Belmonte was used to stand in for Calahorra in El Cid
| Calahorra Belmonte was used to stand in for Calahorra in El Cid |
Town, 49 km from Logrono, a major market center in the center of astonishingly productive farmland since Roman times, when it was known as Calagurria. An episcopal seat since the 5th Century. The cathedral dates from the 12th Century.
In the border area between Castile, Navarre, and Aragon in the Cid's time, Calahorra was a rich prize that changed hands between the warring kings repeatedly. Latitude: 42.34. Longitude: -2.08.
Now the history relates that King Don Ferrando contended with King Don Ramiro of Aragon for the city of Calahorra, which each claimed as his own; in such guise that the King of Aragon placed it upon the trial by combat, confiding in the prowess of Don Martin Gonzalez, who was at that time held to be the best knight in all Spain.
And they plighted homage on both parts to meet and bring each his knight, and the knight who conquered should win Calahorra for his Lord.
Now the day came which had been appointed for the combat concerning Calahorra, between Rodrigo and Don Martin Gonzalez, and Rodrigo was not arrived; therefore his cousin Alvar Fanez Minaya undertook the battle in his stead, and ordered his horse to be harnessed right well.
But while they thus struggled Don Martin Gonzalez lost much blood, and for very weakness he could not hold himself upon his horse, but fell from his horse upon the ground; and Rodrigo alighted and went to him and slew him: and when he had slain him he asked the judges if there was anything more to be done for the right of Calahorra: and they made answer that there was not.
And he ordered them to take up Don Martin Gonzalez, and they carried the body into his own lands, and he went with it, and Calahorra remained in the power of King Don Ferrando.
Now there was a mortal enmity between my Cid and Count Garcia Ordonez, and in this year did my Cid gather together those of his table, and all his power, and entered into the lands of Logrono, and Navarre, and Calahorra, burning and spoiling the country before him.