 The name of the comarca, Valle del Besaya is derived from the Astur-Leonese "Bisalia", which in turn derives from the Celtic, Bis-salia (the second Salia or Saja) from the two rivers that flow through the city.Torrelavega was an important agricultural hub in the Kingdom of Castile since medieval times.Continuous population growth and industrial development enabled Torrelavega to attain city status in 1895 from the Queen Regent Maria Christina of Bourbon, Princess of the Two Sicilies.