Espartinas
Municipality of the Aljarafe located in the midst of a landscape of fields of olive trees, cereals and vineyards. There are many beautiful estates in the surroundings countryside, including those of Mejina, Tablantes, Loreto and Marchalomar.
Its most important monuments are the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and the Sanctuary of the Virgen de Loreto.
History
There are various theories regarding the origins of its name: some authors claim that it comes from Spolentium, referring to Roman soldiers from the city of Spolleto; others say it comes from the word Spartus, due to the abundance of esparto in the township; and there is another group that believes it comes from Espartales, place to where the survivors of an epidemic of the plague in Paterna de San Bartolomé moved to found a new town.
The origins of the locality date back to Roman times, of which a large number of archaeological remains have been found.
The Christian conquest was undertaken by the military Order of San Juan. The king Ferdinand III failed in his attempt to change the town"s name from Espartinas to Monasterios.
Espartinas took part in the battle of Baeza in 1281. The king Alphonso X granted it the right to use the royal arms with the Cross of Malta and the eight crosspieces of the battle of Baeza as a recompense for the bravery of its inhabitants.
In the 13th century it received Royal Privileges, which were confirmed by Alphonso XI a century later.
Eminent citizens
José Luis Núñez Castaños, poet.
