Calatayud

Town, 86 km from Zaragoza. The Moor Ayub built a castle here, dominating a pass on the major road between Zaragoza and Merida. A town grew up around the castle, the reddish color of the houses matching the hillside in which they were built.

The old mosque and its octogonal minaret are still visible (now called San Andres), and the churches of the town, built in the 16th century, are still in the Mudejar pseudo-Moorish style. Ayud's castle still dominates the town. East of Calatayud archaeologists have unearthed the Roman town of Biblis, birthplace of the poet Martial. Latitude: 41.36. Longitude: -1.64.

• Book IV Chapter IV:

  When my Cid had thus encamped, he went to look at the Alcazar, and see if he could by any means enter it.

• Book IV Chapter IV:

  And news went through all the land that the Cid was come among then, and they of Calatayud were in fear.

• Book IV Chapter V:

  Much did this trouble the Moors of Teca, and it did not please those of Teruel, nor of Calatayud.

• Book IV Chapter V:

  And they sent to the King of Valencia to tell him that one who was called Ruydiez the Cid, whom King Don Alfonso had banished, was come into their country, and had taken Alcocer; and if a stop were not put to him, the King might look upon Teca and Teruel and Calatayud as lost, for nothing could stand against him, and he had plundered the whole country, along the Salon on the one side, and the Siloca on the other.

• Book IV Chapter VI:

  And they sent their messengers through the land to all the Councils thereof, ordering all men at arms, as well horsemen as footmen, to join them, and the third night they halted at Calatayud, and great numbers joined them; and they came up against Alcocer, and pitched their tents round about the Castle.

• Book IV Chapter IX:

  King Fariz got into Teruel, and King Galve fled after him, but they would not receive him within the gates, and he went on to Calatayud.

• Book IV Chapter IX:

  And the Christians pursued them even to Calatayud.

• Book IV Chapter XII:

  And King Fariz and the Moors of Techa, and of Teruel, and of Calatayud, were right glad of this, and the covenant was put in writing, and they sent him the three thousand marks.

• Book IV Chapter XII:

  And they of Za and of Calatayud were well pleased, because he went from them.