Emporion.

It was an ancient Greek and Roman colony at the southern end of the Gulf of Roses (Catalonia), in the present municipality of the Scale and south of San Martin de Ampurias. It extends from the ancient gorge of the Fluvia river until Ter River, which flows into the Playa del Riego del Molino, at Scale. Currently the land is owned by the Government of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and are part of an archaeological park. In the complex there is the old Convent of St. Mary of Gracia, rebuilt in 1910 AD.

The city, partially excavated, can be divided into 4 located parts around a natural harbor, the first Greek city (situated on a small island called Paliapolis), the Greek city located on land (called Neapolis), the Roman city and the Iberian city (Indika).

The town was fortified in the center of this are the agora (the main square). The streets were irregular and were adapted to natural uneven terrain. Beside the agora was a Stoa (building for commercial transactions). The city had several temples dedicated to Zeus, Serapis and Asclepius.

The Roman city was surrounded by a wall of concrete (formwork made from lime on 2 giant stones). Had a great forum, with several temples and shops and a Grandos public restrooms. Just outside the city wall there was an amphitheater and a gym. In the south of the city found several areas of industrial, related to metallurgy.

From the ninth century BC, at the end of the Bronze Age, the indigenous people of this region of Catalonia lived in the hills jutting wetlands. One of these villages was in the area that is now Saint Martin de Ampurias.

In the seventh century BC, the town already had trade relations with the Etruscans, Phoenicians and Greeks, circa 580 BC, Greek merchants of Marseilles, founded Emporion on the hill of Saint Martín, and by mid-fourth century BC occupied the mainland (Neapolis). Initially, the city depended Marseille but, around 500 BC, the city was already independent. The city, surrounded by a wall and an inner wall that separated the Greek city and the Iberian city, was developed by a business which covered the entire Mediterranean. His influence on indigenous gave rise to the Iberian culture.

In 218 BC, during the Second Punic War, landed a Roman army commanded by Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio, with the aim of cutting the rear, toward the Carthaginian army of Hannibal. With this fact the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula began.

In the year 197 BC, during the Great Indian Revolt, Indigenous city remained neutral. That same year, Cato the "Censor", set up camp and made it the center for fighting the Iberian resistance to the occupation. The military camp was transformed into a Roman city in the first century BC. At the time of Emperor Augustus, the Greek and Roman cities were united under the name of Municipium Emporiae. As other Roman cities were becoming important as Barcino, Gerunda or Tarraco, Emporion was losing its splendor.

A half century III AD, both Neapolis as the Roman city were already abandoned and the population is concentrated in Saint Martin de Ampurias, who was bishop during the Visigoth period (Diocese of Ampurias). The Neapolis was used as a cemetery, and a basilica was built.

After the Muslim conquest, came the Carolingian conquest in the eighth century AD and, under the rule of the Franks, the city was the capital of the County of Empúries. In 859 AD, the city was sacked by a Norman expedition and this was the reason for its ruin and destroyed by Muslims during a raffia, the Count moved the capital to another city. Since then, Emporion was a small fishing village in the sixteenth century, founded the population of the scale.

The Temple of Aesculapius.

By the second century BC several religious buildings that could be identified with a Asklepeion were built. This was a therapeutic and religious center dedicated to Aesculapius.

The exhibition consisted of three temples, near cisterns, a well and a fortified building: a building where patients experienced the sacred dream from which priests and religious established therapeutic treatment, dedicated to the god Asclepius. As regards the tanks, was where the necessary water is stored to perform purification rituals to which the patient was subjected. The open pit contained the sacred snakes.

The temple of Serapis.

In the third century BC, the inhabitants of the city decided to build a fortified place. Later, during the first half of the first century BC, it was transformed to be built in it a Doric temple dedicated to the god Serapis. The existence of this temple we know the importance it had in Emporion, during the Republican and Hellenistic periods, cults from the Eastern Mediterranean, probably by the arrival of traders from the East who took the existence of a port city outward, to settle and form a commercial and cultural empire of great influence.

The Necropolis.

The necropolis of this city has more than 1000 years old in a long period that goes from the seventh century BC to the Middle Ages. In the complex there are 4 types of necropolis: Greco-indigenous, Republican necropolis, the necropolis of high empire and the necropolis of the Lower Empire.

