Lucena

Lucena is a town in southern Spain, in the province of Córdoba, Andalusia, 60 km southeast of Córdoba, 85 km north of Málaga, 140 km east of Seville, 105 km west of Granada, and 90 km southwest of Jaén. It is the second major city (population c. 42,000) in the province after the provincial capital, Córdoba. It is located at the conjunction of important highways in the geographical center of Andalusia. People from Lucena are called lucentinos. The city was originally known as Eliossana, from the Hebrew אלי הושענא Elí hoshanna, "May God save us". Muslims called it اليشانة Al-Yussana.GeographyLucena is situated on the Lucena River, a minor tributary of the Genil, on an important crossroads at the very center of Andalusia.Over 90 percent of the population lives to the northeast of the city district (término municipal).HistoryIn early times Lucena was inhabited almost exclusively by Jews who had arrived together with its founders; hence it was called "Jews' City", a nickname also applied to Granada and Tarragona. The Jews of Lucena, who carried on extensive trade and industries, were, according to the 11th-century Moslem geographer, Mohamed al-Edrisi, richer than those of any other city. They enjoyed the same freedom as their correligionists in the large Muslim cities. Their rabbi, who was elected by the entire community, was granted special privileges and acted as judge in the civil and criminal cases arising in the community. The Jews lived peaceably until the Almoravides came into power.