Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Plaza del Cabildo

Seville was a Roman "colonia" since 45BC. The important city got looted by the Vandals in 428 and developed into a Bishopric seat under Visigothic rule. After the Moors had defeated the Visigoths in the Battle of Guadalete, the conquered Seville and made it the capital of a province. Normans devastated Seville in 844 but Seville got rebuilt and flourished under the different Moorish dynasties. In 1248 Seville was conquered by the troops of Ferdinand III of Castile. The emigration of hundredthousands of Moors to Northern Africa led to a decrease of economics in the whole area. Seville recovered in the 16th and 17th century, when it became the hub of Spanish maritime trade. During this period, the port of Seville had a monopoly on overseas trade. Vespucci and Magellan planned and started their voyages here. The small semicircular Plaza del Cabildo was built in the 20th century on the site of a former Colegio, which belonged to the Cathedral Cabildo (Council).

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. The "Castillo de Arcos" is located behind the city hall at the "Plaza del Cabildo". The medieval castle has Moorish roots, rebuilt in the 15th century. Other than the "Casa del Corregidor" on the opposite side of the place, that meanwhile serves as a Parador (and from where this photo was taken) the castle is still privately owned.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. The Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asunción, located at the central "Plaza del Cabildo", is older than it seems. The building was originally started by Alphonso XIt on the site of the mosque und was completed in the 14th century. It got later largely remodeled, when it got this Baroque, Plateresque portal. Car drivers know, that the old part of Arcos de la Frontera has same very narrow lanes.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. The Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asunción, located at the central "Plaza del Cabildo", is older than it seems. The building was originally started by Alphonso XIt on the site of the mosque und was completed in the 14th century. It got later largely remodeled, when it got this Baroque, Plateresque portal.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. The Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asunción, located at the central "Plaza del Cabildo", is older than it seems. The building was originally started by Alphonso XIt on the site of the mosque und was completed in the 14th century. It got later largely remodeled. The massive bell tower was added in the 18th century - and carries 11 bells.