Via de la Plata

Via de la Plata

The Vía de La Plata (English: Silver Way) or Ruta de la Plata (English: Silver Route) is an old commercial path that crosses the west of Spain from north to south, connecting Merida to Astorga, and in extension Sevilla with the Cantabric Sea, in Gijón. According to folk etymology, although the term Vía de la Plata apparently comes from 'silver', it is in fact related to the Arabic, "balata", which means 'paved'.

Currently, the path is used by the modern A-66 and AP-66 freeways, as well as by the older N-630 national road.

Pre-Roman era

The historical origins of this route are currently uncertain. It is believed, based on diverse archaeological findings, that the route was used for commercial purposes involving tin. Tin was present in many regions of the Iberian Peninsula including Tartessos. Therefore, it is more appropriate to call the Vía de La Plata the "Tin Way."

Roman causeway

The "Tin Way" was used as an access road, which allowed the Romans to conquer tribes such as the Callaici, the Astures, and the Vacceos. Many sources, among them the Antonine Itinerary, describe the route to leave from Emerita Augusta, (present-day Merida), capital of Lusitania, towards Asturica Augusta (present-day Astorga) through Tarraconensis.

The road contains compelling physical evidence that shows a Roman constructed road (called the, or a, via lata, or broad road) that has been virtually unchanged at various sections. It was conceived and built as a trade route for the exploitation of gold, as mentioned by Pliny the Elder who held high office as Procurator in Hispania Tarraconensis in 73 AD. It ran from Asturica Augusta (Astorga) in Northwestern Spain, to Emerita Augusta (Mérida) in Southwestern Spain. Hence Hannibal's armies, and their elephants, must have passed along it.

The road's first official name was "Via Delapidata" (or Paved Stone Way), stretched around 900 km (560 miles), and had a branch that joined with the Via Augusta (or Via Heraclea). After its establishment, the Via Delapidata crossed Hispania from Cadiz, through the Pyrenees, towards Gallia Narbonensis (southern France) and Rome in the Italian Peninsula. Currently, the road passes through Salmantica (Salamanca), Metelinum (Medellín), and Castra Caecilia (Cáceres). The Via Delapidata also served as an access road from Hispania Baetica.

The "Silver Way" was, technically, never a belt road for silver commerce. The name was transmogrified from Via Delapidata to Via de la Plata as a result of phonetic confusion. During the Reconquista, the Via Delapidata was pronounced by the Christians of the era as the Via de la Plata, which reflected their social orientation towards the accumulation or appreciation of gold.

Modern times

The suitability of the route's layout is demonstrated even today. The 'Silver Way' is used by modern A-66 and AP-66 freeways as well as by older N-630 national road. Some stretches, however, pass through urban areas. One such case is that of Seville, in which the Via de la Plata runs along the Guadalquivir . Overall, the Via de la Plata has become increasingly popular as an alternative to the Camino Francés for pilgrims walking, cycling or riding to Santiago de Compostela, it is one of many routes used by pilgrims across Europe to fulfill a spiritual/physical journey. Large sections are more or less the same as they were two thousand years ago.

ee also

*Way of St. James

Further Reading

* "Via de la Plata", Alison Raju. Cicerone 2005 ISBN 978 1 85284 444 8

External links

* [http://www.rutadelaplata.com/UserFiles/1/Image/home/mapa.jpgMap of Vía de la Plata]
* [http://www.rutadelaplata.com/en Vía de la Plata route website]
* [http://www.viaplata.org/sevilla-santiago/ Viaplata.org]
* [http://www.godesalco.com/camino/plata La Vía de la Plata]
* [http://www.viaplata.com/ La Vía de la Plata en Extremadura]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Vía de la Plata — Entre Augusta Emerita y Asturica Augusta, Hispania …   Wikipedia Español

  • Via de la Plata — Vía de la Plata Petite statue de St Jacques en …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Via de la plata — Vía de la Plata Petite statue de St Jacques en …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Via de la Plata — Die Via de la Plata ist eine historische Straße zwischen Sevilla und Astorga in Spanien. Sie zieht sich über hunderte Kilometer in Nord Süd Richtung durch die ehemalige römische Provinz Lusitania in Hispania. Ihr genäherter Verlauf samt den… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Vía de la Plata — Die Via de la Plata ist eine historische Straße zwischen Sevilla und Astorga in Spanien. Sie zieht sich über hunderte Kilometer in Nord Süd Richtung durch die ehemalige römische Provinz Lusitania in Hispania. Ihr genäherter Verlauf samt den… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Vía de la Plata — Petite statue de St Jacques en pèlerin a Santa Marta de Tera La Vía de la …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Vía de la Plata — La llamada Via de la Plata tiene su origen en el antiguo nombre romano Vía Lata dado a la ruta romana que unía el oeste de la Península Ibérica de norte a sur. La etimología del nombre «Ruta de la Plata» o «Vía de la Plata» no procede, como se… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Via de la Plata Festival — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Via de la Plata Duración 2008 Localización Mérida, España N.º de ediciones 1 Fecha 11 de Julio Géneros musicales …   Wikipedia Español

  • Vía de la Plata Festival — Via de la Plata Duración 2008 Localización Mérida, España N.º de ediciones 1 Fecha 11 de Julio Géneros musicales Metal El festival Vía de la Plata ha …   Wikipedia Español

  • Via de la Plata Festival — The rock festival Vía de la Plata was created this year in the city of Mérida, Spain.On its first edition, that was the 11 July 2008, the headliner and first announced band of the show is the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Other confirmed… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”