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The
history of Arcos de la Frontera
Summary
| Prehistory
» Christians | Ponce
de León Family | From
1544 | Architecture
Prehistory
Archaeological evidence unearthed here in the form of primitive tools
and utensils proves that the site was inhabited in prehistoric times.
Romans
On the same
site the Romans later founded the town of Arcobriga, a name which
derives from the Latin word 'Arx-Arcis', meaning high fortress. Detailed
information about the Roman age is hard to come by but evidence of Roman
settlements abounds in this Andalucian province - see our page about the
Route of the Roman Ruins.
Visigoths
 |
After
the Romans left, the site was occupied by a Germanic tribe called
the Visigoths. It is unfortunate that the Visigoths left little
evidence of their culture behind. In Arcos de la Frontera, the only significant finding
is that of a winemaker whose corpse was unearthed in 1870. Don Rodrigo (pictured left) was the last king of the Visigoths and he lost both his empire and life here during the Battle of Guadalete in 711 when the town was taken by Tariq Ibn Zayid's invading Moors. Hold your mouse over Don Rodrigo to see an image of Tariq Ibn Zayid - as portrayed in Madrid's wax museum. |
| Don
Rodrigo and Tariq Ibn Zayid |
From Moors to Christians
Following the Roman age, the Moorish period is considered the most important in the history of Arcos de la Frontera (the Moors called it Medina Ar-Kosch) during which the town was incorporated into a kingdom of Spain called the Caliphate of Córdoba. This was a period when Córdoba was at the height of its powers, recognised as one of Europe's leading intellectual centres.
During the 13th century the site occupied a decisive and dangerous position on the border between the Moors and the Christians, hence the suffix 'de la Frontera' ('of the Frontier') which the town was to adopt around 1300. Such was the danger that many inhabitants fled in fear and the Christian Kings often had to make financial contributions to stop the population from dwindling completely.
 |
In
1250 Ferdinand III (pictured left), who was then the King of León
and Castille, took control of the town and changed its name from Medina
Ar-Kosch to Arcos de la Frontera, a name it has kept since then. Ferdinand III allowed the Moors to stay but eventually, after a rebellion in 1264 the Muslim population was exiled during the reign of his successor Alfonso X, 'The Wise'. He split up the Moors' land and houses and donated them to 50 noble families, the surnames of some of which still survive today. Hold your mouse over Ferdinand III to see an image of Alfonso X. |
| Fernando
III and Alfonso X |
As you'll see later on when you read about the architecture in the Old Quarter of Arcos de la Frontera, Mudejar (Moorish) influence must have remained strong among the artisans who stayed behind. The Moors were in Arcos de la Frontera for 500 years and their building and design skills are evident at almost every turn here.
Next: Ponce de León family
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