Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Record ID
monument;ISL;pt;Mon01;23;ar
Library Location
Gorominha (Allandro), Évora (Yabora), Portugal
Notes
Gorominha, protected to the north by the Mure River and to the west by the Guadiana River, was established in a fertile area rich in ore minerals, and its location is considered suitable for crossing the Guadiana River. This area has been continuously inhabited since prehistory, and inhabitation did not stop during the period of Arabization and Islamization of the region. From that period, we reached the palace, part of which was covered with fortified military constructions. We find mention of Goruminha in Arabic writings starting from the second half of the 3rd century AH / 9th century AD, which is the period in which the site was mentioned when writing about the Mestizo revolution announced, in the city of Mérida, by Abd al-Rahman ibn Marwan al-Jaliki, which expanded to include the entire basin of the Guadiana River. Gorominha occupied a major strategic position during the founding of Badajos and the gradual abandonment of the city of Mérida, and Ibn Hawqal mentioned the site on one of his travel itineraries during the AH 4th century / AD 10th century. Several phases can be distinguished on the perimeter of the Islamic fortification: one of the towers facing north, built of stone materials combined with mortar, contains three stones dating from the Visigothic period that were later reused in the construction of the main facade. Since its construction, this tower belongs to a defensive system. This tower is supported by parts of the wall built of military-style tabiyya (rammed earth) (reinforced with lime), and is based on a group of regular and not far apart towers with a frontal entrance, like those we see in fortifications dating back to the Caliphate period (4th century AH / 10th century AD). The distance between the towers is not regular in other parts of the city. The fence. The wooden lining (board) used to pour rammed earth is reminiscent of the method used in other fortifications in Andalusia. Stone blocks dating back to the Roman era were also used to build the corners of the towers. These observations lead us to believe that the former Roman fortified building was modified to serve the interests of the independent Galician dynasty. This building is located on the right bank of the Guadiana River and is seen from the city of Badajos, which they founded. However, we have little information about their occupation of the region during the 4th - 5th centuries AH / 10th - 11th centuries AD. However, we can estimate its importance through the defensive system with which they surrounded the city of Badajos during the competition between the Ubaid Kingdom and the Aftasid Kingdom (aftasside) or between the Aftasid factions themselves. As Ibn Sahib al-Sala'ah mentioned in his "Akhbar", in 562 AH/1167 AD, "Gerald the Fearless" took advantage of the disputes that had torn Western Andalusia apart to occupy Goruminha and attack Badajos from there. In 565 AH/1170 AD, the Almohads occupied Badajos, which did not lose its great strategic importance, even though part of its wall was destroyed. During the Almohad rule, Gorominha turned into a ribat and was opened by one of the companions of Ibn Arabi, who was devoted to jihad at the end of the AH 6th century / AD 12th century, or at the beginning of the AH 7th century / AD 13th century. It is certain that it was fortified during the Almohad period, but it was opened by Dr. Sancho II in the year 627 AH / 1230 AD. The wall, which dates back to the Islamic period before the 17th century AD, was not demolished.
Sample Text
Fernando Branco Correia “Fortress of Jorominha” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;ISL;pt;Mon01;23;ar
