Ciudad de Vascos

Ciudad de Vascos, once standing in the Spanish municipality of Navalmoralejo, is an archaeological site. It seems to have been founded under Umayyad initiative, perhaps dating to circa 930–950. 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 tribe members, in addition to its strategic role close to the Tagus to prevent Christian incursions. 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.

After the Taifa of Toledo gained control over Vascos during the fitna of al-Andalus, it experienced a substantial increase in its military garrison and general population growth. However, after the Christian conquest of Toledo in 1085, the site was abandoned and depopulated by the late 11th century. The site was declared ‘national historic-artistic monument’ in June 1931. Today, only remnants of this fascinating past can be found.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons