Cuenca: track of the impregnable wall
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A city of steep, narrow streets in which history is palpable to the rhythm of the feet. Cuenca is one of those Spanish villages which is binding step. Its cathedral and the well known Hanging Houses have made this spot an icon that we all have in memory. The town deserves a leisurely stroll from the Plaza Mayor, in which inevitably begins the route, towards the castle. Then, right side of the cathedral, get the short half-streets leading to the Iron Bridge and the Hanging Houses. Our advice is to cross the famous and beautiful bridge before sunset and contemplate the sky as colors explode right behind the famous hanging houses air. (If sleeping on the Parador, former convent of San Pablo, these views have insured). The whole city is a museum, spectacular, but what is the history of this city that seems lost in nothing? The old city is a fortress, natural and artificial, pudo never be taken. Why?
The strength of Conca
The arrival of Muslims in the Peninsula Watershed makes an important enclave. The Arabs conceive this as a strategic center, well protected by the gorges that surround, and good communication with the current area of Levante. Muslims decide to raise an important fortress which is believed to be called Conca (this is one of the etymological origins to points on Basin). Was a safe place, which only had to protect part of the horizon, as the towering rocks on which it stands impregnable defensive wall made of. Addition, from the top of that watchtower was controlled a significant portion of land. To get the best views of the gorges have to take the San Martin Street and cross the bridge of San Pablo, on the river Huécar.
Our advice is to cross the famous and beautiful bridge before sunset and contemplate the sky as colors explode right behind the famous hanging houses air
After the castle, Arabs were building a city that once a mosque, a fortress and a place of merchants. Today, Castle, finally rebuilt after the time of Philip II, not just the Muslim wall fragments., but retains some of its former glory.
But VaP. is destined to travel and understand the history and reading this article you will see with new eyes the beautiful Spanish city when they understand that this city was really a place inaccessible to all. This time the trip is really for the story to understand this. Sorry if there are more travel story, but the occasion calls for it.
First Attack
It's year 1076 when the Aragonese Sancho Ramirez gets first site to the town. But, Muslims were able to show that choosing a good defensive position and, despite the numerical inferiority, repel this first attempt at conquest that crashed into insurmountable walls. Fifteen years after, A new battle front opens in Spain. The Almohads have crossed the strait and the Moorish king of Seville, Al Mutamid, Leon asks for help to King Alfonso VI. In exchange for their services in the field, Christians get a booty which included the city of Cuenca. (He also sent his daughter Zaida, which later became the king's mistress and mother of the future monarch. The city has a street with the name of this controversial character). And 1093 and without shedding a drop of blood, the coveted passes to Christian stronghold.
But the dominance of the Spanish monarch on these lands is short. The Berbers who came from Africa are an imposing army, little by little, regains some lost ground recapture of the fledgling. Various are the fronts and almost everyone is a winner Muslims. And 1098, Christian troops led by Alvar Fañez are defeated by the Almohad leader Ben Aisa, leading to the withdrawal of Christians of different strengths, to retreat, Basin including.
Alfonso VIII takes Basin
Another Alfonso, this time VIII, returns to direct his troops to the fortress of stone. We are 1177 and almost one hundred years have passed the first time that Christians have taken the city. Again, however, it seems you can repeat the story of the first attempt, who led Sancho Ramírez. A large contingent Christian comes to the walls of Basin. Castilian Knights, Aragonese and Leonese, with members of the most important military orders that are in the Peninsula (Santiago, Calatrava and Monteagudio) set up their tents before the walls. The siege by number seem feasible, but the enclave is impregnable. But this time there is more time and a constant rain of arrows and bullets undermines the morale of the Muslims within the walls that hold. The "mayor" Arab city, Abu Beka, asks for help to try to repel the attack, but the leader Yacub Yusuf has just launched a campaign in North Africa and his troops can not come to his rescue. Still, Arabs launched a surprise attack on the desperate to kill the Spanish monarch fruitless. Life itself loses the Nuño Pérez de Lara.
Is 21 September, Feast of San Mateo, when the Moors, without food and low sensitive, surrender and Alfonso VIII takes the immaculate city. Hunger pays to the city, because the Castilian monarch could not cross the walls by the weight of its steel.
The legend of the shepherd
Cuenca is a beautiful legend, widespread, who says he was a pastor, Matín Alhaxa, which enabled the making. They say that the pastor, secretly professed Christianity, the Virgin appeared to him and told him that should help Christians. They say that Martin came along with other partners through a secret door to feed their herds along the ramparts. A sunset, a patrol of knights of Alfonso VIII noted some strange movements along the walls and went to see what happens. He found the three shepherds, killing two of them, and forgiving life I prayed and implored Martin clemency. The pastor told them to Christians coming in and out of the fortress through a secret door, of Aljaraz, Current San Juan Gate (may contemplate). Some men they entered with the pastor in the city and at night they opened the gates, which allowed the entrance of the army commanded by Alfonso. Even in the celebrations of the city is celebrating this as a.
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The highway of Castilla La Mancha, from A-3 to Cuenca, arrival has greatly improved the road to town.
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The Parador de Cuenca, in the former convent of St. Paul the sixteenth century, has the best views of the Hanging Houses, Iron Bridge and Old Town. Good food, pool and charming rooms. www.paradores.es
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Hanging Houses Inn: homes located in the mythical Cuenca. Local food quality as morteruelo, ajoarriero… The delicious roasted. www.mesoncasascolgadas.com
Figón of Huécar: Local boutique luxury food. Near the cathedral, The menu combines traditional dishes with some modern proposals. Frankly worth. www.figondelhuecar.es
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-You can read the book "History of the very noble and loyal city of Cuenca", Extramural editorial. Is online and the price is about 40 EUR.
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Learn more about to do in Cuenca
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Javier Reverte trips online
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