Night of the Dead or Magosto

It is a celebration of Celtic origin, celebrated in some parts of northern Spain, such as Galicia, Catalonia, Cantabria, Aragon, Asturias and León province. It is also a very popular holiday in Portugal. Internationally known as "chestnut Party." 

The common elements in this party are: the celebration of the Night of Souls, chestnut and fire.

On the night of October 31 is usually held this party, which includes many fire roasted chestnuts, new wine and sausages. 

The party is to make a fire and, once there embers, placed on it a large metal pan with holes in its base, called drum. About this pan, chestnuts, which have been subjected to a cut on one end to extend not explode. Once roasted, chestnuts are peeled and eaten. 

It is common, Smudging face with the remains of the fire, jump over the fire, telling stories and singing folk songs. 

The chestnut Party in Catalonia.

It is the Catalan and Aragonese variant of this traditional festival. Roasted chestnuts, panellet, sweet potatoes and candied fruit are tasted. The typical drink of this celebration is the muscatel wine. 

The custom of eating these foods (high energy) is because during the Night of Souls, vigil of the Day of the Dead, the bells rang incessantly until dawn. Friends and relatives helped the ringer in this difficult task, and all this food consumed not falter. 

It usually represents the figure of the woman steamy chestnut: an older woman dressed in poor clothes and a headscarf, with a street vendor roasting chestnuts.

Cordial

In Spain, the traditional Christmas food is usually based on abundant sweet dishes. Three days significantly in the Spanish Christmas Special: Christmas dinner, New Year's Eve and the Epiphany. The Christmas meal is characterized by all Christian traditions. It should be noted nougat (the most famous is the hard nougat), the shortbread, marzipan, dates, sugared almonds, alfajores or almond soup. 

Also typical dishes eat these dates, such as suckling pig, free range chicken, turkey, capon, lamb, sea bream, clam meat, cooked meat (in Catalonia), prawns and seafood. In Galicia is also often eat cod with cauliflower, on Christmas Eve.

On December 31 (New Years Eve) is tradition to eat 12 grapes at the rate of twelve strokes marked by the Puerta del Sol, once it enters the new year, you will be welcomed with a Cava toast. At dawn or morning of January 1 (New Year's Day) is usually breakfast Chocolate with churros. On January 6 (Epiphany) is usually eaten for a snack, cake of Epiphany.

The "Cordial" is a typical sweet of the Region of Murcia (Southeast Spain). They are usually served accompanied with marzipan sweets and shortbread. Is strictly required to consume within 5 days of its development, as they spoil very quickly. 

ingredients: 

- 1 kg of raw almonds. 

- 9 eggs. 

- 800 gr of sugar. 

- 1kg of candied pumpkin. 

- Scrape the skin of 1 lemon. 

- Wafers. 

Preparation: 

- Cleaned and peeled almonds (with hot water). Chop and dried. 

- Add the sugar, grated lemon rind and eggs. Mix until a homogeneous mass is made. 

- Take small amounts of almond dough, make a well in the center and fill with candied pumpkin, close giving a cone shape. 

- Place on the wafers, and bake at 180 degrees for 25 minutes.

Bread with tomato.

The tomato bread is a meal representative of Catalonia (Northeastern Spain), consists of a slice of bread rubbed with ripe tomato half and seasoned with olive oil and salt.

It is a traditional food from the kitchens Catalan, Aragonese, and the Balearic Islands (Islas Baleares and northeastern Spain), similar to the Italian bruschetta. Workers have a history in Southern (South of Spain) who migrated to other parts of the Iberian Peninsula. He is considered one of the typical examples that define the Mediterranean diet.

Preparation:

The bread with tomato is made by smearing and mature medium raw tomato on a slice of bread, preferably bread "rustic", toasted or not, seasoned to taste with salt and olive oil. If desired, toast the bread once, and before spreading tomato, spreadable garlic to give it a spicy flavor.

