Bakr Ben Yahia Explained

Bakr Ben Yahia (born in the 9th century) was an important Marrano (Iberian crypto-Jew living as a Christian) figure in Gharb al-Andalus, modern-day Algarve in Portugal.

Bakr Ben Yahia was the son of Yahia Ben Bakr. Both Ben Bakr and Ben Yahia held political office and executed important construction in Faro.^[1] Bakr Ben Yahia is credited with constructing the walls, as well as the iron gates around the perimeter of Faro. It is during this time that he brought the image of Mary as it would be stated much later in the songs by King Alfonso X of Castile (1221 – 1284), and the settlement became known as Santa Maria (a former name of modern Faro).^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Patrimonio Cultural . 15 November 2014 . 29 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082539/http://www.patrimoniocultural.pt/pt/patrimonio/patrimonio-imovel/pesquisa-do-patrimonio/classificado-ou-em-vias-de-classificacao/geral/view/74878 . dead .
2. História de Faro (montejunto.net) "Ao revoltoso Yahia Ben Bakr sucede seu filho Bakr Ben Yahia, que executa importantes melhoramentos na cidade. Constroem-se as actuais muralhas, guarnecidas por portas em chapa de ferro, aumentando-se o perímetro da Vila-a-Dentro. Terá sido nesta altura colocada entre as ameias a imagem de Santa Maria, como nos canta Afonso X de Castela, o Rei Sábio. É de crer que neste período a cidade tenha adoptado o nome de Santa Maria do Ocidente ou simplesmente Santa Maria Xanta Maria." http://www.montejunto.net/historia-de-faro