History

Few villagess have been the subject of such earnest discussion and so many different schools of thought regarding the origin of their names. Some believe it to be the ancient Brana mentioned by Pliny; others point to the town of Carissa, founded by the pre-Romanic Turdetans; others still say it comes from the word bornes, meaning limits. Another etymological current believes the name to have originated from Born, in the Sudan region, home of the Al-barnús tribe (from whose name comes the word albornoz or bathrobe, a garment similar to those worn by this people) who inhabited this area in 744. Furthermore, the German word Born means fountain.

This village sprang up around Fontanar Castle in Moslem times. In those days, its fountains were renowned for their healing properties.

The 13th century saw a number of Christian campaigns against the Moslem occupiers, and by the beginning of the 14th century it was under the control of the kingdom of Castile.

In the 17th century it came into the possession of the House of Medinaceli.

Eminent citizens
Per Afan de Ribera, (16th century). Capitain General of Catalonia and Viceroy of Naples.
San Juan de Ribera, (16th century). Canonised in 1960.