# Castrillo Mota de Judíos > municipality in Burgos province, Spain **Wikidata**: [Q976534](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q976534) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castrillo_Mota_de_Judíos) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/castrillo-mota-de-jud-os ## Summary Castrillo Mota de Judíos is a municipality located in the Province of Burgos, which is part of the Castile and León autonomous community in Spain. Founded in 1035, it is a small rural municipality situated at coordinates 42.307956°N latitude and -4.173086°W longitude. The municipality holds historical significance due to its name, which references its Jewish heritage, and represents one of the many historic municipalities within the Spanish administrative system. ## Key Facts - **Official Name:** Castrillo Mota de Judíos - **Type of Entity:** Municipality in Spain - **Country:** Spain - **Administrative Division:** Province of Burgos, Castile and León autonomous community - **Inception/Founding Date:** 1035 CE - **Coordinates:** 42.307956°N, -4.173086°W - **Website:** http://www.castrillomotadejudios.eu/ - **Wikipedia Title:** Castrillo Mota de Judíos - **Wikidata Description:** municipality in Burgos province, Spain - **Sitelink Count:** 43 - **Aliases:** Castrillo Motajudíos, Castrillo Mota de Judios, Castrillo Motajudios - **Parent Administrative Entity:** Municipality of Spain (administrative territorial entity of Spain, inception: 1842) - **Population:** Historical population data recorded at various points: 80, 75, 80, 58, 58, 56, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 51, 52, 48 (values in tens, indicating small population) ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Castrillo Mota de Judíos?** Castrillo Mota de Judíos is a municipality (municipio) in Spain, which is the lowest level of administrative territorial entity in the Spanish system. It is located within the Province of Burgos, which is one of the 50 provinces in Spain, and falls under the Castile and León autonomous community, one of Spain's 17 autonomous communities. **When was Castrillo Mota de Judíos founded?** Castrillo Mota de Judíos was founded in 1035 CE, making it a municipality with over 980 years of history. This founding date places it among the older municipalities in the region, predating many modern administrative divisions in Europe. **Where is Castrillo Mota de Judíos located geographically?** The municipality is situated at coordinates 42.307956°N latitude and -4.173086°W longitude. This places it in north-central Spain, within the Province of Burgos in the autonomous community of Castile and León. The location is in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. **What is the historical significance of Castrillo Mota de Judíos?** The municipality's name "Mota de Judíos" (meaning "Mound of the Jews" in Spanish) indicates historical Jewish presence in the area. This naming convention is found in several Spanish localities and reflects the historical Jewish communities that lived in Spain before the expulsion of 1492. The municipality preserves this historical heritage as part of its identity. **What is the relationship between Castrillo Mota de Judíos and the Province of Burgos?** Castrillo Mota de Judíos is administratively located within the Province of Burgos, which is one of the nine provinces comprising the Castile and León autonomous community in northern Spain. The Province of Burgos has its own provincial capital of the same name, Burgos, which serves as the administrative center for the province. ## Why It Matters Castrillo Mota de Judíos represents a living example of Spain's medieval history and the diverse cultural heritage that characterized the Iberian Peninsula. The municipality's name serves as tangible evidence of the Jewish communities that historically inhabited the region during the medieval period, contributing to Spain's rich multicultural past. As a municipality founded in 1035, it predates many modern nation-states and has witnessed the entire sweep of Spanish history, from the Reconquista to the present day. The municipality matters because it exemplifies the administrative continuity of the Spanish municipal system, which has evolved since the mid-19th century (the municipal framework was formalized in 1842) while preserving older historical foundations. Its existence within the Province of Burgos places it in one of Spain's most historically significant provinces, which contains numerous medieval towns, cathedrals, and cultural landmarks. Furthermore, Castrillo Mota de Judíos contributes to understanding the geographic and demographic distribution of rural Spain. As a small municipality with a modest population, it represents the many rural communities that form the backbone of Spanish territorial organization, with Spain containing over 8,124 municipalities across its 17 autonomous communities and 50 provinces. ## Notable For - **Historical Name:** The name "Mota de Judíos" directly references Jewish heritage and presence during the medieval period, making it historically significant for understanding Jewish history in Spain - **Ancient Foundation:** Founded in 1035 CE, making it nearly 1,000 years old - **Geographic Location:** Situated in the Province of Burgos, part of historic Castile and León - **Administrative Continuity:** Part of Spain's municipal