Medina Mayrit: The Origins of MadridAna Ruiz visits the monuments, architecture and archeological remains of early Madrid, tracing its evolution up until the Christian conquest in the late 11th century. This history gives special emphasis to Madrids Moorish origins, while savoring the piquant blend of Celtiberian, Roman and Visigoth elements that give it such a distinctive style. Now the capital of Spain, Madrid was originally founded as a modest fortress intended to protect nearby Toledo. It had just a small military population during the 9th and 10th centuries, as well as the Morería of the early Christian era, yet it evolved into an influential cultural center. The author highlights colorful personalities and shows how, throughout al-Andalus or Moorish Spain, Mayrit was a leader in pottery techniques, agricultural methods and hydraulic engineering. Amply illustrated, the book is a virtual portrait of the city and a virtual walking tour, offering specific information for those who wish to stroll the streets and visit archaeological, architectural and geographical sites that have been preserved. The author closes with etymological theories relating to terms and place-names appearing throughout the book, and provides historical and geographical background. |
Contents
1 | |
3 | |
5 | |
13 | |
3 Mayrit 8th9th Centuries | 25 |
4 Mayrit 10th 11th Centuries | 55 |
5 Magerit Christian Madrid | 69 |
6 Moorish Madrid Today | 89 |
7 Toledo Yesterday and Today | 109 |
8 Curious Facts about Madrid | 135 |
9 Etymology | 169 |
10 Closing | 215 |
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223 | |
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Common terms and phrases
15th century Abd al-Aziz Abd Allah Abd ar-Rahman Abd ar-Rahman II al-Andalus Al-Mayriti Alamillo Alcázar Alfonso Almudena Almuñécar Arabic archaeological arrabal arrabales Bailén Banu Basque bath Battle believed Berber built Caliph Campo del Moro capital Carpetanos Castilian castle Cathedral Cava Celtiberian century BCE ceramics Christian wall church conquered constructed Córdoba Cuesta dated derived displayed drid Dynasty Emir etymology Felipe founded gate governor Granada Guadalajara Hispania historian Iberian Peninsula Islamic Jewish King Kingdom known Latin Lavapiés León located Madrid Manzanares River Mayrit meaning Medina Mayrit Mezquita military Moorish Moors Morería mosque Mozárabes Mudéjar Muhammad Muladíes Museo Museum Muslim Muslim wall named Ocnus origins Plaza Mayor population province Puerta Cerrada Puerta de Moros Puerta del Sol Ramiro II Reconquest region Rodrigo Roman royal palace rule Segovia situated Spain Spanish streets Taifa Tariq ibn Ziyad Toledans Toledo Toletum tower town translates tribe Umayyad Valencia Vega Villa Visigoth Xagra