Teruel, Aragon, Spain — 1171
The King observes a mystery
- Alfonso II and his men observed a wandering bull and a mysterious, star-like luminous object hovering above. As described in a current historical brochure about the town, “Tradition says that in the XII century, during the Reconquest of Spain, King Alfonso II, after taking several important positions, continued along the banks of the River Martin and upon reaching what is now Teruel, he split his army up, leaving part of his warriors in the Cella Plains with orders to remain on the defensive, and he then proceeded to confront the rebels in the mountains of Prades. This is the point where history and legend blend together. The warriors disobeyed the king’s orders and ran after a bull that was being followed by a star from heaven because they had seen it in premonitory dreams: a sign, according to them, which marked the place where a new town was to be established. In this way they took the fortress of Teruel planting their banner in the conquered fortress.” it. This fact is still represented today on the shield of Teruel, with a bull and a star above
Source: Javier Sierra and Jesus Callejo, La Espana Extrana (Madrid: Ediciones EDAF, 1997), 122-4. Case: W051