Ourense

For the province, see Ourense Province.

Ourense Orense
View of the Roman bridge in Ourense that traverses the Miño river
Flag Coat of arms
Ourense Location of Ourense within Spain
Coordinates: 42°20′24″N 7°51′53″W / 42.340009°N 7.864641°W / 42.340009; -7.864641
Country	Spain
Autonomous Community	Galicia
Province	Ourense
Comarca	Ourense
Government
- Type	Mayor-council government
- Body	Concello de Ourense
- Mayor	Francisco Rodríguez Fernández (Socialist Party of Galicia)
Area
- Total	85.2 km2 (32.9 sq mi)
Elevation	132 m (433 ft)
Population (2010)INE
- Total	108,674
Demonym	ourensano (m), ourensana (f) ourensan (m), ourensana (f)
Time zone	CET (GMT +1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (GMT +2) (UTC)
Postcode	362--
Area code(s)	+34 988
ISO 3166-2	ES-OU
Website	ourense.es

Ourense (in Galician; Orense in Spanish), is a city in northwestern Spain, the capital of the province of the same name in Galicia. Its population of 108,674 (2010) accounts for 30% of the population of the province and makes it the third largest city of Galicia.

Population

The population of the city in 2010 was 108,673 inhabitants, which makes the city the third largest of Galicia.

In 2010 there were 5,943 foreigners living in the city, representing a 5.46% of the total population. The main nationalities are Portuguese (18%), Colombians (12%) and Brazilians (11%)^[1].

By language, according to 2008 data, 19% of the population speak always in Galician, 25% speak always in Spanish and the rest use both interchangeably ^[2].

History

The origin of the town can be traced to the Romans and the presence of hot springs called the Burgas. These can still be seen today. There was also the need to fortify the place to protect one of the easiest ways to cross the Miño River. After the Romans, Ourense was part of the Suebi (Suevi) kingdom during most of the 5th, 6th, and 7th centuries and was destroyed by the Moors in 716. It was later rebuilt by Alfonso III of Asturias about 877. The Norse invasions as well as attacks from the Arab warlord Al-Mansur once more laid the city to waste. It was only under Sancho II and his sister Doña Elvira that the city was resettled during 11th century. The definitive urban impulse did not arrive until the 12th century when Ourense became an important center of services.

Geography and climate

The ancient city of Auria is located on both banks of the Minho (Miño) River in the south-central part of Galicia, at an elevation of 128 m above sea level. The city has a microclimate that brings abundant rainfall and allows for verdant vegetation on the nearby hills. Winters are mild with lows rarely falling below zero degrees Celsius. Because of the location in the river valley summers can be quite hot, often equalling temperatures of Andalucia. Many local families have apartments on the coast (Vigo is only an hour away by car) where they can escape the heat of July and August.

The river divides a rather industrial western suburb, which contains the railroad station, from the main town. Three highway and one railroad bridge cross the river in addition to the famous Roman Bridge, which is now closed to vehicle traffic.

Climate data for Ourense
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	12.1 (53.8)	14.7 (58.5)	18.1 (64.6)	19.0 (66.2)	22.3 (72.1)	26.7 (80.1)	29.7 (85.5)	29.9 (85.8)	26.6 (79.9)	20.9 (69.6)	15.5 (59.9)	12.7 (54.9)	20.6
Daily mean °C (°F)	7.5 (45.5)	9.2 (48.6)	11.4 (52.5)	12.7 (54.9)	15.7 (60.3)	19.4 (66.9)	22.1 (71.8)	22.0 (71.6)	19.4 (66.9)	15.1 (59.2)	10.8 (51.4)	8.5 (47.3)	14.5
Average low °C (°F)	2.9 (37.2)	3.7 (38.7)	4.6 (40.3)	6.3 (43.3)	9.2 (48.6)	12.2 (54.0)	14.6 (58.3)	14.2 (57.6)	12.3 (54.1)	9.3 (48.7)	6.1 (43.0)	4.4 (39.9)	8.3
Precipitation mm (inches)	90 (3.54)	81 (3.19)	54 (2.13)	70 (2.76)	67 (2.64)	39 (1.54)	19 (0.75)	23 (0.91)	57 (2.24)	97 (3.82)	93 (3.66)	124 (4.88)	817 (32.17)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)	10	10	8	11	10	5	3	3	6	10	10	11	97
Sunshine hours	87	105	167	180	199	239	272	270	201	138	90	70	2,043
Source: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología[3]

Economy

The economy in the city of Ourense is marked by a predominance of service sector, the city has the largest shopping and leisure in the province, and administrative services (Xunta delegation, central and provincial government offices) , educational (campus of the University of Vigo) and health (Ourense Hospital Complex) of reference. Construction industry is also important (Copasa, one of the biggest Galician construction companies, is headquartered in the city).

