Ruta del León
Rodrigo Ponce de León has been compared to legendary figures such as El Cid Campeador. «Like El Cid, Rodrigo combined bravery and strategy, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Spain.» Ancient documents highlight his leadership and role in the Reconquista: «As chronicler Alonso de Palencia stated, ‘Rodrigo, with his sword and wit, carved his name into the annals of our land.'»
During the medieval period, the Ponce de León family controlled the Andalusian capital and fought in the streets of Seville against the Guzmán family, even setting churches like San Marcos on fire in street battles reminiscent of Game of Thrones.
They left a significant mark on Seville through iconic buildings and their influence on local politics. Notable landmarks include the Palacio de los Ponce de León, now the headquarters of Emasesa, and the Convent of San Agustín, their first burial site. The Puerta de Marchena, erected in 1492, is another key site. Santa Catalina, along with Los Terceros, was part of their palace complex, and their presence in the Alcázar of Seville underscores their power, as does the portrait of Rodrigo preserved in the Seville City Hall. The Lion’s Route includes these sites and more, connecting their legacy in Seville with other Andalusian locations such as Marchena and Jerez de la Frontera.
Palacio Ponce de Leon Sevilla, hoy sede de Emasesa.
During his lifetime, Rodrigo Ponce de León had a complex relationship with the Catholic Monarchs. While he was a valuable ally in the Reconquista, the Monarchs continuously sought ways to diminish the power of the influential Ponce de León family. One example of this strategy was the foundation of Villafranca de la Marisma in 1501. This city was created by the Seville Council with the clear intent to encircle and control the Palaces of Atalayuela, a key site in the conquest of the Americas. «To ensure the Ponce de León family neither controlled nor profited from the Indies trade, the Seville Council decided to establish Villafranca,» documented municipal archivist Julio Mayo.
Additionally, the Catholic Monarchs actively encouraged the rivalry between brothers Manuel and Rodrigo Ponce de León. «The Monarchs secretly ordered the fostering of hatred between the brothers and encouraged rebellion against the Ponce de León family to take control of the city of Cádiz and strengthen the monarchy.» In a secret document, the Monarchs instructed bachelor Pedro Díaz de la Torre to incite conflicts between the brothers, suggesting to Manuel that he seek royal justice and rebel against Rodrigo.
The Ponce de León family’s relationship with the Jewish community is another fascinating aspect of their history. During the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, Rodrigo welcomed many Sephardic Jews onto his lands. «More than eight thousand souls came to Mairena, Marchena, and Los Palacios, and he ordered them to be received and greatly honored,» wrote Andrés Bernáldez in his memoirs. However, the Inquisition warned Rodrigo against sheltering fugitive Jewish converts under penalty of excommunication and the loss of his lordships.
Miembros de la familia Susón llegaron a Marchena desde Sevilla.
El origen del castillo, la parroquia y la casa palacio de Mairena del Alcor
Rodrigo, born in his castle in Mairena, secured the city of Cádiz for his lordship in 1466, earning him the title of Marquis of Cádiz. This achievement not only strengthened his position but also demonstrated his ability to both compete and collaborate with the interests of the Catholic Monarchs, who in 1492 took Cádiz from him in exchange for financial compensation.
In 1482, he led the capture of Alhama, a crucial fortress in the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. This victory dealt a significant blow to the Muslims, showcasing his strategic capabilities. Despite suffering a defeat at the Battle of La Axarquía in 1483, his bravery and leadership were acknowledged even in adversity, further solidifying his reputation as a tenacious warrior.
Recapturing Zahara de la Sierra in 1483, which had recently fallen into Muslim hands, was a crucial victory in maintaining Christian control over the region. The fortress of Setenil, renowned for its resilience, finally fell in 1484 after seven months of siege, thanks to Rodrigo’s perseverance.
Setenil de las Bodegas, famous for its houses built into the rock, annually commemorates this historic event with the Recreación Histórica de la Toma de Setenil. Held from October 20th to 22nd, the celebration transforms the town into a medieval stage where Moors and Christians reenact the epic battle, bringing history to life.
Every year, Zahara de la Sierra, a picturesque town in the Sierra de Cádiz, celebrates the Recreación Histórica de la Toma de la Villa de Zahara. This event commemorates a pivotal moment in 1483 when Rodrigo Ponce de León, Marquis of Cádiz, led the reconquest of the town from the Nasrids, marking the beginning of the Granada War.
On October 28, 1483, Rodrigo Ponce de León departed from Marchena with a contingent of men to reclaim Zahara de la Sierra, which had recently fallen into Muslim hands. This action was crucial to the military strategy of the Catholic Monarchs in their campaign to reconquer the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.
La toma de la Villa de Zahara volverá a celebrarse del 20 al 22 de Octubre
He also conducted multiple campaigns in the Sierra de Cádiz, securing towns such as Ubrique, El Bosque, Villaluenga, Grazalema, Ronda, and Casares, thereby weakening Muslim resistance. The capture of Ronda in 1485, with its formidable natural defenses, allowed the Christians to control a key region and paved the way for future campaigns.
