Soto del Real

Spanish city
native_name = Soto del Real
spanish_name = Soto del Real
nickname =
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time_zone = CET (GMT +1)
time_zone_summer = CEST (GMT +2)


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native_language = Spanish
community = Madrid
community_link = Community of Madrid
province = Madrid
province_link = Community of Madrid
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mayor = Encarnación Rivero
political_party = PP
political_party_link = People's Party (Spain)
area = 42.17
altitude = 921
population = 7199
date-population = 2003
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density = 135.4 inhab./km²
date-density = 2003
website = http://www.ayto-sotodelreal.es/
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Soto del Real, whose former name was "Chozas de la Sierra", is a town and municipality in the northern area of the autonomous Community of Madrid which had 7,199 inhabitants in 2005.

43 kilometers away from Madrid, the capital city, it is located between the towns of Manzanares el Real and Miraflores de la Sierra.

History

The first evidence of settlements in "Soto del Real" dates from the 10th century, with archeological remains of houses and ceramics attributed to shepherds.

During the 13th century the area encompasing Colmenar Viejo, "Chozas de la Sierra" and "Porquerizas" (Miraflores de la Sierra) was a source of legal conflict between the provinces of Madrid and Segovia, with John I of Castile incorporating "Chozas" to the municipality of "El Real de Manzanres" in 1389.

In 1568 Philip II of Spain exempted "Chozas" from "El Real de Manzanres".

The name "Soto del Real" has been in use since a 1959 vote in which the local population chose the name over "Alameda de la Sierra" or its historic one, "Chozas de la Sierra". The town's coat of arms makes reference to both of the town's names.

"Soto" makes reference to the numerous trees and forests surrounding (in Spanish "Sotos"), "del Real" referring to its historical ties to "El Real de Manzanares" from 1389 till 1568.

Festivities

The first weekend of August "Soto del Real" celebrates its festivities in honour of the "Virgen del Rosario" (Our Lady of the Rosary), patron of the municipality.

The 7th of October, day of the Virgen of the Rosary, is also celebrated, as is the 15th of May, day of San Isidro

External links

* [http://www.ayto-sotodelreal.es/ Municipal website] es icon
* [http://www.forosgratuitos.com/index.php?mforum=sotodelreal Soto del Real Forum-Foro de Soto del Real] es icon