History of Torreperogil
The name Torreperogil originates from the Lord of the Tower around which the town was built, Pero Xil de Zatico. This gentleman was an example of the powerful Castilian Knights who settled in the towns of Loma de Úbeda. Don Pero Xil distinguished himself in the conquest of Úbeda under the command of Fernando III in 1231.
The town remained under the jurisdiction of the Gils until 1369, when its fourth Lord, an ally and personal friend of Pedro I of Castile, was beheaded along with him in Montiel on March 23. After his death, Enrique II granted Torreperogil to Úbeda in dominion, as a reward for the support that his Knights gave him.
During the Middle Ages, Torreperogil was the scene of important battles between factions. According to legend, the tower was destroyed by Don Juan Fernández Do Miño and his vassal, Temístocles Hernández, and the site was filled with salt.
Torreperogil was granted its independence from Úbeda in 1635 by Felipe IV, although it was not firmly recognized until 1642, since the landowners of Úbeda who had property in Torreperogil were reluctant to accept this declaration of villazgo.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the urban centre and its population were consolidated. In the nineteenth century, Torreperogil expanded to include the new Paseo del Prado. During this century the town had distinguished itself for its fight against the French in 1808, its cooperation in the Carlist Wars with the maintenance of the national militia, and for having been the first town to proclaim King Alfonso XII, for which this Monarch granted the title of ‘Very Illustrious Villa’ to Torreperogil.
During the First Carlist War, on September 24, 1836, the Gómez expedition appeared here, which arrived in the middle of a Council meeting who ignored how close the troop were to the town. The Council agreed to the request for provisions made by the Carlist Chief and as soon as the invaders left, they continued with their meeting.
From October 15, 2012 to the present day, earthquakes continue to be felt within the so-called Torreperogil-Sabiote Seismic Swarm, which is why the town has jumped into the media following numerous tremors that have shaken the area.