system, which comprises over 8,124 municipalities - **Rural Character:** Represents the many small rural municipalities that maintain Spain's territorial structure - **Cultural Heritage:** Preserves historical naming conventions reflecting medieval Spain's multicultural composition ## Body ### Geography and Location Castrillo Mota de Judíos is located in north-central Spain on the Iberian Peninsula. The municipality sits at coordinates 42.307956°N latitude and -4.173086°W longitude, placing it in the interior highlands of the Castile and León region. The Province of Burgos, where the municipality is located, is one of the largest and most historically significant provinces in Spain, characterized by a landscape of rolling plains, river valleys, and historic towns. The municipality's location within Castile and León places it in one of Spain's 17 autonomous communities, which are the first-level administrative divisions of the country. Castile and León is the largest autonomous community in Spain by area, comprising nine provinces: Ávila, Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid, and Zamora. The Province of Burgos serves as one of the core provinces of this region, with the city of Burgos serving as the provincial capital. ### History and Foundation Castrillo Mota de Judíos was founded in 1035 CE, during the medieval period of Spanish history. This founding date is significant as it places the municipality's establishment in the context of the Reconquista—the period when Christian kingdoms gradually reclaimed the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. The year 1035 falls within the era of the Kingdom of León and the early expansion of Castile as a distinct political entity. The municipality's name carries particular historical weight. The suffix "Mota de Judíos" translates to "Mound of the Jews" or "Hill of the Jews" in Spanish, indicating that the area was historically associated with Jewish communities. This naming convention reflects the presence of Jewish populations in medieval Spain, known as Al-Andalus, where Jewish communities lived alongside Christian and Muslim populations in relative tolerance until the expulsion orders of 1492. Many Spanish municipalities bear similar names referencing historical Jewish quarters or communities. The foundation of the municipality in 1035 predates the formal establishment of the current Spanish municipal system, which was standardized in 1842. However, the continuity of settlement at this location for nearly a millennium demonstrates the enduring nature of Spanish municipal structures and the importance of local governance throughout Spanish history. ### Administrative Structure Castrillo Mota de Judíos operates as a municipality (municipio) within the Kingdom of Spain, which is officially known as the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España). Spain is a parliamentary monarchy with Madrid as its capital, and the country is divided into 17 autonomous communities, 50 provinces, and 8,124 municipalities. The municipality falls within this hierarchical structure: it is part of the Province of Burgos, which is part of the Castile and León autonomous community, which is part of Spain. As a municipality of Spain, Castrillo Mota de Judíos operates under the framework established by Spanish law, which defines municipalities as the basic territorial entities for local administration. The municipal system was formalized in 1842, but many municipalities, including Castrillo Mota de Judíos, have historical origins dating back centuries earlier. Each municipality has its own local government, headed by a mayor (alcalde) and a municipal council (ayuntamiento). The Province of Burgos, within which Castrillo Mota de Judíos is located, is one of the 50 provinces of Spain. The province is named after its capital city, Burgos, which is also a historic city of significant importance in Spanish history. The province is part of the Castile and León autonomous community, which is the largest autonomous community in Spain by area. ### Demographics and Population While specific population figures are not provided in the source material, the population data recorded for Castrillo Mota de Judíos shows variation over time, with values recorded as: 80, 75, 80, 58, 58, 56, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 51, 52, 48 (these values appear to represent population in tens, indicating a small rural community). This pattern of population figures suggests a modest-sized rural municipality, typical of many municipalities in the Spanish interior. The demographic characteristics of Castrillo Mota de Judíos reflect broader trends in rural Spain, where many small municipalities have experienced population decline in recent decades as younger generations migrate to larger cities seeking employment and educational opportunities. However, the continued existence of the municipality demonstrates the resilience of Spain's municipal structure and the importance of maintaining local governance in rural areas. ### Cultural and Historical Significance The name "Castrillo Mota de Judíos" is perhaps the municipality's most distinctive feature from a cultural and historical perspective. This name indicates the historical presence of Jewish communities in the area during the medieval period. Jewish communities in medieval Spain, known as Aljamas, lived in many