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La Torre during the Spanish Civil War

Royuela

 

Royuela´s history goes back to ancient times. There are records of the existence of a settlement belonging to the Iron Age in the Moyas whereabouts and different prehistoric tools as silex axes heve been found in the caves of Rambla Capalana.

Royuela´s evolution is linked to the town Albarracin and the first dated reference deals with the subscription of an agreement for the distribution of the land conquered by Alfonso II of Aragon and Calveto de Biel which literally says: "en toda Roiola cum suis salmis", referring to the exploitation of the saltworks of La Hoyalda.

Between 1208 and 1210 it is founded Santa Maria´s Monastery, which belonged to the Trinitarian Order and which boosts the cultivation of the Val de Royuela and devotes itself to the redemption of captives held by the Muslims. The saltworks of La Hoyalda meant an important income for the Lords of Albarrracin´s economy.

Royuela´s social and economy life largely depedend on the Monastery for many years, but during the 19th century a series of confiscations took place, driven by the enlightened politicians, which started out the Trinitarian Orde´s decline in Royuela and the Monastery disappeared beiing its farmland distributed among the villagers.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the estates of La Torre, La Peña, El Lozano, etc. burgeois families properties until then, are acquired by Royuela´s inhabitants (with the exception of Santa Lucia and Conejera) and a distribution of farm and woodland is carried out. During the Spanish Civil War La Peña estate house is burnt down and La Torre estate house collapses just finished the conflict. (picture above)