Arcos
Location
Getting here
History
Classic photos
Guided tour
Year in Arcos
People
Weather
Arcos blog
Outside Arcos
Property
More...
About
usSite map
Speekee
Links
The
history of Arcos de la Frontera
Summary
| Prehistory
» Christians | Ponce
de León Family | From
1544 | Architecture
From
1544 to the present day
Records tell us that in 1544 Arcos de la Frontera had 1908 inhabitants
and that there were 18 tailors, 2 swordsmiths and 2 fencing teachers!
During
the 17th century Arcos de la Frontera expelled the remaining Moors and the Town Hall
was built. It still stands proudly in the Plaza
del Cabildo. In this century Arcos de la Frontera for the first time became known
for its literary scholars.
 |
Perhaps the most outstanding event of the 1700s in Arcos de la Frontera is the earthquake of 1 November 1755, famous for destroying Lisbon. It happened on a Sunday morning at 10 o'clock and lasted 15 minutes. All three main churches suffered significant damage, as did the castle, but no inhabitants lost their lives. |
|
Cracked
arch
|
The crack running down the Moorish arch pictured above left was caused by the earthquake. The arch was discovered in the 1980s in a private house here.
Arcos de la Frontera was to suffer greatly between 1810 and 1812 when it battled against Napoleon's troops. It was an unpleasant time of robbery, taxes and reprisals. Two people were hanged from the Tower of St. Mary's church. All this left Arcos de la Frontera exhausted.
 |
In the twentieth century Arcos de la Frontera was home to fine painters, musicians and writers. Among the poets was Julio Mariscal (1922-1977), one of the famed 'Generation of the 50s' poets and known as The Poet of Arcos de la Frontera. Collaborator in and founder of several magazines, he published his first book in 1953. Mariscal (pictured left) loved teaching, poetry and flamenco. His poems are homages to all that Andalucia represents. |
|
Julio
Mariscal
|
As the 20th century developed Arcos de la Frontera became more prosperous, thanks largely to local agriculture and growing tourism. In 1962 it was recognised as a place of special historic interest by Royal Decree.
Finally, a special mention for Manuel Pérez Regordán, the official historian for Arcos de la Frontera. He has lived here all his life and has devoted exhaustive hours of research in order to document the history of the town. Seek him out if you come to Arcos de la Frontera. He knows more about this place than anyone else!
Next: Architecture
Top of Page