Mequinenza

Mequinenza (Spanish: [mekiˈnenθa]) or Mequinensa (Catalan: [məkiˈnɛnsə], locally: [mekiˈnɛnsa]) is a town and municipality of the province of Zaragoza, in the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It is located by the confluence of the rivers Segre and Ebro.

History and features

It was conquered from the Moors by the Count Ramon Berenguer IV of Barcelona in 1149.

In 1412, during the Compromise of Caspe, Antonio de Luna and supporters of James of Urgell created in Mequinenza his own parliament of Aragón (the parliament of Alcañiz supported to Ferdinand of Antequera), but they weren't recognized by the parliament of Tortosa.

In the Siege of Mequinenza in May and June 1810, a French army under Marshal Louis Gabriel Suchet wrested the town and castle from Colonel Carbon and 1,000 Spanish defenders.

During the Battle of the Ebro in the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) there were violent battles in the Auts, south across the river from Mequinensa.

This town is located in La Franja, the local dialect is a variant of Catalan. The town celebrates festivals in honor of Santa Agatoclia (called simply “La Santa”) from September 16 to 20.