THE SEVEN CITIES OF CIBOLA, THE MOORS AND THE SPANIARDS

One of the myths that sent the Spaniards into the northwestern regions of the New Spain or Colonial Mejico, was the legend of the Seven Cities of Cibola. Allegedly, in 1150, when the Moors conquered Merida, Spain, seven bishops had to flee the city not only to save their lives but to prevent the Muslims from obtaining sacred religious relics and they went to a land – unknown to the people of the continent at that time – accross the Atlantic ocean. Years later, there circulated a rumor that in a far away land, the seven bishops had founded the cities of Cibola and Quivira.

The legend says that these cities grew very rich, mainly from gold and precious stones and this was the idea that prompted many expeditions to these mythical cities through the following centuries. With time, the legend behind these cities grew so much that no one spoke just of Quivira and Cibola, but instead, of the seven magnificent cities made of gold. One for each of the bishops who had founded them after having fled from Merida, Spain to this new world.
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR CONNECTION TO THE RELIGIOUS RELICS FROM MERIDA, SPAIN?.

Could the bishops be somehow connected with the Knights Templar? I wonder. And could the religious relics they carried be one and the same that the Templars found in Jerusalem, while they were living on the site of King Herod’s Temple, situated above the underlying ruins of King Salomon’s Temple where they were thought to have dug out mysterious relics? In 1127, aproximately nine years after the nine initial poor knights had taken up residence in this location, they allegedly found a treasure, of such importance, that it would eventually make them immensly rich and powerful. So much so, that some believe the Pope worried they would reveal the nature of their treasure to the world and that they might have been paid off to keep quiet about it and that gave them some sort of leverage against the Catholic church and eventually unleash the beginning of their demise on that ominous arrest on Friday October the 13th, 1307, a day which we now associate with bad luck.

ABOUT JUSTICE, FOR THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR – 700 YEARS LATER

While on this topic and on the 700th year anniversary of their brutal demise, it appears The Vatican is offering a “very” belated “very” post-mortem apology, to exhonerate the Templar Knights and restore their reputation by writing a letter to the Hertford Templar Knights in England, which apparently was received by the current Grand Master. This in response to a document found in 2001 by Professor Barbara Frale, which prompted the Vatican to look into this matter.

The Chinon parchment, dated April 1308; was apparently misfiled in the Vatican’s archives back in the 17th century, or was it?, has a narrative of the interrogation of several Templar Knights; one of them none other than the Grand Master himself, Jacques de Molay. It was conducted by the Holy Inquisition and it states the knights were found innocent and absolved of the charges of herecy and other wrong doings in 1308. So how was it that they were still imprissoned, tortured and killed 8 years after their Friday, October 13, 1307 arrest.
Redemption by fire? Oh yes, they were burned alive and that is where Jacques de Molay cursed Pope Clement V and France’s King Phillip the Fair by saying they would soon follow hm in death. Within less than a year they were both dead. It is no wonder there are claims that when King Louie XVI was guillotined, someone in the crowd yelled out: “That is for Jacques de Molay”.
Justice at last? So easily said and sadly, a weak gesture. If this was known in the 17th century, why not speak out then? What were they afraid of? Why wait so long? What other self damning evidence have they found that makes them come out and grant such a belated pardon?
By the way, the Vatican is publishing a book on October 25th and I suppose it will mention the Knight Templar connection and it also sells you a leather bound folder with a copy of the Chinon parchment. The cost: I believe 3,200 Lira. Will research this further and keep you posted.
UPDATE: Today X-25-07, Katey Couric reported on the Templar Manuscript and the leather bound book; of which only 800? copies were made; one of them already belongs to the Pope. So if you wish to acquire a copy, it will set you back about $8,000.00 US., I was way off. Do the Templars get the proceeds, who does?

BACK TO THE SEVEN BISHOPS


It is said that the name of the city where the seven bishops allegedly went to was Antilia, which incidentally, was the basis for the Antilles, a name that was initially applied to the West Indian islands of the Caribbean. Yet, these islands failed to yield the large quantities of gold and silver desired by the Spaniards. By 1539, other lands reported on by explorer Cabeza de Vaca and his men were believed to hold the El Dorado also known as Cibola, came to the attention of the Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza and he sent Fray Marcos de Niza and the African Estevanico on a reconnoitering expedition. It was in this expedition that Estevanico died at Hawikuh, the southernmost point in the Zuni pueblos in western New Mejico.

When Fray Marcos returned to the New Spain, he reported seeing golden cities, the smallest of which was supposed to be larger than the City of Mejico. In 1450, the expedition of Francisco Vazquez de Coronado captured Hawijuh and learned the truth about it as well as other pueblos. In the following year, the dissapointment over not finding the Seven Cities of Cibola in this area, moved Coronado to start a futile search for Quivira, one of the seven golden cities which crossed the panhandle of Texas. This is a funny reference I read somewhere: When the Spaniards asked the natives where El Dorado was, they responded to them by saying: go further this way or that way. In this manner, the Spaniards were kept busy looking for the elusive El Dorado and out of their hair.

THE NAMES OF SPANIARD EXPLORERS: CABEZA DE VACA, CORONADO IN EL PASO, TEXAS.

