Frías, Province of Burgos

Frías is a town located in the northern part of the province of Burgos, in Castile and León, Spain. In 2010 it had a population of only 275 inhabitants.

Frías
Municipality and city
Ciudad de Frías
Panoramic view of Frías, 2007
Municipal location of Frías in Burgos province
Coordinates: 42°45′42″N 3°17′39″W
CountrySpain
Autonomous community Castile and León
Province Burgos
ComarcaLas Merindades
Area
 • Total32 km2 (12 sq mi)
Elevation
555 m (1,821 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total254
 • Density7.9/km2 (21/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
09211
Websitehttp://www.ciudaddefrias.es/
Frías is the smallest settlement with the city title in Spain
For the town in the province of Teruel, Spain, see Frías de Albarracín

Frías is a historic medieval town on a hill above the river Ebro, which has being a strategic point to cross river Ebro in the routes communicating with the Cantabrian Sea. Today the town is a popular tourist spot it has an impressive castle dominating the river and the twelfth-century bridge across it. It is considered to be the smallest "city" in Spain, having been given that title in 1435.

There are two convents and two churches in the town. The gothic church of San Vitores is particularly worth visiting.

Geography

Ubication

Frías is around 80 km northeast of Burgos, in river Ebro shore. Its county territory has 29,37 km².

Northwest: Cillaperlata North: Valle de Tobalina Northeast: Valle de Tobalina
West: Oña 75px East: Partido de la Sierra en Tobalina
Southwest Oña South: Partido de la Sierra en Tobalina Southeast: Oña

Main sights
  • Frias Castle (12th–15th century).
  • Hanging houses.
  • The medieval bridge. Near the town, crossing the Ebro river, a 12th-century bridge with a defensive tower that dates from the 14th century.
  • San Vitores church.

Politics

Frías has been usually ruled by the Socialist Party (PSOE). From 2007 to 2015 the Major has been Luis Arranz from People's Party (PP). In 2007 reaching an agreement with the left party IU, and in 2011 with absolute majority. In may 2015 elections, PSOE recovered the power with absolute majority, as repeated in 2019 elections.

Elections results 2019
  • PSOE: 99 votes, 5 seats
  • PP: 43 votes, 2 seats

Heritage
Hanging houses

The medieval old town has been declared Conjunto Histórico and retains its urban structure and special construction features.

Hanging houses

These houses, with ground floor and two or three additional floors and, eventually a wine cellar, are supported by each other, creating streets at different height. In some cases these house hang from the rock. Their structure is made of walls of limestone within a wood structure.

The houses are located in the streets that climb the hill with Velasco’s Castle and San Vicente church. A wall partially surrounds the old town and two arches from the three initially erected: puerta del Postigo and puerta de Medina.

These arches are also made of limestone and wood, materials that makes them to camouflage in the rock. The are placed in Obdulio Fernández Street and can be contemplated from the streets: "Antonio Carpintero, Mayor de San Vitores, Federico Keller and Campa de las eras."

Salazar Palace and barracks

This building is placed in Alfonso VIII Square, close to the castle. Initially was the palace of the Salazar´s family, and a coat of arms can be found over its door with the thirteen stars of the Salazar´s. A Saint Francis lace surrounds the stars. Later it has been used as residential barracks and today is the Tourism Office of Frías.

Roman Road

An important roman road connecting the Castilian plateau and the north of Spain cross Frías by a ford of Ebro River 500 meters east of the Romanic bridge. In addition, Frías was also the beginning of another roman road connecting this area with La Rioja. It passes by La Canaleja, Rueda, Ronda, Rincón de Soto and Calzada streets.

Medieval Bridge

Medieval Bridge

Frías medieval bridge has 143 meters length and 9 arches. It was built in a Romanic style, and refurbished in the 14th century, when a defensive tower with arrow-holes and battlements, was built in the center. This tower worked also as a medieval tool called “cobro del pontazgo”. The bridge connects Avenida del Salero and Avenida de Santa María del Puente.

Jewish quarter

The Jewish quarter, almost unknown until the last decades from 20th century, was important at its time. Mentions to Jewish inhabitants during the 14th century can be found in the cartulary of Santa María de Vadillo, although there are references even from the previous century. For instance, in 1387, someone called Nahamías was recognized as neighbor. Even in 1574 in some documents the converted “tax collector of Frías” from mid 15th century, Juan Sanz de la Ussa, was recalled, wondering if he had been executed or forgiven. Juan Sanz de la Ussa worked as a tax collector for the Velasco family and founded the Visitación chapen. The Jewish quarter was located in calle Convenio and calle Virgen de la Candonga.

Other monuments
  • San Francisco Convent building from the 14th century. Initially built as a convent, it has been used for different purposes, such as private housing.
  • Santa María de Vadillo Convent erected in 1219 by Diego Faro, was the home of an Augustinian community. Was also used as a hospital. It style combines gothic and renaissance, like the well-preserved church. After the Confiscation of Mendizábal in 1833, it was abandoned.
  • San Vítores Church built between 13th and 14th centuries in gothic style.

Notable people
  • Manuel Bernal de Huidobro (1656–1716), general and governor of Sinaloa (Mexico) from 1734 to 1741.
  • Pedro Fernández de Frías: Great Cardinal of Spain and Bishop of y Osma.
  • View of Frías from the castle
  • Typical houses
  • San Vitores church (13th-14th century)
  • Frías at dawn
  • Hanging houses
  • Street in Frías
  • Frías castle (12th-15th century)
  • San Vicente Mártir y San Sebastián church
  • Panoramic view of Frías

References
  1. Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
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