In the Cuesta de la Vega, compared to the Crypt of the Cathedral of the Almudena, is the oldest monument in Madrid: The remains of the Muslim wall, built by the Arabs in the ninth century. But many other locals and city dwellers who are not aware of this piece of history of the capital of Spain.
Arab wall Photo (2008) The foundation of the Madrid took place during the Arab domination of the Iberian Peninsula. It was the Emir of Córdoba, Muhammad I, who ordered up this place a fortified castle that was part of a defensive network of watchtowers and castles to protect from attacks Toledo Christian kingdoms of the North. Next to the fortified castle or fortress, which occupied the where is now the Royal Palace, establishing an Arab city, or medina, which was walled and was named Mayrit.
The Arab wall had a strong walls, with large blocks of masonry of limestone and flint or lime mortar, nearly three feet in width. Its towers were rectangular, with claws at the base. The wall had three gates, each shortcut: La Puerta de la Vega, the Puerta de la Almudena and the Porte de la Sagra.
Mayrit was conquered in the twelfth century and the city grew larger and later walled enclosures. In the seventeenth century, the remains of the Moorish wall are hidden between houses and gardens, and disappears Memory of Madrid .... Texeira in the plane shows that in 1656 the wall and there, but built between buildings of different owners.
The Arab wall had a strong walls, with large blocks of masonry of limestone and flint or lime mortar, nearly three feet in width. Its towers were rectangular, with claws at the base. The wall had three gates, each shortcut: La Puerta de la Vega, the Puerta de la Almudena and the Porte de la Sagra.
Mayrit was conquered in the twelfth century and the city grew larger and later walled enclosures. In the seventeenth century, the remains of the Moorish wall are hidden between houses and gardens, and disappears Memory of Madrid .... Texeira in the plane shows that in 1656 the wall and there, but built between buildings of different owners.
Photo detail map Texeira
In 1953, the overthrow of the old Palace of Malpica that comprised the farms of Mayor n º 81 y Mayor n º 83, to Bailén n º 12 given early Islamic remains of the wall was covered with bricks and served as a retaining wall of the garden of the building. The Arabist Jaime Oliver Asin, archaeologist Leopoldo Torres Balbas and the architect and historian Fernando Chueca confirm the age of the remains found, which had already been identified by Jerónimo de Quintana and Amador de los Rios centuries earlier.
picture of the wall in December 1953, Oliver Asin 
picture of the Arab wall in December 1953, Oliver Asin In the 70s there another discovery of the Moorish wall and base of the tower south of the Puerta de la Vega, during the demolition of what remained of the Palace of Malpica, in the property adjacent to high No. 83. This time, the excavations were directed by Martin Almagro Basch, Director National Archaeological Museum and Commissioner General of archaeological excavations. Under the metal stairway to the Cuesta de la Vega, with the remains of the wall are buried the remains of this gate.
The Arab wall of Madrid was declared National Historical Monument of Cultural Interest in 1954. His remains are of great archaeological value but his condition is quite damaged and the remains of major importance are integrated into the park Mohamed I, which is currently being remodeled.
current picture of Mohammed I Park (thanks Mario!) Other remains of the Moorish wall have appeared in the foundation of the future Royal Collections Museum at the Armory Square, but are not yet visible to the public.
Part of the stretch of the wall was destroyed in 1958 for the construction of an outdoor private parking for the houses of Calle Bailen No. 12, despite being protected. You can still see their remains, between cars and rubbish bins.
Part of the stretch of the wall was destroyed in 1958 for the construction of an outdoor private parking for the houses of Calle Bailen No. 12, despite being protected. You can still see their remains, between cars and rubbish bins.
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