It can be a starter, a companion of other foods and also a main course, in which case it is usually associated with: sausage, ham, cheese and omelette.

origins:

It is known that bread with tomato is inspired by the bread with olive oil, seasoned bread slices with olive oil and seasoned with a little salt. Binding of bread and oil have been present in the Mediterranean from ancient Greece. The first written reference of bread with tomato nineteenth century, devised in the countryside, in a time of abundance in tomato crops, to take advantage and thus soften the dry bread.

the Carnival

The carnival is a public celebration, combining elements such as costumes, parades and street parties. Legend has it that on the night of Carnaval anything goes, so people usually go masked.

The origin of the celebration comes from the pagan festivals, such as those performed in honor of Bacchus, god of wine, the Roman Saturnalia and Lupercalia, or which were held in honor of the bull Apis in Egypt over 5000 years ago with very similar celebrations in the Roman Empire, where the custom spread through Europe. Being brought to America by the Spanish and Portuguese sailors from XV century.

One of the most unique and special carnivals in Spain (a part of the Carnival of the Canary Islands) is the carnival of Catalonia:

The Carnival in Catalonia:

Like almost any other carnival in the world, is the pagan festival that takes place in the interval of time from the arrival of the Magi to Ash Wednesday, the day which begins Lent.

In Catalan is said Carnestoltes carnis cualis derived from Latin, meaning "private meat", and refers to the prohibition of eating meat during the forty days of Lent.

Ash Wednesday, the king Carnestoltes, faces trial with Old Lent (which, Old Lent always winning out), after the trial, is sentenced to death carnestoltes and incinerated a doll representing the King Carnestoltes. When the doll just burning, Lent begins.

The most famous carnivals are the Solsona, Cunit, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Sitges, Rubí, Tarragona, Olot, Torello, Palamos and Castell d'Aro.

Magosto or chestnut festival

The magosto or Chestnut Festival is a traditional festival in parts of Spain, Galicia, Asturias, Catalonia, etc.. It is also a very popular celebration in Portugal, where it is called Magusto. It has also spread internationally and chestnut festival.

Common elements are holding this event in November and have as main elements chestnut and fire.

From the Palaeolithic man fed on chestnuts and acorns. With the expansion of chestnut trees cultivation by the Romans, the fruit became the staple food of the population, such as fresh fruit, dried or ground into flour. In the sixteenth century the arrival of corn and potatoes were American chestnuts that lost its prominence in the peasant diet.

Traditionally this feast was celebrated during the collection of this fruit and also served as thanks to the gods for the harvest received.

In the days between November 1 (All Saints Day) and November 11 (Saint Martin), is usually held this party where there are plenty of fire-roasted chestnuts, new wine and sausages.

The party is to make a fire and, once there coals placed on them a metal cylinder with holes in its base (called drum). BOUT this container, or other like that, extend the chestnuts which have been previously made ​​a cut on one end so that they do not jump or explode. Once peeled roasted and eaten.

Smudging is common face with the remains of the fire, jump over the fires and to bring luck and make Diferences traditional games, storytelling and singing folk songs.

Woman roasting chestnuts, known as Castañera.

Lovers of Teruel

The story or legend of the Lovers of Teruel, tells the love story between two young Spanish, Isabel de Segura and Juan Martinez de Marcilla.

In the early years of the thirteenth century lived in the city of Teruel, Juan de Marcilla and Isabel de Segura, whose early friendship soon turned into love. No dear Isabel's family, because Juan had no goods, the suitor got a deadline to get rich. So he went to war and returned to Teruel just as had expired. By then, it was Isabel wife of a brother of the Lord of Albarracin. Despite this fact, Juan did meet with Isabel at his home and asked for a kiss, she denied it and the young man died of grief. The next day the funeral was held in St. Peter's young, then, a woman approached the coffin mourning: was Isabel, wanted to give the deceased denied the kiss, the girl placed her lips on the dead and suddenly fell dead together it.

The crown of fire

It is a medieval legend focused mainly in the Spanish town of Monforte de Lemos, and in its vicinity the Terra de Lemos, belonging to the autonomous community of Galicia.

There was an underground passage linking the palace county of Monforte de Lemos with the Church of San Vicente del Pino. During the absence of the Earl de Lemos, who partly meet real parcels, the abbot of the Benedictine monastery of San Vicente, used the corridor to maintain relations with the wife of the Earl. In return of the Earl, and aware of the love affair, the abbot invited to a sumptuous meal, when ordered to bring the dessert, a servant of the Earl brings a crown of red-hot iron, with which the abbot corona, causing death.

