaning "tower."<ref>{{Cite book|title=El Concejo de Teruel en la Edad Media|last=Gargallo Moya|first=Antonio|publisher=IET|isbn=84-86982-64-2|volume=I|pages=82}}</ref> A Muslim enclave is said to have existed in that location in the year 935. However, the corresponding archaeological sites found there belong to a defensive structure, not a population center.

On 1 October 1171, [[Alfonso II of Aragon|King Alfonso II]] captured Tirwal. He was threatened by the [[Almohad Caliphate|Almohads’]] capture of Valencia, and wanted to strengthen the southern border of his kingdom. In the same year, he founded the city of Teruel, granting it [[fueros]] and privileges to facilitate the repopulation of the area.

The foundation of Teruel marked an unprecedented change in the political and territorial structure of southern Aragon. The predominance of [[Albarracín]] and [[Alfambra]] during the Muslim era was replaced by that of the newly-founded cities, Teruel in particular, to the detriment of Alfambra, which would remain in the background under the organizing principle of [[manorialism]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Alfambra en la Edad Media y Moderna. Una visión de su historia y su arte a través del conjunto mural de la Ermita de Santa Ana|last=Barragán|first=Juan José|publisher=Sarrión: Muñoz Moya Editores|year=2015|isbn=978-84-8010-264-3}}</ref>

According to one legend, Teruel was founded when all the wise and important people of the town came together to look for signs and omens. The omen they found favorable was a bull, mooing from atop a high place with a star shining on it from above. The high place where they found the bull was eventually made into the town’s main square. According to some authors, the name of the city has its origins in this meeting, since the combination of the words “bull” (''toro'') and the name of the star, "Actuel," would make "Toroel," which could become "Toruel." The legend of this encounter also explains the star and bull on the city’s flag and coat of arms.

The inhabitants of Teruel intervened in the conquest of [[Valencia]], which had been in the hands of the Muslims, and in the [[War of the Two Peters]] against the [[Kingdom of Castile]]. The population was granted the title of city in 1347 by [[Pedro IV of Aragon]] for their support in the [[Battle of Épila]]. In the Middle Ages, the Jewish and [[Mudejar]] communities attained considerable importance within the social and economic life of the city, since their [[aljama]]s were consolidated towards the end of the 13th century. 

[[File:Puesta del pañuelico.jpg|alt="Puesta del Pañuelico"|left|thumb|[[:es:La Vaquilla del Ángel|La Vaquilla del Ángel]]]]
The Jewish Quarter of Teruel still preserves its name, and many archaeological sites have been found there. In the Middle Ages, Teruel possessed a prominent Jewish community, which was robust during the centuries Muslims were in power and enjoyed several privileges. Later on after the Christian reconquest of Spain, the Jewish community paid a yearly tax of 300 [[sueldo]]s (in the 14th century). Its members were engaged in commerce and industry, especially in wool-weaving. During the persecutions of 1391 many of them were killed, while others accepted Christianity in order to save their lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=160&letter=T&search=teruel|title=TERUEL - JewishEncyclopedia.com|website=www.jewishencyclopedia.com}}</ref>

Teruel was fought over in the [[Spanish Civil War]], and much of the city was destroyed. The [[Battle of Teruel]] in December 1937-February 1938, was one of the bloodiest of the war. The town changed hands several times, first falling to the Republicans and eventually being re-taken by the Nationalists. In the course of the fighting, Teruel was subjected to heavy artillery and aerial bombardment. The two sides suffered up to 140,000 casualties between them in the three-month battle. The Nationalists won a decisive victory.