Cid's Spain © Mark Wade

Ancient coastal town, 86 km from Tarragona, ruled by the Moors in the Cid's day. The Zuda castle here was built after 714 to protect the only bridge across the Ebro along the coast. The Muslims cultivated the area and made it a major agricultural center.

In the Cid's day Tortosa was ruled by Moorish Slavs: Muqatil (1041-1053); Yala (1053-1057); and Labib II Nabil (1057-1060). It was annexed by Zaragoza (1060-1082). Tortosa was reconquered by Ramon Berenguer IV in 1148. Latitude: 40.83. Longitude: .52.

• Book V Chapter IX:

  When Abenmazot saw that the King was bent upon destroying him, and that every day he prest him more and more, he sent to Abenalfange who was King of Denia and Tortosa, saying, that if he would come and help him, he would make him Lord of Xativa and of all his other Castles, and would be at his mercy; and this he did to escape from the hands of Yahia.

• Book V Chapter X:

  And after Abenalfange had staid there awhile he drew off and went his way to Tortosa.

• Book V Chapter XII:

  And when they who had the keeping of Yahia's Castles saw this they rose against him, so that few remained unto him, and they of his vassals in whom he put the most trust proved false, so that the heart of the King of Denia and Tortosa grew, and he thought to win Valencia.

• Book V Chapter XIII:

  King Yahia was well pleased with this, though he well understood the reason, and firm writings were made to this effect, and then Abenalfange went to Tortosa.

• Book V Chapter XVII:

  Then he went towards Tortosa, destroying every thing as he went; and he pitched his camp near unto the city of Tortosa, in a place which in Arabic is called Maurelet, and he cut down every thing before him, orchards and vines and corn.

• Book V Chapter XXI:

  When Abenalfange the King of Denia and Tortosa heard this, he was so sorely grieved that he fell sick and died.

• Book V Chapter XXI:

  One of these held Tortosa for the child, and the other held Xativa, and one who was their cousin held Denia.

• Book V Chapter XXI:

  And the Cid demanded of them fifty thousand maravedis of silver, every year: and the covenant was made between them, and the whole country from Tortosa to Orihuela was under his protection and at his command.

• Book VI Chapter XXIII:

  Now the Moors of Valencia being in this great misery because of the siege which the Cid laid unto the town, Abeniaf bethought him that he would send a messenger to the King of Zaragoza, and beseech him to come to his succour, even as he had succoured the grandson of Alimaymon, when the Lord of Denia and Tortosa came against him.

• Book X Chapter XVI:

  And all the land from Tortoso to Origuela was under his command.