The industrial area of San Cibrao das Viñas has many light industries including several important clothing factories, like Adolfo Dominguez and Roberto Verino, as well as automotive supplier industries.

Tecnopole, Technology Park of Galicia, situated in the outskirts of the city, is a 550.000 square metre area with advanced services for companies with a technological basis and high innovating profile. The following centres do their business work from the Tecnopole: the wood technological centres (CIS-Madeira), the meat technological centre (Centro Tecnolóxico da Carne), the metallurgy centre (Aimen) and the Coren Incubation Centre (CTI), the Research, Transfer and Innovation Centre (Centro de Innovación, Transferencia e Investigación or CITI) of the University of Vigo, and the Official Laboratory of Meteorology of Galicia ( Laboratorio Oficial de Metereoloxía de Galicia or LOMG).

As a producer, Ourense is world renowned as a producer of European chestnuts (Castanea sativa).

Coren, one of the Spanish agricultural sector's most important companies, is headquartered in Ourense. The most-read province newspaper is La Región.

Sightseeing

Although mainly a town of services, Ourense is not without its tourist sites. The town has three parts: the medieval, the area of 19th-century expansion, and the modern perimeter. Many who pass by on the highway linking Madrid to Vigo are unaware of the medieval quarter, with its narrow streets and tiny plazas. Once an area of a certain dilapidated charm the area is now undergoing renovation and is full of typical restaurants and bars patronized by the university students of the town. The Plaza Mayor is the center of city life with its arcaded shops and the simple, but beautiful Town Hall.

The cathedral is the most important monument in Ourense. This cathedral (founded 572; rebuilt in the 13th century) is the second oldest in Galicia. It occupies the same site as the Suevian basilica that stood there in earlier times. Romanesque in structure, but with a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles, it is rather hidden away but, contains a façade with the Door of Paradise in imitation of the Door of Glory of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Inside, the Capilla del Cristo, or Christ's Chapel (16th century), contains a crucifix venerated throughout Galicia.

The Miño is crossed at Ourense by one of the most remarkable bridges in Spain, the Ponte Vella (Old Bridge). With Roman foundations, it was reconstructed by Bishop Lorenzo in 1230 but frequently repaired since then; it has seven arches and a central span of 141 feet (43 m).^[4] Now closed to automobile traffic, it is worth a crossing to contemplate the swirling waters of the Miño below.

Another must is the former episcopal palace, which houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum. The collections found therein comprise an interesting series of the Bronze Age, as well as various Roman and Romanesque objects.

Barallete

Barallete was the name of an argot employed by the traditional knife-sharpeners and umbrella holders (afiadores e paragüeiros) of Ourense. It was based on the Galician language as spoken in Ourense, but its users substituted everyday words with invented ones of no linguistic connection, making it impossible for other people to understand it.

Images

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  Roman bridge

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  Main square

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  Ourense Cathedral

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  María Auxiliadora Collegiate Church

References

1. ^ http://www.ige.eu/igebdt/esqv.jsp?ruta=verTabla.jsp?OP=1&B=1&M=&COD=966&R=9915[12:32054];0[10];1[all]&C=2[0]&F=&S=
2. ^ http://www.ige.eu/igebdt/esqv.jsp?ruta=verTabla.jsp?OP=1&B=1&M=&COD=3015&R=2[4]&C=1[0];0[all]&F=&S=
3. ^ "Valores Climatológicos Normales. Ourense" (in Spanish). AEMet. http://www.aemet.es/es/elclima/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=1690A&k=gal. Retrieved 2010-10-11. 
4. ^ Ponte Vella at Structurae

External links

• Concello de Ourense (In Galician)
• La Región, Ourense's local newspaper founded in 1910
• Galicia Turismo: Turgalicia
• Ourenet: Buscador da la Provincia de Ourense
• Map of Ourense by MapQuest
• General information, images, forums and more
• Photographs of Ourense

Coordinates: 42°20′N 7°52′W / 42.333°N 7.867°W / 42.333; -7.867