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Huéscar
Colegiata SMaria (3)
Flag of Huéscar
Flag
Coat of arms of Huéscar
Coat of arms
Location of Huéscar
Location of Huéscar
Huéscar is located in Spain
Huéscar
Huéscar
Location in Spain
Country  Spain
Autonomous community  Andalusia
Province Granada
Comarca Comarca de Huéscar
Judicial district Huéscar
Area
 • Total 468 km2 (181 sq mi)
Elevation
953 m (3,127 ft)
Population
 (2018)
 • Total 7,367
 • Density 15.741/km2 (40.77/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Oscenses
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
18830
Dialing code (+34) 958

Huéscar (Latin: Osca) is a municipality of the province of Granada, Spain.

History

When the Iberian Peninsula was conquered by Rome, Osca was a town of the Turdetani, and incorporated into the Roman province of Hispania Baetica. However, purportedly ancient coins from this town are not genuine.

War with Denmark

When Spain allied with the United Kingdom against Napoleon during the Peninsular War, Spanish troops in French-aligned Denmark–Norway suddenly found themselves in enemy territory. While many were evacuated by the UK or escaped by other means, some 5,000 Spanish soldiers of the Division of the North were imprisoned in Denmark. Spain cut off relations with Denmark in response. Upon receiving this news, the City Council of Huéscar decided to declare war on Denmark. Huéscar, being a small village with only eight municipal guards at the time, did not send any troops to fight against Denmark, and neither did Denmark engage in hostilities against Huéscar. By the time of Napoleon's defeat, the declaration of war had been forgotten, and Huéscar forgot to declare peace.

In 1981, a local historian rediscovered the declaration of war. This led to a ceremony and celebration on 11 November 1981, wherein the city mayor and the Ambassador of Denmark ratified a peace treaty. Some representatives of Denmark attended wearing Viking costumes, while Spaniards erected signs in Danish jokingly warning against entering enemy territory. During the intervening 172 years, no conflict or injury occurred between the two parties.

Tourism

The main landmark is the collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor (St Mary the Great), designed by Diego de Siloé in the 16th century.

Geotourism

Huéscar is within the Granada Geopark, which was designated in 2020. The Geopark has promoted Huéscar in the context of geotourism as the start and finish of a 143 km trekking route, the "First Settlers Great Path". The name reflects the legacy of Early humans in the area, as evidenced by a number of geosites of paleontological interest.

Sister cities

Huéscar is twinned with:

Notable people

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Huéscar para niños

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