A night view of the imposing sculpture of “El Cid Campeador” in Seville, Spain. Mounted on his steed “Bavieca” we have Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (“El Cid”) in a triumphant stance. The sculptor Anna Huntington, spouse of the Hispanist and multimillionaire Archer Milton Huntington, founder of the Hispanic Society of America of New York, donated this bronze statue to the city of Seville.
This is the first of seven equestrian sculptures made by Anna Huntington which reflects her passion for the Spanish culture and history. This monument was unveiled on September 22, 1927. The Architect Vicente Traver y Tomás designed the high stone pedestal of a rectangular base over which the sculpture of “El Cid” surges.
Engraved on the pedestals main views is the following (Free Translation):
“SEVILLE / GOLDEN COURT OF THE POET KING MOTAMID / LODGER OF “MIO CID’ EMBASSADOR / OF ALFONSO VI WHICH SAW HIS TRIUMPHANT / RETURN OF THE KING OF GRANADA.”
“”EL CAMPEADOR” / A TERRIBLE CALAMITY FOR ISLAM / WHICH WITH VIRILE FIRMNESS OF CHARACTER / AND HEROIC ENERGY ONE OF THE / GREATEST MIRACLES OF THE CREATOR / BEN BASSAM.”
