Osuna

Summary

Osuna (Spanish pronunciation: [oˈsuna]) is a town and municipality in the province of Seville, southern Spain, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. As of 2009, it has a population of c. 17,800. It is the location of the Andalusian Social Economy School.

Osuna
View of Osuna
View of Osuna
Flag of Osuna
Coat of arms of Osuna
Osuna is located in Spain
Osuna
Osuna
Location in Spain
Coordinates: 37°14′N 05°06′W / 37.233°N 5.100°W / 37.233; -5.100
Country Spain
Autonomous communityAndalusia
ProvinceSeville
Government
 • MayorRosario Andújar Torrejón (PSOE)
Area
 • Total592.49 km2 (228.76 sq mi)
Elevation
328 m (1,076 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total17,622
 • Density30/km2 (77/sq mi)
DemonymUrsaonense
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
41640
WebsiteOfficial website

Osuna is built on a hill, overlooking the fertile plain watered by the Salado, a sub-tributary of the Guadalquivir.[2]


History edit

The battle of Munda, the last battle won by Julius Caesar in person, was probably fought outside Osuna, halfway to Écija near La Lantejuela.

Osuna was taken from the Almohads in 1239, and given by Alphonso X to the Order of Calatrava in 1264. Don Pedro Girón appropriated it to himself in 1445. One of his descendants, Don Pedro Téllez, was the first holder of the title duke of Osuna, conferred on him by Philip II in 1562.[2]

Among famous people associated with Osuna is Juan de Ayala, the commander of the first European ship to enter the San Francisco Bay in California.

Sights edit

On the top of the hill stands the collegiate church, dating from 1534 and containing interesting Spanish and early German paintings. These, however, as well as the sculptures over the portal, suffered considerably during the occupation of the place by the French under Marshal Soult. The vaults, which are supported by Moorish arches, contain the tombs of the Girón family, and the church was founded by Don Juan Téllez.[2]

The university of Osuna, also founded by Don Juan Téllez in 1549, was suppressed in 1820.[2]

In popular culture edit

In Michelangelo Antonioni's film, The Passenger, the character Locke (played by Jack Nicholson) is assassinated in a hotel set in Osuna (Hotel de la Gloria), although actually filmed in Vera (Almería), Spain.

In 2014, parts of the fifth season of HBO's Game of Thrones were filmed in the town.[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. ^ a b c d   One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Osuna". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 20 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 363–364.
  3. ^ Ashifa Kassam (3 November 2014). "Swords and superfans – Game of Thrones invades Osuna". The Guardian.

External links edit

  • Information about Osuna from the Andalusian Statistical Institute (in Spanish).
  • Photo Essay on Osuna