Cervantes-inspired Film Uncovers Centuries-old Chart Of Piracy

The archiving process for Alejandro Amenábar’s movie El Cautivo has uncovered a singular portion of maritime history: a 1621 representation depicting nan Mediterranean conflict pinch Algerian corsairs, successful which Denia is prominently featured alongside different ports connected some shores of nan sea.

The find comes conscionable a week aft nan revelation of a redemption database of captives that included Rodrigo Cervantes, relative of nan awesome writer, who was freed successful 1577 and disembarked connected nan formation of Javea.

The recently recovered map, preserved successful nan General Archive of Simancas, is entitled Galleys successful nan Eastern Mediterranean for nan conflict against Algerian corsairs. Illuminated successful colour, it intimately resembles nan cartography of Vespasiano Gonzaga, whose 1575 representation elaborate Denia’s castle and its 2 ports. Alongside Argel, nan representation highlights nan main Levantine ports of Cartagena, Alicante, Denia, Tarragona, Ibiza, Mallorca and Formentera, vividly illustrating nan shape connected which nan Ottoman-backed Berber corsairs fought pinch nan Spanish crown.

Map sheds ray connected pirate raids

Pirate raids were a changeless menace passim nan 16th century. Figures specified arsenic Hayreddin Barbarossa, who unified overmuch of North Africa nether Ottoman control, posed a important threat to Mediterranean waste and acquisition and coastal populations. Local chronicles callback how, successful September 1556, corsair ships attempted to onshore successful Jávea earlier turning their sights connected Denia. Some 600 men disembarked astatine Les Rotes but, met pinch cannon occurrence from nan metropolis walls, withdrew pinch small much than a brace of goats arsenic plunder.

Other raids, however, were acold much devastating. In 1550, Dragut Rais led a fleet of 27 vessels that ravaged towns from Benissa to Cullera, seizing hundreds of captives and leaving coastal communities depopulated for years.

Towers and watchposts

In response, a web of fortified towers and watchposts was built on nan Valencian coast. These were funded by typical taxes aliases section contributions and often guarded by mounted patrols who assured fishermen and farmers of their information each morning.

Despite these defences, fearfulness of penetration remained changeless until nan eventual expulsion of nan Moriscos successful nan early 17th century. Even then, Algerian piracy continued to problem European powers until nan French business of Algiers successful 1830 yet brought it to an end.