Siege of Córdoba (1236) facts for kids
The Siege of Córdoba in 1236 was a big event during the reconquista. This was a long period when Christian kingdoms in Spain tried to take back land from Muslim rulers. In 1236, King Ferdinand III of Castile and León led his army to capture the city of Córdoba. This victory ended over 500 years of Muslim rule in the city, which had started in 711.
King Ferdinand's success was helped by problems among the Muslim rulers. After the Almohad empire broke apart, different local rulers called taifas were fighting each other. This made it easier for Ferdinand to attack. What's interesting is that the siege started in a very unexpected way, with almost no planning.
How the Siege Started
The siege began in late 1235 or early 1236. A group of brave soldiers called almogávars heard that some people in Córdoba were unhappy with their rulers. These almogávars were like border guards from Castile. They knew the area well and some even spoke Arabic.
One rainy winter night, a small group of these almogávars, led by some knights, secretly climbed a tower in the eastern part of Córdoba, called Ajarquia. They met their contacts inside the city. Soon, they took control of this neighborhood. This surprise attack was very quick and didn't face much resistance in Ajarquia.
Historians have different ideas about how this happened. Some stories say the knights were super heroic. Others believe that help from inside the city was key to their success. After the city was captured, a tower and a gate in Ajarquia were named after Alvaro Colodro. He was a knight said to have led the climb.
Fighting Inside the City
After taking Ajarquia, the Christian soldiers fought some of the Muslim residents. Many survivors ran to the Al Medina quarter, which was the main part of the city. A strong inner wall separated these two areas. This led to a tough fight, with many losses on both sides. Neither side could easily get past the wall.
The Christian soldiers in Ajarquia quickly sent messages for help. Other Christian forces nearby, especially those led by Álvaro Pérez de Castro, came to support them. They also asked King Ferdinand III to come with his main army.
King Ferdinand's Arrival
The news of the surprise attack caught King Ferdinand by surprise. He had just made a peace agreement with the Muslim ruler Ibn Hud. But Ferdinand decided to act quickly. He rode to Córdoba with a small group of knights, perhaps as few as 30 or up to 100.
He traveled through heavy rain and flooded lands. King Ferdinand arrived at Córdoba on February 7, 1236. His arrival boosted the Christian forces and turned the small skirmish into a full-scale siege. This led to the eventual fall of Córdoba to the Christian forces.
See also
In Spanish: Conquista de Córdoba para niños
