In these days when there is so much talk about Ceuta and Melilla, the two Spanish autonomous cities in North Africa whose sovereignty is claimed by Moroccan nationalism, we are going to analyse their vibrant history, from their origins to the present day.
Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish autonomous cities located in North Africa, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Their history is rich and complex, marked by a confluence of cultures, conflicts and political transformations. Over the centuries, these two cities have been strategic points at the crossroads of trade and military routes, which has left a deep mark on their historical development.
Origins and antiquity
The history of Ceuta and Melilla dates back to antiquity. Ceuta, known as “Abyla” in Phoenician times, was an important trading port. The Phoenicians, who were great navigators and traders, established settlements in the region around the 7th century BC. Later, the Carthaginians and the Romans also occupied the city. Under Roman rule, Ceuta was known as “Septem Fratres” because of the seven mountains surrounding it, and became a crucial landmark on the Strait of Gibraltar.
Melilla, meanwhile, also has an ancient history. The Phoenicians were the first to settle in the area, and later the Romans and Byzantines also occupied the city. Melilla’s strategic position on the Mediterranean coast made it a vital point for the control of trade and maritime routes.
The Middle Ages and the Islamic conquest
During the Middle Ages, both Ceuta and Melilla underwent a series of significant changes. In the 7th century, the expansion of Islam transformed the region. Ceuta was conquered by the Muslims in 711, just before the invasion of the Iberian Peninsula by Tariq ibn Ziyad. The city became a key point of the Umayyad caliphate of Córdoba and, later, of the Almoravid and Almohad caliphates.
Melilla also fell under Islamic control during this period. The city was part of the Caliphate of Córdoba and, later, of the Taifa kingdoms that emerged after the fragmentation of the Caliphate. Islamic influence left a deep mark on the culture, architecture and society of both cities.
The Reconquest and the rule of Portugal
The Reconquista, the process by which the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula regained control of territories under Muslim rule, had an impact on Ceuta and Melilla. In 1415, Ceuta was conquered by the Kingdom of Portugal in an event that marked the beginning of Portuguese expansion in North Africa. The city became an important military and commercial base for Portugal.
Melilla, however, was not conquered by the Portuguese. The city remained under Islamic control until 1497, when the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella, decided to take it as part of their expansion strategy in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Melilla was incorporated into the Kingdom of Spain, consolidating the Spanish presence in the region.
Modern times and conflicts
Over the following centuries, Ceuta and Melilla became bastions of the European presence in North Africa. The strategic position of both cities made them the subject of numerous conflicts and sieges. Ceuta, for example, resisted several attempts at reconquest by the Moroccan sultans. In 1668, by the Treaty of Lisbon, Portugal officially ceded Ceuta to Spain, consolidating Spanish control over the city.
Melilla also faced numerous challenges. In 1774, it was besieged by the forces of Moroccan Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah, but the city withstood the siege. Conflicts continued throughout the 19th century, with episodes such as the African War (1859-1860), in which Spain reasserted its control over the cities and expanded its territories.
The 20th century and autonomy
The 20th century brought new challenges and transformations for Ceuta and Melilla. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), both cities were strategic points for nationalist forces. After the war, they became part of Franco’s regime and, later, of Spanish democracy after Franco’s death in 1975.
In 1995, Ceuta and Melilla achieved a new administrative status by becoming autonomous cities within Spain. This change gave them greater political and administrative autonomy, allowing them to manage their own internal affairs more independently.
Contemporary issues
Today, Ceuta and Melilla remain the subject of diplomatic disputes between Spain and Morocco. Morocco claims sovereignty over both cities, arguing that they are an integral part of its territory. Spain, for its part, maintains that Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish cities with their own identity and history.
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