La Sénia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cenia
La Sénia
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 Cenia
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Community |  Catalonia |
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| Province | Tarragona | |
| Comarca | Montsià | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 108.4 km2 (41.9 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 269 m (883 ft) | |
| Population | ||
| • Total | KIDDLE_IB | |
| Demonym(s) | ceniense (spanish), senienc (catalan) | |
Cenia (officialy in catalan La Sénia) is a municipality in Catalonia, Spain. It is located in the southern part of the province of Tarragona, in the region of Montsiá. According to 2022 data, its population was 5,475 inhabitants. Throughout the 20th century and up to the present day, Cenia has been recognized for its prominent furniture industry.
Contents
Etymology
The name derives from the Arabic word saniya (flour mill, water wheel), which evolved into the Romance term azenia during the Middle Ages. The town shares its name with the Cenia River, which flows through the municipality. It was formerly known as La Cenia de Rosell.
History
Prehistory
Material remains have been found that demonstrate the presence of inhabitants in prehistoric times. The area of Cenia has been occupied since ancient times. The caves of dels Rossegadors and de la Tenalla contain Levantine rock art, which are evidence of the seasonal nomadic life of small groups of humans during the Epipaleolithic period. These paintings depict the fauna of the time, hunting human figures, details of male and female clothing, as well as scenes of hunting activities and compositions of unknown meaning.
Ancient regime
Cenia was officially recognized with a charter of population on April 17, 1232. On September 13, 1233, Pere Montcada granted the fiefdom of the town of Cenia to Lord Guillem de Moragues (originally from Tortosa) for repopulation. On January 25, 1336, Guillem de Moragues delivered the Carta Puebla to twenty-one residents, thus establishing the town of Cenia under the jurisdiction of the castle of Ulldecona. During the Catalan Civil War in 1462, Cenia actively participated against Juan II and was assaulted several times by royal troops until it finally surrendered in June 1466. In 1536, it was incorporated into the commandery of Mirambel.
In 1716, after the War of Spanish Succession, the population lost numerous privileges and local liberties with the implementation of the Nueva Planta decrees by Philip V.
Contemporary era
During the Peninsular War, the town of Cenia made significant contributions. When it was conquered along with the rest of Montsiá and Bajo Ebro, it became part of the French department of Bouches de l'Èbre. During this period, Cenia gained importance for its shipbuilding industry. After the expulsion of the French from the region of Montsiá, absolutism was restored with the return of Ferdinand VII to the Spanish throne.
When Spain was divided into provinces in 1833, Cenia became part of Tarragona. In the same year, the Carlist Wars began in the area, with the conquest of the town by General Cabrera, leading to constant sieges by Isabeline troops until 1840 when General Leopoldo O'Donnell defeated Ramón Cabrera. In the early 20th century, in 1907, electricity was installed in the town.
During the early stages of the Spanish Civil War, in 1937, the Republican Air Force built a military airfield in the area known as "els Plans." Republican aviators initially flew from this airfield, which was later used by German forces. Francoist troops entered the town on April 14, 1938, after the Aragon Offensive. Afterward, the personnel of the German Condor Legion settled in the airfield, which became their most important operating base. During the summer, the airfield was highly active as the Germans carried out numerous operations in the Levante Offensive and the Battle of the Ebro. On December 16 of that same year, a group of Republican Tupolev SB-2 "Katiuska" bombers conducted a surprise attack on the Condor Legion facilities, destroying 7 German Messerschmitt Bf-109 fighters and causing severe damage to the ground installations. It was one of the most audacious attacks by the Republican Air Force during the war.
Administration and Politics
Entities
Cenia is composed of two population entities.
List of population by entities (2022 census)
| Population Entity | Population |
|---|---|
| Els Plans |
32
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| Cenia |
5475
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Culture
The parish church is dedicated to Saint Bartholomew and Saint Roque. It was built between the 17th and 18th centuries in a Baroque style with neoclassical details. It has a single nave with side chapels and a square-shaped bell tower. The roof is topped with a dome, and the bell windows are located at the corners. The old town of the village preserves a similar aesthetic, with houses featuring grand portals and balconies. In 1983, a regulation was established to preserve this area of the town. About six kilometers from the center of Cenia is the sanctuary of the Virgin of Palleróls, located on the top of Palleróls mountain. It is a simple building that houses an image of the Virgin of Palleróls, the patron saint of the town.
In 1904, the Banda Harmónica de Cenia was founded, composed of 75 musicians. Now known as Agrupació Musical Senienca, it has gained recognition in the neighboring regions and has received awards in international competitions. In 2002, it was awarded the Creu de Sant Jordi, a significant recognition. The main festival of Cenia is celebrated in August and is known for its horse races. During the month of September, a pilgrimage is made to the sanctuary of Palleróls.
Economy
The economy of Cenia has traditionally revolved around agriculture, with dryland crops such as olive trees, vineyards, and cereals being prominent. In the 1930s, the first brush factories emerged. In the 1960s, the construction of the reservoir attracted immigrant workers and contributed to the industrial growth of the municipality, with the establishment of paper mills, furniture factories, railing companies, freight transportation, and construction.
The olive oil produced in Cenia, extracted from its ancient olive trees, is marketed as a luxury product and can reach a price of 15€ per half liter.
Regarding the furniture industry, small industrial establishments applying industrial processes to furniture manufacturing emerged in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1960s, companies implementing large-scale manufacturing processes were established. In the 1970s, factories specialized in different stages of the furniture manufacturing and sales process. Today, the wood, furniture, and accessories sector employs the majority of the population. Cenia has become the main producer of modern furniture in Spain and a reference in the industry in Catalonia. The municipality is home to the Technological Dissemination Center for Furniture in Catalonia and a wood waste treatment plant. It has recently been recognized as a Center of Artisanal Interest in Catalonia for furniture manufacturing by the Executive Council of Catalonia.
Twin towns
See also
In Spanish: Cenia (Tarragona) para niños
