Consolidación de dominios en las Pías Fundaciones del Cardenal Belluga (Bajo Segura)

Resumen

This article analyses the decline and desintegration of the Pías Fundaciones founded by Cardenal Belluga in the Bajo Segura during the first half of the Eighteenth Century. Due to his huge influence, the Prelate obtained through several grants a surface of about 40.000 "tahúllas" (4.472 hectares) of marshlands, wich were drained and most of them established by census emphyteuticus. A series of valuable studies have analysed the life and works of Belluga, yet and investigation of the dilapidation of the Pías Fundaciones by the desamortization dispositions has hardly taken place. A Royal Order on the 25th of September 1798 reduced the heritage, and the Act of the 1st of May 1855 declared in selling condition the heritage still existing, however the consolidation of domains was carried out protected by the slightly know Act of 11th of March 1859. Through the Contaduría de Hipotecas (Mortages Accounts Departament) it has been possible to document this process. Another subject of consideration is the cuestion raised in the township of Dolores when, by sentence of the High Court, the lands of Majada Vieja were returned to the Casa de Rafal.