Covarrubias is a village and municipality in the province of Burgos in the Spanish autonomous community of Castile and León. It has 640 inhabitants, and it is near to Mecerreyes, Cubillo del Campo and Hortigüela. Covarrubias is situated in the valley of the river Arlanza, which is extensively wooded with among other species Spanish Juniper. Part of the area belonging to the municipality is included within a Special Protection Area for bird-life such as vultures.

Covarrubias
Municipality and town
Panoramic view of Covarrubias, 2010
Panoramic view of Covarrubias, 2010
Flag of Covarrubias
Coat of arms of Covarrubias
Location of Covarrubias
Location of Covarrubias
CountrySpain
Autonomous communityCastile and León Castile and León
ProvinceFlag of Burgos Burgos
ComarcaArlanza
Government
 • MayorMillán Bermejo (Citizens)
Area
 • Total
41.07 km2 (15.86 sq mi)
Elevation
894 m (2,933 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total
545
 • Density13/km2 (34/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
09346
Websitehttp://www.covarrubias.es/
TypeNon-movable
CriteriaHistoric ensemble
Designated28 October 1965
Reference no.RI-53-0000066

The village itself was declared a Conjunto Histórico-Artístico, a type of conservation area, in 1965. Covarrubias and Tønsberg in Norway have entered a friendship agreement as the result of a medieval connection with Christina of Norway, Infanta of Castile. A church honouring Saint Olaf II of Norway, designed by the architect Pablo López Aguado, has been built in the town and dedicated in 2011.[2][3]

It was founded in the 7th century AD by the Visigothic king Chindasuinth.[citation needed]

One of the first areas to be reconquered from the Moors in the late ninth century, Covarrubias had an influence on Castile and its language. The river is used for swimming and canoeing. One feature, Fuente Azul ( Placed in the municipality of Hortigüela), is 6 km away. It has a mild climate, and its cuisine includes black pudding, grapes (Arlanza (DO)), and cherries.

Places of interest

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Tower of Fernán González
 
Tomb of the Norwegian Princess in the cloister of the collegiate church.

Twin towns - sister cities

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Covarrubias is twinned with Tønsberg.[4] The link between these municipalities resides on Princess Christina of Norway, who travelled from Tønsberg to Spain in 1257 and was later buried in Covarrubias.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. ^ Saint Olav's chapel in Spain Archived 2008-01-02 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Fulfilled 750 Year Old Vision". Archived from the original on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-05.
  4. ^ "Samarbeid og prosjekter" (in Norwegian). Tønsberg kommune. Archived from the original on 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
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42°03′23″N 3°31′01″W / 42.0564°N 3.51694°W / 42.0564; -3.51694