The Holy Company

The Holy Company is in the Galician popular mythology (and by other names, or the same, in the Asturias and Leon). It is a procession of dead or lost souls that night (after 12 at night) go wandering the paths of a parish. Its mission is to visit all those homes that soon there will be a death.

This consists of a procession of souls, dressed in white robe and hood, wandering at night.

This ghostly procession form two rows, wrapped in shrouds and go barefoot. Each ghost carries a candle and step wax leaves a smell in the air. Leading the ghostly company is a larger spectrum called Estadea.

The procession is led by a living (mortal) carrying a cross and a cauldron of holy water, followed by candlelight souls, not always visible, noticing its presence in the smell of wax and wind up in their wake.

This person alive that precedes the procession can be male or female. Who performs this function does not remember anything during the day, only you can recognize people punished with the punishment for its extreme thinness and paleness.

Each night the light will be more intense and every day her pallor will increase. Do not allow them to rest any night, so their health is weakened even sick. Condemned to wander every night until they die or another sucker is caught (which leads the procession which gives a cross).

Walk issuing prayers, funeral songs and playing a small bell.

In its wake, previously cease all animal noises in the woods and hear some bells. Dogs announce the arrival of the Holy Company howling sprees cats really are running scared and frightened.

To get rid of this obligation, the person you see pass the Holy Company must draw a circle on the floor and get into it or lie face down. To get rid of the Holy Company must carry a cross on top, pray without hearing the chanting of the Holy Company, or ultimately run.

Protection against Holy Company:

- Pull off the road to the Holy Company, and do not look at them that they are not seen.

- Make a circle with the Star of Solomon or a cross and enter into it.

- Eat something.

- When we go to give the cross, responding "I have cross" for the bearer of the cross does not make us surrender.

- Pray and do not hear their voices or the sound of the bell.

- Tearing upside down and wait without moving, although the company will pass over.

- Never touch a candle that gives us a decedent of the procession.

- Ultimately, to run very fast.

- The Holy Company does not have the power to capture the soul of the mortal who crosses her, if he is in the steps of some cruise than those at the crossroads or if carrying a cross and manages to wield them in time.

Meiga

The word meiga, meaning women mage, is used in Galicia, León and Asturias (Spain), with the meaning of "person with extraordinary powers or magic and can bargain with the devil."

The figure on the meiga is deeply rooted in the folk tradition, and differs from the latter witch always acts with malice, can treat and agree with demionios and yet, the Meigas are also known as healers and seers , and people go to them to be healed with its rewritten psalms and spells.

There are meigas flying on broomsticks or mounted on horseback. But other women are only able to perform the evil eye and to heal, and other evils.

Types of meigas:

It is said that there are a large number of them, each with different powers:

- Meigas chuchonas (or sucking) are the most dangerous and are presented with different faces or turned into vampires and insects such as bumblebees. They suck the blood of children and rob the body fat to be used in the preparation of ointments and potions.

- Asumcordas (witches street); spy on people and watch who goes in and out of houses.

- Marimanta, is the woman's bag, stealing children and make them disappear.

- Feticeira (sorceress) living near rivers and streams, although it is an old, non-repellent appearance, has a beautiful voice and songs mesmerize with their youth who hear, these are close to the river and she makes getting young people go into the river until they drown.

- Lavandeira (Women washing clothes), this meiga surprises the traveler who goes through a laundry (a former laundry), inviting them to help her wring the clothes washing, clothes stained with blood is still warm to result of a miscarriage. The person has to be careful to turn the clothes in the same direction as her, because otherwise, the misfortune will fall on his house.

- Lobismuller (werewolf) are women who were born on Christmas Eve or Good Friday, or is the seventh or ninth in a family where all offspring are female.

- Vedoira (seer) is beautiful and pleasant to deal. Has powers of divination and are experts in contact with the beyond to tell if someone is enjoying died forever in heaven or still suffering in purgatory.

- Voladoira (woman flying) acrobatic pirouettes in the sky.

- Cartuxeira (fortune teller); women fortune-tellers, who always correct in their predictions.

