Medina-Sidonia
Encyclopedia
Medina-Sidonia is a city and municipality in the province of Cádiz in the autonomous community of Andalusia
, southern Spain
. It is considered by some to be the oldest city in Europe
, used as a military defense location due to its elevated location. Locals are known as Asidonenses. The city's name comes from Medina
(Arabic
for city) and Sidonia (of Sidon
), meaning "City of Sidon".
Medina-Sidonia was one of Spain's most important ducal seats in the 15th century; producing an admiral, Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia, who led the Spanish Armada
against England in 1588. The title of Duque de Medina Sidonia was bestowed upon the family of Guzmán El Bueno for his valiant role in taking the town. The line continues and was led until March 2008 by the controversial socialist, Luisa Isabel Álvarez de Toledo, 20th Duchess of Medina Sidonia
(born 1936).
By the 3rd century BC the Romans had gained control over much of southern Spain and once coming under Roman hegemony this site was later referred to as Asido Caesarina.
In 712 the town was conquered by the Muslim commander Musa ibn Nusair, and became the capital of the cora (province) of Sidonia in the emirate of Spain. It returned in Christian hands with Alfonso X of Castile
, in 1264, becoming a stronghold along the frontier with the last Muslim country in the Iberian peninsula, the Kingdom of Granada. It was also the seat of several military orders.
In 1440 it became part of the lordship of the Dukes of Medina-Sidonia.
-fronted houses.
Sights include:
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, southern Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It is considered by some to be the oldest city in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, used as a military defense location due to its elevated location. Locals are known as Asidonenses. The city's name comes from Medina
Medina
Medina , or ; also transliterated as Madinah, or madinat al-nabi "the city of the prophet") is a city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, and serves as the capital of the Al Madinah Province. It is the second holiest city in Islam, and the burial place of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and...
(Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
for city) and Sidonia (of Sidon
Sidon
Sidon or Saïda is the third-largest city in Lebanon. It is located in the South Governorate of Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast, about 40 km north of Tyre and 40 km south of the capital Beirut. In Genesis, Sidon is the son of Canaan the grandson of Noah...
), meaning "City of Sidon".
Medina-Sidonia was one of Spain's most important ducal seats in the 15th century; producing an admiral, Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia, who led the Spanish Armada
Spanish Armada
This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
against England in 1588. The title of Duque de Medina Sidonia was bestowed upon the family of Guzmán El Bueno for his valiant role in taking the town. The line continues and was led until March 2008 by the controversial socialist, Luisa Isabel Álvarez de Toledo, 20th Duchess of Medina Sidonia
Luisa Isabel Álvarez de Toledo, 20th Duchess of Medina Sidonia
Luisa Isabel Alvarez de Toledo y Maura, 21st Duchess of Medina Sidonia, Grandee of Spain was the holder of the ducal title Medina-Sidonia in Spain...
(born 1936).
History
This city was most likely ancient Asido, an Iberian settlement which may have been founded by the Phoenicians, hence the later name Sidonia reflecting its foundation by Sidon. Its earliest phase is known through its coinage and its 2nd and 1st centuries BC issues bear the Latin inscription Asido but also Punic inscriptions such as sdn or b'b'l, with Herakles and Dolphins being notable obverse and reverse designs. The Barrington Atlas of the ancient world equates this site with modern Medina Sidonia-lying within the ancient Roman province of Turdetania some 30 km (19 mi) inland from the Southern Spanish coast, this site lay upon a hill c 35 km (22 mi) to the east of Gades (modern Cadiz), and 15 km (9 mi) to the west of the Besilus river.By the 3rd century BC the Romans had gained control over much of southern Spain and once coming under Roman hegemony this site was later referred to as Asido Caesarina.
In 712 the town was conquered by the Muslim commander Musa ibn Nusair, and became the capital of the cora (province) of Sidonia in the emirate of Spain. It returned in Christian hands with Alfonso X of Castile
Alfonso X of Castile
Alfonso X was a Castilian monarch who ruled as the King of Castile, León and Galicia from 1252 until his death...
, in 1264, becoming a stronghold along the frontier with the last Muslim country in the Iberian peninsula, the Kingdom of Granada. It was also the seat of several military orders.
In 1440 it became part of the lordship of the Dukes of Medina-Sidonia.
Main sights
The town has ais characterized by medieval walls and tidy narrow cobbled streets flanked by rows of rejaReja
A reja is a decorative screen of iron.These rejas can be found in cathedrals located in Spain and Portugal. Inside the cathedrals, rejas were often placed in front of the choir, the chapel, or even the altar. Rejas are commonly 25 to 30 ft high. Crafters who made rejas were known as rejeros, or...
-fronted houses.
Sights include:
- The Castle (13th-15th centuries)
- Roman archaeological complex (1st century AD)
- Town Hall (16th century)
- La Alameda (16th century)
- Ducal Stables (16th century)
- Church of Saint Mary the Crowned
- Castle of Torrestrella (13th century)
See also
- Duke of Medina Sidonia