Ciudad de Vascos

Ciudad de Vascos
Interactive map of Ciudad de Vascos
LocationNavalmoralejo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Coordinates39°45′22″N 5°05′13″W / 39.756°N 5.087°W / 39.756; -5.087
TypeNon-movable
CriteriaArchaeological site
Reference no.RI-55-0000051

Ciudad de Vascos is a medieval archaeological site in the Spanish municipality of Navalmoralejo in which the Islamic city (medina) of Vascos once stood.

The site lies on an escarpment of the river Huso [es].[1] Vascos seems to have been founded under Umayyad initiative, perhaps dating to circa 930–950.[2] Due to its location in an area of large Berber settlement, it may have been built by the Cordobese central power to gather and control unruly Nafza [es] tribe members, in addition to its strategic role close to the Tagus to prevent Christian incursions.[3] There are also signs of metallurgical activity.[4] Attached to the Middle March of Al-Andalus, the housing of the small walled city included a kasbah, two mosques, and two cemeteries located outside the walls.[5]

Following the fitna of al-Andalus, Vascos ended up in the western limit of the Taifa of Toledo, whose Dhulnunid rulers were generally at odds with the Taifa of Badajoz.[6] In that period, the city seems to have experienced a substantial increase of its military garrison as well as general population growth.[6] After the Christian conquest of Toledo in 1085, the place depopulated by the late 11th century.[7]

The site was declared 'national historic-artistic monument' (precursor to the status of Bien de Interés Cultural) in June 1931.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Izquierdo Benito 2021, p. 260.
  2. ^ Izquierdo Benito 2005, p. 41.
  3. ^ Izquierdo Benito 2005, pp. 41–42.
  4. ^ Izquierdo Benito 2021, p. 274.
  5. ^ Izquierdo Benito 2005, pp. 37–39.
  6. ^ a b Izquierdo Benito 2021, pp. 274–275.
  7. ^ "50 años excavando Ciudad de Vascos, el enigmático yacimiento islámico y uno de los mejor conservados de España". eldiario.es. 7 September 2025.

Bibliography

  • Izquierdo Benito, Ricardo (2021). "Vascos: un enigmático enclave de al-Andalus" (PDF). Actualidad de la investigación arqueológica en España III (2020-2021): conferencias impartidas en el Museo Arqueológico Nacional [Vascos: an enigmatic enclave of al-Andalus]. pp. 259–276. ISBN 9788481817720.
  • Izquierdo Benito, Ricardo (2005). "Una ciudad de la Marca Media: Vascos (Toledo)" (PDF). Arqueología y Territorio Medieval. 12 (2): 35–56. ISSN 1134-3184.
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