For some, a palace; for others, a strength; and for many others, a colossal metropolis whose memory has faded with time. Al-Madina Al-Zahira—the so-called “Resplendent city“- was Almanzor’s magnum opus in the 10th century, an emblem … of its authority, the memory of which survives only in scattered fragments and chronicles which describe its opulence: translucent columns, basins with lion-shaped jets, gardens which seemed straight out of a dream… We do not even know with certainty the exact place where the hajib of Hišam II built its walls, a mystery which has persisted for centuries.
There are dozens of testimonies that speak of the greatness of the city. And each one, more extravagant than the last. The 10th-century poet Sá’id of Baghdad, for example, wrote that an ambassador “from the most powerful of the Christian kings of that era” appeared before Almanzor eager to “inquire about the situation of the Muslim forces.” The chamberlain called him Al-Madina Al-Zahira. What this legacy saw shook him. “Shortly before dawn, a thousand soldiers dressed in gold and silver with belts also made of gold and silver appeared,” explains the chronicler. All this wealth gathered in a single capital led him to ask for a truce; Nothing could be done against this rich Muslim general.
Mysterious place
The location of The Shining City is one of the great enigmas in the history of Al-Andalus. Today, more than a thousand years after its construction, its exact location is still unknown, although no one doubts its existence. The most widespread version states that it was built on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, east of the Caliph Córdoba. This is the theory supported, for example, by the historian Felipe Maíllo Salgado in his biography of Almanzor prepared for the Royal Academy of History: “The city was located on the banks of the river, upstream from the capital Córdoba to the east and on the same bank of the river.” Close enough to monitor the city, but at the same time, far from its orbit of influence.
But, at least for the moment, archaeologists have not yet found their remains. And this led authorities like Manuel Ramos to claim that the town of Almanzor would have been located at the opposite end, over there in Turruñuelos, next to the Trassierra highway. In an article written for the ABC of Córdoba, this notary stated that in the 1950s, during the redevelopment of the area, they discovered a “rectangular structure with enormous walls and surprising dimensions” – around twenty hectares – which could correspond to those of the Resplendent City. A bold and revolutionary idea.
“We were then told that this ‘city’ was the western suburbs of Cordoba mentioned in the sources. However, archeology has limited these remains and made these remains coincide with the period of apogee of Cordoba, with the short life of Medina Alzahira”, explained the author. In his favor, the expert used the “parasanga”, the distance which, according to the chronicles, existed between the mosque of Medina Azahara and that of Al-Madina Al-Zahira. In total, 4,000 meters. “This is the distance which exists precisely between Turruñuelos and the Azahara. mosque in a straight line. “Coincidence…?” » adds the notary in his article. The signs, he insisted, are numerous. Although the work of archaeologists and historians is necessary to corroborate any of the twenty existing theories.
Shortly after this article was published, many other experts confirmed, also in the pages of ABC, that this hypothesis was little more than bizarre. Juan Murillo, head of the Archeology Office of the Directorate of Urban Planning of Córdoba, insisted that “there is no basis to discuss this option” and that the debate has been resolved for years: sources confirm that it was located to the east of Córdoba, and “not between Córdoba and Medina Azahara”. He was joined by the Arabists José Ramírez del Río and Juan Pedro Monferrer, as well as many other personalities and specialists from the city. Although, at the same time, they also admitted that there was no material indication of the Shining City; at least, for now.
And an enigmatic construction
The construction of this architectural pearl, which has now disappeared from the maps, conceals a certain historical significance. According to Arab chronicles, Almanzor, then Hayib of the weak and very young Hisham II, decided to relieve him, already tired of the persecutions he suffered from enemies who dreamed of his position. Maíllo confirms this theory and reveals that the company had a fundamental objective: to escape the control of the caliph’s mother. More than logical, since the tentacles of Subh Umm Walad were more robust before the court of Cordoba.
But there are pairwise theories. The great Italian biographer of this soldier, Laura Bariani, explains in her magnum essay “Almanzor” that Hajib “began to fear for his own life, especially every time he went to the caliph’s residence.” Too many enemies in old Cordoba. The conclusion is that, on the one hand, his new residence offered him a certain security. On the other hand, he demonstrated his independence and his power against the power of Hisam II. The most striking thing is that nothing was done at random. The very name of the new city, Al-Madīna al-Zāhira, evoked that of the caliphal residence of Madīnat al-Zahrā.
Painting of Almanzor on horseback with a woman
Regardless, what is clear is that its construction began in 978 and the main core was built in just two years; for the rest, we had to wait six more. First, walls and towers were built, essential to the defense of the enclave against possible Christian harassment. “Once the ground of the inner enclosure was leveled, it was the turn of the beautiful palaces with attractive names, such as Almunia de la Alegría or Almunia de la Perla,” reveals the Italian author in his work. The latter had a tower from which Almanzor had a complete view of the entire territory.
The Spanish historian is of the same opinion. In his file, he confirms that “a sumptuous palace was built inside the city from where Almanzor ruled Al-Andalus as absolute sovereign.” At the same time, he congratulated himself on having ordered the construction of houses for his children and for the most prestigious dignitaries in his entourage, as well as “housing and premises for the offices of the chancellery and for the staff”. The same thing happened with all the necessary facilities in case of war. From barracks and stables for the closest guard, to warehouses in which to store weapons and grain for use in the event of a siege.
Classical texts speak of an enclave dominated by columns “transparent like water” and “thin as the necks of young girls”, as well as by “pools decorated with fountains in the shape of lions”. A real beauty. However, Al-Madina Al-Zahira also performed a defensive function. Its small size compared to other large cities, as well as its geographical location – the most widespread theory is that it is close to the Guadalquivir – allowed it to easily defend itself against any enemy, Christian or Muslim. In this sense, it seems that Almanzor demanded that the enclave have only one gate; In this way he reduced the weakest points of the wall.
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