# Calatayud

> municipality of Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q496424](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q496424)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calatayud)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/calatayud

## Summary
Calatayud is a municipality and city capital in Zaragoza Province, Aragon, Spain, founded in 1120 by Alphonse I of Aragon. It serves as the administrative center for the Community of Calatayud and is known for its historical significance, including the Siege of Calatayud, and its status as a "ciudad" (city) with a population of 19,391 as of 2024.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Municipality capital and populated place nucleus in Spain.
- **Location**: Zaragoza Province, Aragon, Spain (coordinates: 41.35353°N, -1.64318°W).
- **Population**: 19,391 (resident register, 2024).
- **Founded**: 1120 by Alphonse I of Aragon, following the Battle of Cutanda.
- **Historical Context**: Replaces the settlement of Qalʿat ʾAyyūb; part of the Kingdom of Aragon (1120–1707) before becoming part of modern Spain (since 1707).
- **Etymology**: Derived from "qalat" (fortress), associated with Ayyub ibn Habib al-Lakhmi.
- **INE Code**: 50067000101.
- **Awards**: Granted the "ciudad" (city) title.
- **Significant Event**: Siege of Calatayud.
- **Administrative Role**: Capital of the Community of Calatayud (inception: October 11, 2001).
- **Related Entities**:
  - Calatayud railway station (railway station in Calatayud).
  - Church of San Pedro de los Francos (church in Calatayud).
  - Calatayud PDO (protected designation of origin for wine, inception: 1989).
  - Bullring of Calatayud (bullring, inception: September 9, 1877).
  - Collegiate church of Santa María (Catholic parish church in Zaragoza).
  - Augusta Bilbilis (ancient Roman city in Hispania).
  - Collegiate Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (church in Calatayud).

## FAQs
**Where is Calatayud located?**
Calatayud is located in Zaragoza Province, within the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It serves as the capital of the municipality of Calatayud and the Community of Calatayud.

**Who founded Calatayud and when?**
The city was founded in 1120 by Alphonse I of Aragon, following the Battle of Cutanda, which occurred in the same year.

**What is the historical significance of the city's name?**
The name "Calatayud" is derived from "qalat," meaning fortress, and is associated with Ayyub ibn Habib al-Lakhmi. The city replaced the earlier settlement of Qalʿat ʾAyyūb.

**What is the population of Calatayud?**
As of 2024, the population of the municipality capital is 19,391 residents, according to the resident register.

**What are the key historical events associated with Calatayud?**
Key events include the Siege of Calatayud and the founding of the city in 1120 by Alphonse I of Aragon, which marked its inception during the Reconquista.

**What administrative roles does Calatayud hold?**
Calatayud serves as the capital of the Community of Calatayud and the municipality of Calatayud, with an INE code of 50067000101.

## Why It Matters
Calatayud holds administrative and historical significance as a regional capital in Aragon, Spain. Founded in 1120, it played a role in the Reconquista and later became a key urban center under the Kingdom of Aragon. The city's strategic location and its status as a "ciudad" (city) reflect its enduring importance in Spanish history. Its designation as the capital of the Community of Calatayud further underscores its role in regional governance. The Siege of Calatayud and its replacement of the ancient settlement of Qalʿat ʾAyyūb highlight its historical evolution. Culturally, Calatayud is associated with notable landmarks such as the Calatayud PDO for wine and the Collegiate Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

## Notable For
- Being the capital of the Community of Calatayud and the municipality of Calatayud.
- Its foundation by Alphonse I of Aragon in 1120, following the Battle of Cutanda.
- Replacing the ancient settlement of Qalʿat ʾAyyūb.
- Holding the official title of "ciudad" (city).
- Its strategic location evidenced by the historical Siege of Calatayud.
- Having a unique identifier in multiple geographic databases (GeoNames, Getty Thesaurus).
- Serving as the headquarters for the Community of Calatayud (inception: October 11, 2001).
- Associated with the Calatayud PDO, a protected designation of origin for wine (inception: 1989).
- Home to the Bullring of Calatayud (inception: September 9, 1877) and the Church of San Pedro de los Francos.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Calatayud is situated in Zaragoza Province, Aragon, Spain, with precise coordinates of 41.35353°N latitude and -1.64318°W longitude. Administratively, it functions as a municipality capital and populated place nucleus, with an INE code of 50067000101. The city is distinct from but partially coincident with the historical location of Qalʿat ʾAyyūb.

