Loja, Granada

Spanish city


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native_name = Loja
spanish_name = Loja
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image_city_map_size = 250px
image_city_map_caption = Location of Loja
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native_language = Spanish
community = Andalusia
community_link = Andalusia
province = Granada
province_link = Granada (province)
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mayor = Miguel Castellano Gámez
political_party = PSOE
political_party_link = Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
area = 454.7
altitude = 448
population = 20,888
date-population = 2005
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density = 45.94
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website = http://www.aytoloja.org/
postal_code = 183XX
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Loja is a town in southern Spain, situated at the western limit of the province of Granada. It is surrounded by the so-called Sierras de Loja, of which the highest peak, Sierra Gorda, stands 1,671 metres above sea-level. Formerly the Moorish town of Medina Lawsa, Loja was captured by the Christians in 1486, during the reconquista. Isabella of Castile called it the "flower among thorns". The town's Islamic heritage is still evident in the quarter of the alcazaba.

References

*cite web | title = Spain-Holiday page on Loja | url = http://www.spain-holiday.com/informations/spain/travel/guide/areas/321/Loja/3/Granada/0/Andalucia/Loja.html | accessdate = 2007-10-21