Segorbe

Segorbe is a municipality in the mountainous coastal province of Castelló, autonomous community of Valencia, Spain. The former Palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli now houses the city's mayor. Segorbe's bull-running week (semana de Toros) in September attracts 200,000 visitors each year. The name in Valencian is Sogorb, but the local language is Spanish, not Valencian.GeographyThe municipal district area is crossed by the Palancia River from north west to south east. It is located on the natural way from Aragón to Valencian Community, between the Serra d'Espadà on the north and Serra Calderona on the south.The urban area is located at 358 m height, placed over two hills emerging from the bank of the river.HistoryThe area of Segorbe was inhabited as early as the mid-Palaeolithic Age, as testified by archaeological remains. Segorbe was once identified as the ancient Segobriga, described by Pliny the Elder as the capital of Celtiberia. However, archaeological excavations have uncovered an extensive Roman city in La Mancha which has been identified as Segobriga. During the Visigothic rule in Iberia, it became a diocese seat.In the 8th century Segorbe was occupied by Moors from North Africa and its cathedral became a mosque. Segorbe was the residence of Zayd Abu Zayd, the last Almohad governor of Valencia. After his conversion to Christianism, Segorbe became a base for the conquest of Valencia in 1238. In 1435 it became part of the royal estates of the Kingdom of Aragon.