The Muralla Arabe of Madrid !!!

Posted in Europe, Madrid, Spain

And I will be staying in Madrid for a while after another great visit to my dear City of many memorable family moments, This is actually a sort of first visit as before I just passed by it, it is worth the detour once in the Almudena Cathedral, Let me tell you about the Muralla Arabe or Arab Wall of Madrid,!!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

Madrid arab wall jul23

The Arab Wall of Madrid, are the ruins of a 9C Umayyad wall that originated the city of Madrid and is the oldest known building in the city. The wall is part of a fortress built on a promontory that borders the Manzanares river. Around the fortress, the urban core of Madrid was rapidly built. The remains of major archaeological and artistic importance were found in the Cuesta de la Vega, together with the crypt of the Almudena Cathedral. They are integrated into the park of Mohamed I, so called in reference to Mohammed I of Cordoba, considered the founder of the city. At 83 Calle Mayor, at the level of the viaduc that opens Calle de Segovia, are the ruins of the Narigües tower, which was probably an albarrana tower, spaced from the actual wall with which it was connected by a wall. It served as a watchtower.

Madrid arab wall park emir mohamed V jul23

During the 20C part of the ruins were destroyed. The renovation of the Plaza de Oriente, completed in 1996, led to the discovery and subsequent destruction of numerous remains. On the contrary, the case of the “Tower of Bones” watchtower whose base is visible in the underground car park of this square. Between 1999 and 2000, another 70 meters long section was unearthed, under Plaza de la Armería, formed by the main facades of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral. It was excavated from the construction work of the Royal Collections Museum and could correspond to the Sacred Gate, one of the accesses to the fortification.

The construction of this wall is directly linked to the foundation of Madrid. It was ordained by the Cordovan emir Muhammad I, between 860 and 880. The site was chosen in a cultivable alluvial plain with easily accessible water reserves. It defended the almudaina or Muslim citadel of Mayrit (first name of the city), built on the contemporary site of the Royal Palace. With the Christian conquest of Mayrit in the 11C, the original enclosure was enlarged to protect a larger area. These works are known as the Christian wall of Madrid. The Madrid nucleus never lost its defensive function. The image of Saint Mary the Royal of Almudena (formerly Saint Mary the Major) was found in 1085 when the city was conquered by Alfonso VI, three centuries after Christians hid Muslim conquerors. It was hidden in a brick in the wall, near the Puerta de la Vega gate. It was placed in the old Mosque, for its worship and devotion by the Court and the village of Madrid.

Madrid Catedral de la Almudena back and Arab wall jul23

The Madrid tourist office on the Arab Wall : https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/arab-wall

There you go folks, another fine find in my dear Madrid, This is worth the detour while by the Almudena Cathedral. The Arab Wall of Madrid is a wonderful history and architecture of my Madrid, Again, hope you have enjoy the post on the Muralla Arabe of Madrid !!! as I

And remember, happy travels, good health ,and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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