Few knights of the conquest of Seville acquired a reputation comparable to that of Garci Pérez de Vargas. History remembers him as one of the warriors of Ferdinand III's army, while Sevillian tradition preserved extraordinary stories about his courage and daring.
THE LEGEND
For centuries, the old Puerta de Jerez in Seville displayed an inscription that recalled some of the great figures traditionally associated with the history of the city.
Translated into English, its famous verses proclaimed:
“Hercules built me,
Julius Caesar surrounded me
with high walls and towers,
and the Holy King conquered me
with Garci Pérez de Vargas.”
But who was Garci Pérez de Vargas, whose name was remembered beside Hercules, Julius Caesar and Ferdinand III?
Garci Pérez de Vargas was one of the most celebrated knights who accompanied Ferdinand III during the Christian campaigns in Andalusia.
While other commanders operated through the surrounding territories, Garci Pérez became closely associated in Sevillian tradition with the siege of the city itself.
Many stories were told about his courage during the fighting around Seville's walls.
According to the traditional account, Garci Pérez learned that one of the gates on the river side of the city was particularly important for its defence and supply.
Through this area, provisions could reach Seville from the surrounding lands, while the walls, towers and defensive positions offered protection against the Christian forces.
Tradition also tells that the gate had received a Muslim name connected with a respected religious figure.
When Garci Pérez heard this, he is said to have replied:
“Then we shall change the name of that Muslim saint for the name of a Christian saint.”
Without further hesitation, he spurred his horse forward and rode towards the walls.
He crossed the open ground at full gallop while arrows and stones fell around him, striking against his armour and that of his horse.
The defenders watched in astonishment as the solitary knight continued advancing towards the gate despite the danger.
Garci Pérez finally reached the doors.
Raising his sword with both hands, he struck the gate and shouted:
“Gate of Wi-Alfat: from now on you shall be called San Juan.”
Having delivered his challenge, he turned his horse and rode back towards the Christian camp under the same rain of arrows and projectiles.
According to the tradition, the Muslim defenders were left astonished by the audacity of what they had just witnessed.
Years later, after the conquest of Seville by Ferdinand III, the story tells that Garci Pérez fulfilled his promise and that the gate became associated with the name of San Juan.
The tradition also linked the surrounding area with San Juan de Acre, preserving the memory of one of the most daring episodes attributed to Garci Pérez de Vargas during the conquest of Seville.
Translated into English, its famous verses proclaimed:
“Hercules built me,
Julius Caesar surrounded me
with high walls and towers,
and the Holy King conquered me
with Garci Pérez de Vargas.”
But who was Garci Pérez de Vargas, whose name was remembered beside Hercules, Julius Caesar and Ferdinand III?
Garci Pérez de Vargas was one of the most celebrated knights who accompanied Ferdinand III during the Christian campaigns in Andalusia.
While other commanders operated through the surrounding territories, Garci Pérez became closely associated in Sevillian tradition with the siege of the city itself.
Many stories were told about his courage during the fighting around Seville's walls.
According to the traditional account, Garci Pérez learned that one of the gates on the river side of the city was particularly important for its defence and supply.
Through this area, provisions could reach Seville from the surrounding lands, while the walls, towers and defensive positions offered protection against the Christian forces.
Tradition also tells that the gate had received a Muslim name connected with a respected religious figure.
When Garci Pérez heard this, he is said to have replied:
“Then we shall change the name of that Muslim saint for the name of a Christian saint.”
Without further hesitation, he spurred his horse forward and rode towards the walls.
He crossed the open ground at full gallop while arrows and stones fell around him, striking against his armour and that of his horse.
The defenders watched in astonishment as the solitary knight continued advancing towards the gate despite the danger.
Garci Pérez finally reached the doors.
Raising his sword with both hands, he struck the gate and shouted:
“Gate of Wi-Alfat: from now on you shall be called San Juan.”
Having delivered his challenge, he turned his horse and rode back towards the Christian camp under the same rain of arrows and projectiles.
According to the tradition, the Muslim defenders were left astonished by the audacity of what they had just witnessed.
Years later, after the conquest of Seville by Ferdinand III, the story tells that Garci Pérez fulfilled his promise and that the gate became associated with the name of San Juan.
The tradition also linked the surrounding area with San Juan de Acre, preserving the memory of one of the most daring episodes attributed to Garci Pérez de Vargas during the conquest of Seville.
BETWEEN HISTORY AND LEGEND
Garci Pérez de Vargas was a real medieval knight and one of the figures traditionally associated with the campaigns of Ferdinand III and the conquest of Seville. His reputation for bravery became deeply rooted in Sevillian historical memory.
Centuries later, that memory was reflected in the famous inscription of the Puerta de Jerez, which placed his name alongside Ferdinand III and other figures traditionally linked to the history of the city.
The episode of the ride towards the walls, the challenge at the gate and the promise to give it the name of San Juan belongs to the traditional account preserved in Sevillian literature.
As happens with many stories transmitted over centuries, the exact identification and medieval names of some gates and locations have been interpreted in different ways by later historians and researchers.
For this reason, the story is best understood as a meeting point between a historically documented knight, the memory of the conquest of Seville and the traditional narrative that transformed Garci Pérez de Vargas into one of its legendary heroes.
Centuries later, that memory was reflected in the famous inscription of the Puerta de Jerez, which placed his name alongside Ferdinand III and other figures traditionally linked to the history of the city.
The episode of the ride towards the walls, the challenge at the gate and the promise to give it the name of San Juan belongs to the traditional account preserved in Sevillian literature.
As happens with many stories transmitted over centuries, the exact identification and medieval names of some gates and locations have been interpreted in different ways by later historians and researchers.
For this reason, the story is best understood as a meeting point between a historically documented knight, the memory of the conquest of Seville and the traditional narrative that transformed Garci Pérez de Vargas into one of its legendary heroes.
PODCAST VERSION
SOURCE AND ADAPTATION
Adapted for Sevilla Ciudad Mágica from the Sevillian tradition collected by José María de Mena in Tradiciones y Leyendas Sevillanas.
Seville is not only discovered through its monuments and streets.
Its legends are also part of its history and cultural memory.
Its legends are also part of its history and cultural memory.
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