- Agoreira (aged); these meigas age prematurely, but live many years.

- Damas de castro (ladies of the tree); these meigas living under ancient trees or underground in a glass castle. They always have a long tail white dress, and always respond to requests from people. As well enjoy and fortune, any favor or compliment serve to get tips or gifts from them, on the contrary, tend to appear to people afflicted by a difficult situation in his life, and that person grant his favors.

Methods to protect against meigas:

- Place a broom turned upside down after the front door.

- Take a clove of garlic or a dry chestnut. Bring a fig (best jet Compostela) around your neck or flying deer horns.

- Take home blessed land of cemeteries or laurel branches blessed on Palm Sunday.

- Search beasts claws or wolf teeth.

- Possess shaped wands, pendants and pectorals, pieces of jet, amber and various magical stones.

- Skip the bonfire of San Juan 3 times.

A popular phrase: "Eu non creo nas meigas, mais habelas, hainas" ("I do not believe in Meigas, but if any, there are").

The Meigas performing spell called "Meigallo". A common incantation is "Meigas out!" Which is accompanied by the gesture of the Higa.

Isabella I of Castile

Isabella I of Castile (1451 - 1504) was Queen of Castile from 1474 to 1504, Queen Consort of Aragon and Sicily.

Popularly known as Isabella la Católica, a title he gave them to her and her husband Fernando the Pope Alexander VI by a special bull. It is what is known to the royal couple by the name of Catholic Monarchs, who would use title onwards almost all the Kings of Spain.

She married in 1469 with Fernando of Aragon. She and her husband won the Nasrid kingdom of Granada and took part in a net of marriage alliances that made their grandson, Carlos, inherit the crowns of Castile and Aragon, and other European territories were to become Holy Roman Emperor.

Isabella gave support to Christopher Columbus in search of the West Indies, which led to the discovery of America. This event would have on the future conquest of the lands discovered and the creation of the Spanish Empire.

Isabella lived 53 years, of which 30 years he ruled as queen of Castile and 26 as queen consort of Aragon alongside Fernando II.

Isabella of Castile, daughter of Juan of Castile and his second wife Isabella of Portugal, was born on Holy Thursday 1451. Two years later, his brother Alfonso was born. Previously, the fruit of the marriage between John II of Castile and Maria of Aragon, and therefore brother of Isabella, was born Henry, who accede to the throne in 1454 by the name of Henry IV.

On the death of her father in 1454, Isabella was sent with her mother in the Castle of Arevalo, where attacks would witness her mother madness. Although her father had left important testamentary impositions for her mother, King Henry IV of repeatedly fails.

In 1461 Isabella and her brother were taken to the Court, to be near the birth of the daughter of kings, Dona Juana de Castilla.

Some nobles fought and gave King Henry Alfonso support to of 12 years, to depose Henry in what is called the "charade of Avila." Isabella stood beside Alfonso during this time. However, in 1468, Alfonso died poisoned.

Despite pressure from the nobles, Queen Isabella proclaimed rejected while Henry IV was alive. By contrast, her brother got the proclaimed Princess of Asturias (Crown Princess), in a ceremony known as the Concordia Guisando. Isabella was established as heir to the crown, above Juana of Castile, her niece and goddaughter baptism. Thereafter, the king initiated diplomatic contacts with other royal houses to reach an agreement that will bring him a double benefits.

Henry IV agreed the link between Isabella and King Alfonso V of Portugal, as in Guisando Concordia had agreed that the marriage of Isabella be held with the approval of the Castilian monarch. The proposed project also entailed marrying his daughter Juana, with Crown Prince Juan, son of Alfonso V of Portugal. In this way the king wanted to move to Portugal and Isabella, on the death of her husband, the thrones of Castile and Portugal would go directly to John II of Portugal and his wife, Juana. Isabella refused.

Following the refusal of Isabella, the king tried to marry the Duke of Guienne, brother of King Louis XI of France. Again, Isabella refused.

Meanwhile John II of Aragon tried to negotiate secretly with Isabella's wedding to his son, Fernando. Isabella felt that was the best candidate for husband, but they were cousins ​​needed a papal bull exonerate them of inbreeding. The Pope did not sign this document, fearing the negative consequences that this act could attract him.

