The city of Guadalajarais a municipality; it is located in one of the autonomous communities in Spain, Castile-La Mancha. It is also the capital of Guadalajara province. The distance between this city and Madrid is about 60 KM. The population of this city is about 76000.
History
It appears that a Roman town known as Arriaca did exist in the location of this city before the settlements of Arabs, although there is no archaeological proof for this. Moors founded this town in the 8th century and they called it Wadi-al-Hajara which means Valley of stones. Muslims built a number of monuments and these are Bridge on the river Henares, Alcazar castle and a mosque on the location where St. Mary Cathedral existed.
The King of Castile and Leon, Alfonso VI, conquered this town in the year 1085. In the period 1085 to 1212 there were wars against the empires of Almohad and Almoravid because of which this city suffered.
The Mendoza family was popular in the 14th century and they had the titles of duchesses and dukes of El Infantado from 1475. They ordered the construction of the palace Infantado and it was completed in 1480. They used this as their residence. King Henry IV gave the title city' in the year 1460.
This city suffered lots of damages during the peninsular war in the period 1808 to 1814. The French army took over this city in 1808 and destroyed it. Resurrection of this city took place from the year 1959.
Climate
The average temperatures in a year are as follows:
Maximum 28.7 C in the month of July
Minimum - 3.5 C in January
Art and Culture
1.Henares river Bridge was built by Arabs on the Roman foundations
2.Infantado Palace is a palace with Gothic architecture
3.Pantheon
4.The Sainy Mary Church
5.The Church San Nicols
6.The Church San Gins
7.The Church San Gil built in the 17th century
8.Hall of Guadalajara
9.Ancient market
Cuisine
The following dishes are popular in this city:
Roast lamb and kid
Miga
River crab and trout
Sweet cakes with wine and honey
Mondjar wine
Sports and Entertainment
A number of game reserves that are privately owned exist in this province. People go for hunting the bird Partridge (red legged) and wild boar.
Fishing is a popular sport since a number of rivers exist in this place. You will be able to fish various types of fishes Pike, common Trout, Black Bass, Buenda, Entrepeas and Bue Carp.
This city is equipped with a large number of reservoirs where you can practice a number of water sports such as sailing, water-skiing, boating, etc.
