Maqueda

Maqueda
—  Municipality  —
Maqueda Location in Spain
Coordinates: 40°3′53″N 4°22′18″W / 40.06472°N 4.37167°W / 40.06472; -4.37167Coordinates: 40°3′53″N 4°22′18″W / 40.06472°N 4.37167°W / 40.06472; -4.37167
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Castile-La Mancha
Province	Toledo
Comarca	Torrijos
Judicial district	Torrijos
Government
- Alcalde	Esteban Ríos Martín (2007)
Area
- Total	78 km2 (30.1 sq mi)
Elevation	501 m (1,644 ft)
Population (2008)
- Total	544
- Density	7/km2 (18.1/sq mi)
Demonym	Maquedano, na
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	45515
Dialing code	925
Official language(s)

Maqueda is a Spanish town located 80 kilometers from Madrid and 45 kilometers from Toledo. Located within the autonomous community Castilla-La Mancha and the province of Toledo, Maqueda is located in the comarca of Torrijos. The town is best known for its remarkably well-preserved castle, the Castillo de la Vela.

Etymology

The name "Maqueda" comes from the root mkd and the arabic term Maqqada, which means "stable", "firm", or "solid".^[1] Other experts believe that the name derives from the root kyd and the arabic term Makîda, which means "strategically located" or "strong plaza".^[2]

The castillo de la vela

The castillo de la vela, Maqueda

The castillo de la vela, also known as the castillo de Maqueda is located on the outskirts of town. Originally of Moorish design, the castle was rebuilt and expanded during the 15th century.^[3] It was eventually appropriated by the state, which established a Guardia Civil post within the castle and provided for its future conservation.

The castle is rectangular in shape and sits on two distinct elevations. The castle's protections include 3.5-meter-thick walls, moats on two sides, and a number of circular towers. The exterior of the castle is free to visit, though visitors are not permitted to enter the castle proper.^[3]

The castle was declared an artistic historical monument on 3 June 1931.^[3]

References

1. ^ García Sánchez, Jairo Javier (2004). Toponimia mayor de la provincia de Toledo (zonas central y oriental). Toledo, Spain: Instituto provincial de investigaciones y estudios toledanos. pp. 219–220. ISBN 84-95432-05-6. (Spanish)
2. ^ Corominas, Joan (1997) (in Curial Edicions Catalanes. La Caixa). Onomasticon Cataloniae. VIII. Barcelona: Caixa de Pensiones "La Caixa". ISBN 84-7256-858-X. (Catalan)
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Castillo de Maqueda, Maqueda". CastillosNet. http://www.castillosnet.org/programs/castillosnet.php?tip=inf&dat=toledo/TO-CAS-002. Retrieved 2009-02-09. (Spanish)