parts of the Iberian Peninsula and contributed significantly to Spanish culture, science, medicine, commerce, and the arts. The historical Jewish presence in Spain dates back to Roman times, but flourished particularly during the period of Muslim rule (711-1492 CE). Jewish communities in Spain developed rich cultural traditions and played important roles in the intellectual life of the peninsula. The expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, following the Alhambra Decree, marked the end of this golden age of Jewish presence in Spain. Today, municipalities like Castrillo Mota de Judíos preserve the memory of these historical communities through their names, serving as tangible evidence of Spain's multicultural past. This heritage is part of what makes the municipality historically significant beyond its small size. ### Relationship to Spain's Administrative Framework Castrillo Mota de Judíos is part of Spain's complex administrative structure, which reflects the country's history of regional diversity and autonomy. Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities, each with varying degrees of self-governance. Castile and León, the autonomous community to which the municipality belongs, is one of the largest and most historically significant of these regions. The municipality is also part of the Province of Burgos, which is one of the 50 provinces that divide Spain's territory. Provinces serve as intermediate administrative units between autonomous communities and municipalities. The Province of Burgos, in particular, contains numerous historic towns and cities that reflect the rich history of the region. As a municipality of Spain, Castrillo Mota de Judíos operates within a legal framework established at the national level, but also benefits from the autonomy granted to Spain's regions. The Spanish system of local government provides municipalities with significant powers over local affairs, including urban planning, local taxation, and the provision of basic public services. ### Connection to Broader Spanish Context Castrillo Mota de Judíos exists within the broader context of Spanish history and administration. Spain, as a country, has a rich history spanning millennia, from the Roman occupation through the medieval period to the modern democratic state. The country is a member of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations, and operates as a parliamentary monarchy with King Felipe VI as Head of State and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as Head of Government. The municipality's location in Castile and León places it in a region known for its historical significance, medieval architecture, and cultural traditions. Castile and León is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, historic cathedrals, and medieval walled cities. The Province of Burgos, in particular, is famous for its Gothic cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the finest examples of Spanish Gothic architecture. As part of this broader context, Castrillo Mota de Judíos contributes to the tapestry of Spanish municipal life, representing the small rural communities that have maintained continuous habitation for centuries. These municipalities form the foundation of Spain's territorial organization and preserve the country's rich historical heritage. ### Modern Administration and Services As a municipality within Spain, Castrillo Mota de Judíos operates under the administrative framework established by Spanish law. The municipality maintains a local government that handles local affairs, and it is connected to the broader infrastructure of Spain, including emergency services (reachable through the European emergency number 112), transportation networks, and administrative services. The municipality has an official website (http://www.castrillomotadejudios.eu/) which provides information about local services, events, and administrative matters. This digital presence reflects the modernization of Spanish local government and the effort to provide citizens with access to information and services online. Spain's administrative system, with its combination of national, regional, provincial, and municipal levels of government, provides a framework within which municipalities like Castrillo Mota de Judíos can function while maintaining their unique historical and cultural identities. ## References 1. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition) 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. Register of Local Entities 4. OpenStreetMap 5. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/spain/timezones.php) 6. Iberpix 7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 8. Municipal Register of Spain 2013 9. Municipal Register of Spain 2012 10. Municipal Register of Spain 2011 11. Municipal Register of Spain 2010 12. Municipal Register of Spain 2009 13. Municipal Register of Spain 2008 14. Municipal Register of Spain 2007 15. Municipal Register of Spain 2006 16. Municipal Register of Spain 2005 17. Municipal Register of Spain 2004 18. Municipal Register of Spain 2002 19. Municipal Register of Spain 2003 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. Modifications in the municipalities produced from 01-01-15 to 01-01-2016 35. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525) 36. GeoNames 37. Límites municipales, provinciales y autonómicos