Situated at the confluence of the riversJalón and Arbujuelo, Medinaceli was the site of theCeltiberian town known asOccilis orOkilis.
During the Islamic period it enjoyed the status ofmadina (city).[5] In this period, the Berber Banū Salīm, a lineage of theMasmuda tribal group, installed in the area.[6] Even after the Banū Salīm fell from grace and were routed in 920, Medinaceli retained its strategic importance forCordobese authorities, serving as a powerbase for military operations in the north, including thecampaign against Christian settlements in the upper Duero and the curbing of theBanu Tujib revolt.[7] Medinaceli became the head of theMiddle March in 946.[5]
Built between the 1st and 3rd centuriesCE, Medinaceli is home to the only three-gatedRoman arch in Spain. The arch is used as Spain Historic site symbol throughout the country.
Other buildings include the Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, whose abbots fought with thebishops of Sigüenza to maintain the city's rights. The Convent ofSaint Elizabeth (16th century) (Convento de Santa Isabel), which lies next to the church of San Martín, also stands in good condition. Thebeaterio (house inhabited bylay sisters) of San Román (Saint Romanus) is in ruins; it may have previously been asynagogue.
Moorish-era remains include a stone gate, one of the few remains of the ancient city walls.
The town is also listed as a Camping Aire, suitable for motorhomes, in Vicarious Media "All the Aires in Spain". The aire is on a plateau next to a small water tower and affords magnificent panoramic views. The town is a very short walk from the aire.
The "Toro Jubilo" or "Toro de Fuego" is a festival that takes place in Medinaceli. The festival is a symbolic ritual celebrating a victory against the Carthaginians in the city of Elche.[8] During this festival, a bull is tied to a post. Balls of tar are then placed on each horn of the bull and lit. The bull is then released in the square, which has five lit bonfires symbolizing five martyrs.[9]
Animal rights groupPACMA has described the fiesta as "a clear example of animal mistreatment"[citation needed] andPETA has called it "a sadistic festival".[10] This is because the fire balls burn for hours, causing a great amount of agony to the animal.
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