History

Although the origins of the village are Celt, the present-day settlement and its name come form the Muslim period. It was then called Al-Haniz, which means fertile, productive land. The Celts called it Iporci.

Under the Romans it was called Ordo Iporcensium. Some tombs from that period were discovered in the area of the place called San Ambrosio.

It was conquered by Fernando III in the year 1249.

During the war of Independence its castle was rebuilt and later artillery was installed to take advantage of its strategic position.

Eminent citizens
Juan de Castellanos, 16th century writer.
José Marí­a Fernández Espino, writer.