A cheerful and clear sky and several streets of irregular shape

 We are heading towards Argente - which is really in the middle of somewhere, just not a very populated somewhere. It is a splendid example of rural Spain. Some refurbishments, some garish colours, some old and decayed and some plots, like missing teeth, reminding us of what once was.




The wiki page [Spanish] doesn’t bother with such things Moors or Christians, nope. Straight into the GSH Dictionary.  I’ve got to say, it is a good one.



ARGENTE: l. with town hall of the province and diocese of Teruel (9 1/2 leagues),situated on a well-ventilated height, with a cheerful and clear sky; its climate is cold, but healthy; it has 180 houses distributed in several streets of irregular shape and covered with such uneven rubble that it makes its floor very uncomfortable; there is 1 primary school attended by 50 or 60 students under the direction of 1 examined teacher, endowed with its own funds with the amount of 800 reales and 50 fanegas of wheat: and 1 parish church under the patronage of St. Mary Magdalene, served by 1 priest, 2 beneficed clergy and 4 sacristans and dependents: the curacy is by appointment and its presentation corresponds to the ecclesiastical chapter. In Teruel: the church occupies the highest part of the town, and is a solid building of ancient architecture, composed of 3 spacious naves with 9 altars: the parish cemetery is near the church; there are several hermitages around the town; to the west are those of San Roque and Sta. Quitería, and to the east, at a distance of 1/2 an hour, that of the Virgen del Campo: at the same distance, more or less, is the only spring that the town has, so scarce that it barely suffices for the consumption of the residents. The land is all flat and of good quality, although lacking water for irrigation: commonly 800 yokes of rich and strong or first-class land are cultivated, 1,500 of second and 2 of third class: there is 1 good holm oak forest and abundant pasture grasses: products : wheat, rye, morcacho, oats, lentils, potatoes; and sheep are raised. Population : 134 households, 536 inhabitants 



204 people live here today. As always the fall away from the 600s came in the 1960s.  The official website link on the wiki pages doesn’t work and no one seems to have dated them since 2019.




First stop in the town is the old communal washing space. We will gaze and move on.




The town was once defended. Jose notes ‘On Calle la Iglesia in the town of Argente, opposite the Church of Santa María La Mayor, at the highest point of the hill where the town is located, stands this tower of the old 14th-century castle. It is a defensive tower with a square floor plan and a sloping base, which was part of the now-vanished castle. A stroll through this town is highly recommended.’



We will pop into the bakery Benedicto Yago Yuste.  Mostly people are happy. A month ago Jr possibly demonstrated the paucity of his experience when he went all one star. ‘The worst loaf of bread we've ever tasted. They take advantage of being the only one (hopefully for now) delivering bread in the area, which makes everyone else keep quiet, but someone has to say something.’   The same size is a bit small. Cristina thought ‘Very nice people, and the bread and pastries were exquisite!!! It couldn't be better.’



That’s it, On the road again.



















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