History in Motion
History in motion is the pleasant sensation produced by the punctilious attention to the decorative construction and the everyday life of the era.
Immense effort has been made at Ciudad Al-ManSur to achieve an accurate historical setting.
The visit to Ciudad Al ManSur starts with access to the Medina by the East Gate, which leads to the reception area where visitors are welcomed by the personal guard of the Wali (governor of the city).
The visitor is informed that it is a day of rejoicing in the city since the Wali has been fighting for several months in Abu Amir al-Mansur’s most recent campaign against the Christian kingdoms and they have returned victorious.
At this very moment, the Wali is in the Mosque of Cordoba thanking Allah for the defeat of the enemies, after which he will head for Ciudad Al ManSur where his cousin, the regent, will honour him with a welcome banquet.
Visitors then enter the heart of the city, and in its labyrinth of streets and alleyways they will meet the inhabitants and most characteristic personalities, while being able to visit a Moorish house, the oven, the mill, and so forth, enjoy an authentic, relaxing bath and massages according to the custom of the time in the “hammam” and visit the market. The arrival of the Caliph accompanied by his entourage and knights is solemnly announced. They enter the Medina by the East Gate.
The company goes through the centre of the city until it reaches the levelled area in front of the mosque, where the Wali enters to pray while his knights leave and mingle with the visitors. When he leaves the mosque, the Wali goes to his guests to thank them for the welcome, he announces the victory of the troops of Allah over the enemies and shares with them the sadness over his son, lost in combat.
It is not the time for sadness, though. It is a day to celebrate , and in the end the Wali calls the visitors to share the equestrian performances with him and the banquet to be held shortly afterwards in the arena.
It is all fun and enthusiasm in the equestrian arena with the performances of knights and horses until the betrayal of the regent gives rise to a fight to the death, which is initially won by the traitors until the son of the Wali, lost in battle, appears with his faithful to decisively change the course of events.