When you visit the City of El Paso in Texas, the names of Cabeza de Vaca and Coronado are part of the culture and city itself, here you will find The Museum of the History of the Chihuahuan Desert named after explorer Cabeza de Vaca at the Campus of the University of Texas at El Paso – UTEP. There is a suburb in the West side of El Paso called Coronado, with residential areas such as Coronado Hills. You will also find Coronado High School, a Coronado Shopping Center and many other businesses with the name Coronado. In the West Side of the City, on the side of Franklin Mountain, you can see the shape explorer Coronado identified as a giant bird and called it “The Thunderbird”, which is clearly visible because of it’s reddish color and yes, it looks like a giant bird. There is Thunderbird Road in the West Side, also, a sports team, “The Thunderbirds”.
The Franklin Mountains in El Paso offer a spectacular view from it’s Transmountain Road, carved right through a pass between two peaks of the mountain itself. You can also take in the Scenic Drive where you also get the far reaching panoramic view of El Paso’s East side, Central El Paso and glance accross the border to Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. If you don’t mind heights, you can also take a ride the “Wyler Aerial Tramway” which takes you to the highest viewpoint of the Franklin Mountains – Ranger Peak where you have a view of 3 states – Chihuahua, New Mexico and Texas; 2 cities – El Paso and Juarez and two countries. I hear it is a great experience but having fear of heights has prevented me from riding it.

LOST MINES IN EL PASO, TEXAS AND THE NEW MEXICO MOUNTAINS

Yes explorers, El Paso, Texas boasts lost mines in it’s Franklin Mountains. If you take Transmountain Road, it takes you to the Tom Mays park and there are some old mine shafts you can take a look at while hiking there. And in spring time, in the same Transmountain road at the Wilderness Park Museum fields;depending on the amount of rainfall in the previous seasons; your eyes will be greeted by the biggest display of yellow poppies you will ever see at the foot of a mountain. Schools often do field trips for this display of Mother Nature’s.

FAMOUS EL PASOANS

El Paso, Texas also boasts some residents who are as much a part of it’s history and the further telling and unveiling of the Old Southwest City’s History. One of them is Mexican born, American artist Jose Cisneros. A man of great talent who has immortalized the old Spanish Conquistadores and other Raiders in his beautiful drawings. Some of his illustrations appear in some of Leon C. Metz’ books and his art work hangs in the White House and many other places. He is a gentle, kind and unassuming man, who since childhood has been fascinated by Spanish History and in love with El Paso’s Spanish origins. He has been Knighted by King Juan Carlos of Spain; has received the 2001 National Arts and Humanities Medal from President Bush. Had three private audiences with the late Pope John Paul II and received commendations from him on two of them. He has also received commendations from the President of Mexico, The Western Writers of America, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and is an Honorary Tigua Indian. These, among many other honors.

I am honoured to be his great-niece.           My maternal  grandmother Josefina Cisneros de Tolentino was his first cousin.   Their fathers were brothers and growing up we always heard about cousin Jose’s art work and about the mural he painted at the basement of my great-grandfather’s house in Dorado del Parral, Chihuahua.    My grandmother’s husband Jose Otilio Tolentino Hernandez; a composer/accountant;  was the brother of Arturo Tolentino H. the composer of a well known waltz “Ojos de Juventud” which Alfonso Arau used as a love theme in his famous movie “Like Water for Chocolate”, based on the book writen byhis then wife Laura Esquivel.   But that is another story.
There are many other events and stories that revolve around this house and how during the Mexican Revolution, my grandmother, her siblings and many cousins would be hidden in that basement to protect them from both the federales and the revolutionaries.  I guess it was partly at these times when young Jose painted such mural.    You see, my great-grandfather was a merchant and he had a property that housed the general store, furniture store,  butcher shop, bakery and their residence and it was set very close to the railroad tracks.   He was in good terms with both militias – he “gave” them supplies they demanded and that might have helped him to protect his family.

UPDATE:   It is sad to report that Don Jose Cisneros passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 14, 2009, a few months shy of his hundred birthday -born April 18,1910.   Last time the family saw him was a couple years ago at the Adair Margo Gallery in El Paso, Texas, where his art work was in exhibit.  We had a chance to chat and reminisce about family tales and enjoy his company.  I am so glad we took family pictures with him, looking handsome in a stylish white jacket.  Our condolences go to his daughter Irene; my mom’s cousin and namesake;  his other daughters and rest of his family.

Another well known citizen of the Sun City, is writer/historian Leon C. Metz, originally from Parkersburg, West Virginia now a celebrated El Pasoan, who has writen many books on the history of El Paso, the Mexican Revolution and it’s many historical protagonists, including the great strategist, revolutionary Francisco “Pancho” Villa – birth name Doroteo Arango. He has also writen books about Fort Bliss and the prescence of the U.S. Military in the area. He hosts his own radio show at 10 a.m. Saturday mornings on KTSM radio and takes calls from listeners.   I have had the pleasure of meeting this charming man and his brother.  My husband is a fan of his and has many of his books eloquently signed for him by Mr. Metz.

Another well known name in El Paso is that of Tom Lea. Muralist, illustrator, best selling novelist, historian, WWII correspontent and good friend to Jose Cisneros from the early days when they met at Texas Western Press. The 100 anniversary of his birth was celebrated in 2007 and July was Tom Lea month in the Sun City. Books by these three gentlemen are published by Texas Western Press at the University of Texas at El Paso – UTEP- a great university and their museum has exhibits related to them. When in El Paso, Texas, don’t forget to visit it.

Following I am attaching a link that takes you to the site where they describe and talk about the Lost Padre Mines where it is said the conquistadors hide their treasures:

http://unifiedworlds.com/caves.htm

There is another site that celebrates the mountains in the area and activities planned around them. I believe this is a yearly event:

http://www.celebrationofourmountains.org

If you have ever heard Marty Robbins song “El Paso”, you should know that “Rosa’s Cantina” is an actual place with really good food and Mr. Robbins stopped there for a meal when he and his family were traveling through the El Paso area on Doniphan Drive (before I-10 went in) and he was so taken with the place it was the inspiration for his very famous 1959 song.   If you are ever down in the Old Southwest, be sure to go there, you will like the experience and love the food.