The original articles of surrender by the Moorish residents of Almería to the Christian armies in the 15th century have been found (they were lost? Stuck in a box somewhere it seems) by Ideal newspaper and restored by them.
They are now on display until after Christmas at the Museo Arqueológico Provincial.
The Capitulaciones as they are known, were negotiated between the Islamic ruler of the city of Almería and the Catholic Kings Isabel & Fernando and signed by all parties on the 26th of December 1489. The treaty handed over the city and all its lands to the Catholics in exchange for a promise that those Muslims who so wanted to could continue living there, a promise that was originally honoured until Isabel decided to stamp down on the moriscos, as they were known, and force their conversion.
Ideal newspaper is preparing a series of articles on these fascinating documents and will be releasing them over the next fortnight ahead of the annual boxing day commemoration in the city.
