Velada is a municipality located in the province of Toledo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. According to the 2006 census (INE), the municipality has a population of 2,436 inhabitants.
Name
Velada comes from "velar" ('to stay awake at night'/'to be vigilant', from Latin 'vigilare').[2] Prior to Velada, the place was known as Las Atalayuelas de Guadierva.[3]
History
Segregated from the land of Ávila, the Crown awarded the place in 1271 to knights from the former city, tasked with the repopulation of the area.[4] Known as Las Atalayuelas de Guadierva, the place was ensuingly renamed as Velada on royal initiative.[3]
Velada was possibly granted the privilege of township towards 1588.[5]
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.