Guadalajara, Spain

Guadalajara ( GWAH-də-lə-HAR-ə, Spanish: [ɡwaðalaˈxaɾa] ) is a city and municipality in Spain, located in the autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha. It is the capital of the Province of Guadalajara. Guadalajara lies on the central part of the Iberian Peninsula at roughly 685 meters (2,247 ft) above sea level. Most of the city housing is located on the left (southern) bank of the Henares, in between the river and the moors of La Alcarria.

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Battle of Guadalajara

The Battle of Guadalajara saw the victory of the Spanish Republican Army and of the International Brigades over the Italian and Nationalist forces attempting to encircle Madrid during the Spanish Civil War. The Nationalist forces involved in the Battle of Guadalajara were primarily the Italian Corps of Volunteer Troops. The battle opened with an Italian offensive on 8 March. This offensive was halted by 11 March. Between 12 and 14 March, renewed Italian attacks were supported by Spanish Nationalist units. These were halted too. On 15 March, a counter-offensive of the Republicans was prepared; it was successfully launched between 18 and 23 March. The battle was decided by the superiority of Soviet armoured vehicles over Italian ones. The combined Italian and Nationalist losses are estimated to have been 17,400 killed, wounded and captured, compared to 6,258 for the Republicans. As a result of a re-organisation and new leadership, the CTV improved its combat record after Guadalajara, which was the force's only defeat of the war.

Marina Restaurant

Palace of Antonio de Mendoza

The Palace of Antonio de Mendoza is a palace located in Guadalajara, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1931.

Castle Fire Station

Church of San Nicolás

The Church of San Nicolás is a church located in Guadalajara, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1981.

Church Fire Station

Church of la Piedad

The Church of la Piedad) is a church located in Guadalajara, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1931.

Church Fire Station

Church of Santiago el Mayor

The Church of Santiago el Mayor is a church located in Guadalajara, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1946.

Church Fire Station

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In addition to the city, the municipality also includes the villages of Iriépal, Taracena, Usanos, and Valdenoches. As of 1 January 2025, Guadalajara has a registered population of 93,470, which makes it the region's second most populated municipality. Founded in the 9th century as Madīnat al-Faraŷ under the Emirate of Córdoba, it became a stronghold of the Masmuda Berber clan of the Banū Sālim. After the Christian conquest of the Taifa of Toledo in 1085, it grew into a sizable town of the Crown of Castile under control of the Mendoza family. It was a hub for mystical iluminismo in the 16th century in the Kingdom of Toledo. Depopulation and decay of key economy parametres ensued in the 17th century. Growth in the 21st century was caused by its closeness to the functional urban area of Madrid.