In 1487, Rodrigo Ponce de León played a crucial role in the conquest of Málaga, one of the most arduous campaigns of the Reconquista. The fall of Málaga marked a critical turning point in the war against Granada. Finally, in 1492, Rodrigo participated in the final campaign that culminated in the surrender of Granada, bringing the Reconquista to an end and unifying Spain under the Catholic Monarchs.
In 1485, Rodrigo was granted the lordship of Casares, which included Casares, Jubrique, Manilva, and Genalguacil, later integrated into the County of Casares as part of the State of Arcos. Casares provided valuable resources such as salt from its coastal salinas and sugar from its cane mills, established by the duke. Additionally, the region played a strategic role in controlling the Moriscos along the coast and in the Ronda mountains. Many of these communities were baptized in San Juan de Marchena and contributed to the construction and maintenance of churches and defensive walls.
Baños romanos de Casares, el pueblo natal de Blas Infante, que fue del duque de Arcos
In Grazalema, the Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos is an annual event that reenacts the coexistence and conflicts between the two cultures that shaped Andalusia’s history. The festival is rooted in historical events related to the Christian conquest led by Rodrigo Ponce de León.
Castles and Lions Across Medieval Andalusia.
The legacy of Rodrigo Ponce de León extends beyond his military achievements; it is also preserved in the architecture and cultural heritage he left behind. Many of the castles, palaces, and convents built under his influence can still be visited today.
The Castillo de Luna in Rota, a strategic fortress in the defense of the Cádiz coast, was renovated by the Ponce de León family, showcasing their military power. It is also the birthplace of Luis Cristóbal Ponce de León, ambassador to France and captain of the fleet in the Netherlands.
Castillo de Rota residencia habitual de los Ponce de león.
The Castle of Arcos de la Frontera, perched in an elevated position, played a crucial role in defense during the Reconquista. It was famously defended by the women of the town, led by the Duchess Beatriz Pacheco.
La Virgen de la Rosa que dio nombre a dos arcos de la muralla de Cádiz y Marchena
Castillo de la Villa de Cádiz construido por Rodrigo Ponce de león.
Although much of the Castillo de la Villa in Cádiz has disappeared, the walls and fortifications that Rodrigo Ponce de León strengthened stand as a testament to his influence. From Cádiz to other municipalities within the State of Arcos, Venetian silks, tuna from the almadrabas, and slaves captured in the Strait by Rodrigo’s corsairs, such as Pedro de Vera and Fernández Cabrón—who later participated in the conquest of the Canary Islands—were distributed. From the nearby Isla de León, salt was sent to the surrounding towns, and ice from the Sierra of Cádiz was distributed during the summer.
Santuario de Regla Chipiona, homenaje a la patrona de león, ampliado por los Ponce en el siglo XIV.
Los azulejos gemelos de Chipiona y Marchena, unidos por los Ponce de León
The Castillo de la Mota in Marchena, the administrative center of the State of Arcos, though in ruins today, was one of the main residences and defensive hubs of the Ponce de León family. They left behind a ducal urban layout, including the Ducal Plaza, which served as a venue for military training, displays, and bull games. These events, held from 1520, often featured Pedro Ponce de León, the Duke’s brother.
The complex includes a system of walls, the ruins of the palace, two convents—one of which has disappeared—and the Palatine Chapel of Santa María.
for his family. The Ponce de León Tower in the Alcázar of Jerez stands as a monument to his influence, and guided tours offer visitors the chance to delve into its rich history. The Ponce de León Palace, built in the 16th century on San Blas Street, symbolizes the union and enduring legacy of this prominent family. The recent donation of the Pilar Ponce de León Collection to the Jerez Municipal Archive has uncovered forgotten chapters of their history, highlighting the family’s significant role in the city’s past.
The Convent of Santo Domingo in Jerez de la Frontera, founded in 1264 by Alfonso X the Wise, has a significant connection with the Ponce de León family. Rodrigo Ponce de León, Marquis of Cádiz, was a prominent benefactor of the convent. In 1483, he provided funds to Pedro de Vera in exchange for his military services, which allowed Vera to be buried in the convent. This relationship highlights the close ties between the Ponce de León family and the religious institutions of the time, further cementing their influence in the region.
https://marchenasecreta.com/la-ruta-de-los-ponce-de-leon-en-jerez-de-la-frontera/
One of the most fascinating episodes related to the legacy of Rodrigo Ponce de León is the story of the Puerta de Marchena, now located in the Alcázar of Seville. Built in 1492 to honor Rodrigo, this monumental gate was almost dismantled and shipped to the United States, stone by stone, by the magnate William Randolph Hearst. However, thanks to the intervention of King Alfonso XIII, the gate remained in Spain. Originally transferred from Marchena to Seville in 1912, the Puerta de Marchena was created by the Toledo artist Juan Guas as a tribute to Rodrigo Ponce de León, hero of the Granada War.
