The founding of the city of Madrid was carried out in the ninth century, during the Arab domination of the Iberian Peninsula.
However, there are archaeological remains prior to this time in the region of Madrid. Bear in mind that the area was rich in rivers and streams, abundant pastures and forests, and that is why since prehistoric times, the valley of the Manzanares has been visited by the Paleolithic nomads who hunted and gathered in their search for food. During the Neolithic period, developed small villages on the banks of rivers. There Roman villas also agriculture, such as Casa de Campo, and Villaverde Carabanchel which placed near the Roman roads. It is quite evident that the Visigoths also transiting the area. However, there is no evidence yet that a city existed as such before the arrival of Muslims.
Madrid is located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula and was therefore crossroads to major cities of the time, as routes linking Titulcia Segovia, Titulcia-Alcalá, and Alcalá-Segovia. It is also in a high area, along the Manzanares River, and with exceptional views of the Sierra de Somosierra. Its geographical location was excellent and had with many natural resources needed for subsistence.
was the Emir of Córdoba, Muhammad I (850-866), who orders up a hill on the left bank of the Manzanares River, a fortified castle that was part of a defensive network of watchtowers and castles in the border region called Marca Media to protect from attacks by the Christian kingdoms of North Toledo, capital in Visigothic times.
However, there are archaeological remains prior to this time in the region of Madrid. Bear in mind that the area was rich in rivers and streams, abundant pastures and forests, and that is why since prehistoric times, the valley of the Manzanares has been visited by the Paleolithic nomads who hunted and gathered in their search for food. During the Neolithic period, developed small villages on the banks of rivers. There Roman villas also agriculture, such as Casa de Campo, and Villaverde Carabanchel which placed near the Roman roads. It is quite evident that the Visigoths also transiting the area. However, there is no evidence yet that a city existed as such before the arrival of Muslims.
Madrid is located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula and was therefore crossroads to major cities of the time, as routes linking Titulcia Segovia, Titulcia-Alcalá, and Alcalá-Segovia. It is also in a high area, along the Manzanares River, and with exceptional views of the Sierra de Somosierra. Its geographical location was excellent and had with many natural resources needed for subsistence.
was the Emir of Córdoba, Muhammad I (850-866), who orders up a hill on the left bank of the Manzanares River, a fortified castle that was part of a defensive network of watchtowers and castles in the border region called Marca Media to protect from attacks by the Christian kingdoms of North Toledo, capital in Visigothic times.
fantastic drawing allows us to imagine how it could be the construction of the Moorish castle of Madrid, image from the book: "Historia de la Villa y Corte de Madrid" by Jose Amador de los Rios. Madrid 1861
Image taken from the book: "Heritage Community of Madrid. Volume 1. From Prehistory to the Renaissance." Fundación Caja Madrid. October 2005
Several watchtowers remain Muslim today, Torrelodones, The Berrueco, Ventura, among others.
The fortified castle or fortress was inhabited by soldiers, and occupied the place where it is now the Palace Real. Beside him is a core set of urban population supplied the soldiers with food and other services. Born then an Arab city, or medina, which was fortified and became known as the Mayrit. But this will be another
story ... Sources:
History and Development of the City of Madrid: http://www.nova.es/ ~ jlb/mad_es01.htm
Real Medieval: http://elmadridmedieval.jmcastellanos.com/
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