### History
The city was officially founded in 1120 by Alphonse I of Aragon, following the Battle of Cutanda, which marked the beginning of the Reconquista. Calatayud replaced the earlier settlement of Qalʿat ʾAyyūb and became a significant location within the Kingdom of Aragon from 1120 until 1707, after which it became part of modern Spain. The Siege of Calatayud is a notable historical event associated with the city.

### Etymology and Names
The name "Calatayud" is derived from "qalat," meaning fortress, and is linked to the historical figure Ayyub ibn Habib al-Lakhmi. The city is known by several aliases and historical names, including قلعة أيوب (Qalʿat ʾAyyūb), Calataiud, and "city of Calatayud." It is explicitly differentiated from Augusta Bilbilis in geographic records.

### Demographics
According to the resident register, the population of the municipality capital is 19,391 as of 2024. The population has fluctuated over time, with recorded values including 20,926, 21,174, 20,837, 21,717, 21,933, 21,905, 21,040, 20,001, 20,263, 19,634, 18,531, 17,970, 20,658, 19,724, 20,191, 20,173, 20,035, 20,024, 20,092, 19,870, 19,776, 19,677, 19,850, and 20,158.

### Identifiers and External Links
Calatayud is indexed in various international databases:
- **GeoNames ID**: 3127047
- **Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID**: 7007574
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -374989
- **Who's on First ID**: 101776043
- **Yale Lux ID**: place/d920812e-f56b-4579-a7a8-60c1308a6b05
- **OpenWeatherMap City ID**: 3127047

### Visual and Heraldic Data
The city utilizes a specific coat of arms (Escudo de Calatayud). Photographic and cartographic resources include a locator map image (Calatayud_in_Aragon.png) and a main image from 2008. The associated Wikimedia Commons category is "City of Calatayud."

### Related Entities
Calatayud is connected to several notable entities:
- **Calatayud railway station**: A railway station in Calatayud.
- **Church of San Pedro de los Francos**: A church in Calatayud.
- **Calatayud PDO**: A protected designation of origin for wine, established in 1989.
- **Bullring of Calatayud**: A bullring in Calatayud, established in 1877.
- **Collegiate church of Santa María**: A Catholic parish church in Zaragoza.
- **Augusta Bilbilis**: An ancient Roman city in Hispania.
- **Collegiate Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre**: A church in Calatayud.

### Administrative Role
Calatayud serves as the capital of the Community of Calatayud, which was established on October 11, 2001. The community is headquartered at .

### Website and Population Data
The official website of Calatayud is [http://www.calatayud.es/](http://www.calatayud.es/). Population data includes various recorded values over the years, reflecting fluctuations in the city's demographic profile.

## References

1. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition)
2. BnF authorities
3. OpenStreetMap
4. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/spain/timezones.php)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. datos.bne.es
8. MusicBrainz
9. Municipal Register of Spain 2013
10. Municipal Register of Spain 2012
11. Municipal Register of Spain 2011
12. Municipal Register of Spain 2010
13. Municipal Register of Spain 2009
14. Municipal Register of Spain 2008
15. Municipal Register of Spain 2007
16. Municipal Register of Spain 2006
17. Municipal Register of Spain 2005
18. Municipal Register of Spain 2004
19. Municipal Register of Spain 2002
20. Municipal Register of Spain 2001
21. Municipal Register of Spain 2014
22. Municipal Register of Spain 2015
23. Municipal Register of Spain 2016
24. Municipal Register of Spain 2017
25. Municipal Register of Spain 2018
26. [Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero. National Statistics Institute](http://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/index.htm?padre=525)
27. Municipal Register of Spain 2019
28. Municipal Register of Spain 2020
29. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021
30. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022
31. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023
32. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024
33. Municipal Register of Spain of 2025
34. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019
35. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525)
36. [Source](https://datos.gob.es/es/catalogo/a02002834-nomenclator-ano-20147)
37. Quora
38. Límites municipales, provinciales y autonómicos
39. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)