Velada is a municipality located in the province of Toledo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. According to the 2006

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(

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), the municipality has a population of 2,436 inhabitants.

Name

''Velada'' comes from "'" ('to stay awake at night'/'to be vigilant', from Latin ''). Prior to ''Velada'', the place was known as ''Las Atalayuelas de Guadierva''.

History

Segregated from the land of Ávila, the

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awarded the place in 1271 to knights from the former city, tasked with the repopulation of the area. Known as ''Las Atalayuelas de Guadierva'', the place was ensuingly renamed as ''Velada'' on royal initiative. Velada was possibly granted the privilege of township towards 1588.

Watermelon of Velada

The velada watermelon is one of the main engines of the economy of this municipality. Being a dry and ecological crop, these watermelons have great flavor and the largest can reach up to 30 kg in weight. They grow in a large area called "El Baldío" and their collection usually goes from mid-July to mid-October, and even depending on the year, until November. The planting takes place between April and May. Velada's watermelon is exported in Spain and abroad.

References

;Citations ;Bibliography * * {{authority control Municipalities in the Province of Toledo