People close to an alleged forged Isabella bull issued in 1464 by the late Pope Pius II, in favor of Fernando, which was allowed to marry any princess to join him a bond of consanguinity. Isabella in 1469 was accepted and signed the marriage. For the betrothal and fearing that Henry IV abort their plans, with the excuse of visiting the grave of her brother Alfonso, Isabella escaped Ocaña, where he was guarded by Don Juan Pacheco. For his part, Fernando crossed Castile in secret, disguised as a boy of mule traders. Finally, on 19 October of that same year married in the Palacio de los Vivero in Valladolid.

The marriage of Isabella cost confrontation with his brother, the king. In 1471 Pope Sixtus IV sent Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia as papal legate to arrange the various political issues in the Iberian Peninsula. With him he brought the bull of Simancas that dispensed the princes of consanguinity Isabella and Fernando. Borgia negotiated with them: give them the papal bull in return they grant him the town of Gandia his son Pedro Luis. Isabella and Fernando fulfill their part of the deal in 1485.

The death of Henry IV, was proclaimed Queen Isabella of Castile. War then broke Castilian Succession. Among the supporters of Isabella and her niece Juana. Alcaçovas Treaty ended the dispute, recognizing as kings Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile in exchange for certain concessions to Portugal. After the war he built Isabella Monastery of St John of the Kings.

She was a woman of great character and very choice. He instructed his children that had a range of obligations for their sons of kings, and that they had sacrificed a lot for this reason. He took with him during military campaigns, but also ensured their welfare always, as evidenced by the value before the riot that took place in Segovia Castle in 1476. There had installed the kings court and eldest her daughter lived there under the protection and care of her friend Beatrice of Bobadilla and her husband, the governor Andres de Cabrera. This was of Jewish origin and was accused of wanting to take advantage of the trust that had kings. The tumult became a riot when some provocateurs disguised as peasants, and concealed weapons, harangued the people to oust the governor. Towards the castle dirigó a mass of angry people, peasants armed with tools, stones and sticks. The Queen was with Cardinal Mendoza when she heard what happened. Afraid of risk that could run her daughter, Queen mounted her horse and, accompanied by three guards, rode for 60 miles to Segovia. At the entrance to the city, the bishop tried to stop the great danger, but Isabell did not hear the bishop's advice and went to the castle. She entered and left the door open for them to enter all the mutineers to expose their complaints. After studying the complaints, holds office Andres de Cabrera. Her people kept faith from that time.

During the military campaigns of Fernando, Isabella always remained in the rear with her children and provide the necessary slope. His help was instrumental in the conquest of the Kingdom of Granada.

Isabella believed Columbus projects, despite much criticism and political backlash court and scientists. During her reign there were events of great significance for the history of Spain: the establishment of the Holy Inquisition, the creation of the Holy Brotherhood, the incorporation of the Kingdom of Granada, religious unification of Hispanic Crown and forced conversion (so death penalty) of Jews and Muslims.

Isabella had five children of Ferdinand (who had had other children before their marriage):

- Isabella (1470 - 1489) Princess of Asturias. Queen of Portugal. She died in childbirth with their first child.

- John (1478 - 1497) Prince of Asturias. He died of tuberculosis.

- Joanna I of Castile. Princess of Asturias and later Queen of Castile.

- Mary. Queen of Portugal by her marriage to Manuel I of Portugal (widower of her sister).

- Catalina. Princess of Wales by her marriage to Prince Arthur of Wales (which was widowed) and, later, Queen of England for her marriage to Henry VIII.

At the end of her days, the family misfortunes were primed in her. The death of her only son and abortion of the wife, the death of her eldest daughter and her grandson Michael, the madness of her daughter Joanna and slights of Philip the Handsome, and the uncertainty of her daughter Catalina after English death of her husband, the plunged into a deep depression that made full mourning dress. It is said that upon hearing the sad news of the death of her son said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be your name."

Detained in Medina del Campo, when ill with uterine cancer that led her to the grave, and commanded to give mass for her soul, sure and aware the next order, called Extreme Unction and the Blessed Sacrament. She was buried in the Royal Chapel of Granada.