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Bigastro

Bigastro
Municipality
Coat of arms of Bigastro
Coat of arms
Bigastro is located in Spain
Bigastro
Bigastro
Location in Spain
Coordinates: 38°03′47″N 0°53′44″W / 38.06306°N 0.89556°W / 38.06306; -0.89556Coordinates: 38°03′47″N 0°53′44″W / 38.06306°N 0.89556°W / 38.06306; -0.89556
Country  Spain
Autonomous community  Valencian Community
Province Alicante
Comarca Vega Baja del Segura
Judicial district Orihuela
Government
 • Alcalde Rául Valerio Medina Lorente (2008) (PSPV-PSOE)
Area
 • Total 4.10 km2 (1.58 sq mi)
Elevation 24 m (79 ft)
Population (2008)
 • Total 6,761
 • Density 1,600/km2 (4,300/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Bigastrense
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 03380
Official language(s) Spanish
Website Official website

Bigastro (Spanish pronunciation: [biˈɣastɾo]) is a district in the Valencian Community (Spain) situated in the south of the province of Alicante, in the comarca of Vega Baja del Segura. It had a population of 6,450 at the time of the 2005 census.

In La Loma there is an archaeological site dating from the Bronze Age. The district derives its name from the Lugar Nuevo de los Canónigos, a place of residence for the canons of Orihuela cathedral, which once had power over the area. In 1701, after some lawsuits with the settlers, the church made some allowances which permitted the foundation of Bigastro, starting with three estates, in which 24 families lived.

At the time of its foundation, agriculture was concentrated around flax and hemp; in the 19th century, the fall of the textile sector sparked interest in citrus fruits and products from irrigated fields. There is also industrial activity, mainly in the form of construction and manufacturing.

In 2005, Bigastro had 6,450 residents, 11.79% of which were foreigners. The most common nationality was British (22% of all foreigners).

The young age of the town means that some landlord's homes survive, along with some farmer's dwellings dispersed throughout the area. One unique monument that must be mentioned is the Church of the Virgin of Bethlehem, where a sculpture of Saint Joachim of Salzillo.

The typical dishes in the area are stew and rabbit with rice. Other important dishes in Bigastro come from the pastry shops: almojábanas, toñas, almendrados, monas and soplillos.


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