Historia

The origins of Montoro

The peculiar geographical situation where Montoro is located has favored the continuous human settlement within the limits of what is now the historic town since before the second half of the twelfth century BC. This fact has been shown by the archaeological excavations carried out at the Llanete de los Moros, one of the hills that, together with the Cerro del Palomarejo, rise over the Guadalquivir.

The excavations carried out in the 80’s revealed a settlement from the final period of the Bronze Age (13th to 8th centuries BC), consolidated in the Oriental period (8th to 7th centuries BC). Undoubtedly, this elevated location, with easy access to water resources and territorial control promoted the establishment of an important Ibero-Turdetani center. The wealth of this settlement could be seen in the luxury objects exhumed from these levels (a decorated ivory comb, red slip ware pottery, ointments, etc.), from the commercial exchanges between the indigenous and colonial societies (Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians).

The Town Archeological Museum houses this archeological heritage, although local pieces are also preserved and exhibited in the Provincial Archaeological Museum of Cordoba.

The Roman legacy

The archaeological sequence continues in the Iberian period to link with the Romanization, so the the Roman culture settle on the population that was known as Epora already at this time. The toponym means “seer” in Greek, owing to its privileged location over the Guadalquivir.

The Romanization of the spot began at the end of the 3rd century BC with the participation of the primitive population of Epora in the wars between Romans and Carthaginians, taking sides in favor of Rome. This action motivated the relations between the Roman and indigenous people, ending with the signing of a treaty of alliance (foedus) with Rome around 206 BC. Epora gained then the status of civitas foederata, a legal recognition that was then enjoyed only by Gades and Malaca in Baetica.

The Roman Epora of the II and I centuries BC settled basically on the same urban centers existing in the Llanete de los Moros and Palomarejo to later occupy all the territory surrounded by the river meander, including part of the mountains.

Having taken part in favor of Caesar in the wars against Pompey allowed the inhabitants of Epora to continue enjoying that excellent relationship with the metropolis. This opulence and social welfare appear in the large number of noble families that lived there (Aimilia, Cornelia, Julia, Claudia, Fabia, etc.). During Augustus’ time, Epora enjoyed the status of a confederate city allied with Rome.

Undoubtedly the first century AD was the time of development and monumentalization of the urban center. The archaeological remains of this time (bases, shafts and capitals, altars and marble inscriptions) exhibited in the Archaeological Museum show that. From this time on, Epora had its own mint and was allowed to mint coins with the name of Epora.

Its strategic location next to the Baetis River made Epora a reference point in the route of the Via Augusta, the great communications network of Baetica. The Vicarello Cups and the Antonine Itinerary show the distance between Corduba and Epora as well as the existence of an Ad lucos (resting place) near the town.

The Via Augusta entered the province of Córdoba crossing the Roman bridge in Villa del Río, over the Salado stream, arriving in Epora through the Camino or Colada de los Almendros (Almond tree road). Then it went to Barca de Adamuz towards Sacili Martialium (town of Pedro Abad). In Montoro, remains of the Roman road can be seen in a very good state of preservation, being of the glarea strata type (paved with pebbles or small pebbles).

Another important existing communication route started in Epora to the towns of the Pedroches Valley such as Solia and Baedro.  Originally, it must have been a local road whose maintenance was in charge of the cities of Epora and Solia, probably to communicate areas of metallurgical production. Likewise, the Via Epora – Solia was of the glarea strata type. This route preserves a small bridge from the 1st century AD, built with a semicircular arch and the paved road runs through it.

The economy of Epora was based on the cultivation of olive trees and cereals, extensive cattle, hunting (in the mountains) and the exploitation of copper and lead mines located in the areas of La Chaparrera, El Retamoso and El Romeral.

Middle and Modern Ages

Little archaeological and documentary documents have we received about the transformations that could have modified the urban design of Epora with the Visigothic culture and the later Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. The Visigothic testimonies are limited to farming contexts far from the urban center, as a result of the ruralization process that had already been taking place since the Lower Empire.

With the Arab occupation, the town was renamed Kántar-Estesan (in allusion to the existence of a bridge), the walled district was rebuilt and a citadel was built in what is now the Santa María de la Mota square. The conquest of the city took place after some incursions under the reign of Alfonso VII – in 1240 by Ferdinand III the Saint, forming part of the Crown of Castile.

It remained under the jurisdiction of Cordoba until 1660, when it passed to the Marquis of El Carpio. In 1662, Philip IV turns the town as a duchy and in 1668 it joins the House of Alba, although this aristocratic house will only have jurisdiction over a series of activities: civil and criminal, rights over sales tax, appointment of mayor and clerk.

Undoubtedly, it is during the Modern Age, especially between the 16th and 17th centuries, when Montoro begins an intense constructive and urban work. From this period are the most emblematic buildings of town: the Puente Mayor (Main Bridge), the Casas Consistoriales (Town Hall), San Bartolomé Church, Casa Tercia, etc.). This constructive peak is accompanied by the installation of large estates dedicated to the cultivation of olives, grapes and cereals.

Contemporary Montoro

During the Peninsular War, the locals played an important role in the Spanish uprising against the French by raising soldiers, military equipment and providing shelter to the soldiers in the days before the Battle of Bailén. Ferdinand VII recognized the patriotic action of the people from Montoro granting them the title of City with the title of “Noble, Loyal and Patriotic”, on August 8, 1808. This recognition allows the Town Council the use of mace-bearers in civil acts and the treatment of lordships to the councilors of town.

The Spanish Civil War seriously affected the town planning and artistic heritage of Montoro, destroying almost all of the religious images during the first days of the conflict, when the architectural heritage of town, both civil and religious, suffered serious damage, due to the constant skirmishes.

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