Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, known as El Cid, stands as one of Spain’s most iconic figures. His turbulent life—marked by exile, battles against Muslims and Christians, and a lasting imprint on history, literature, and art—has become a shared cultural imagination. The journey of My Cid’s Song also helps map the Camino del Cid, a 2,000-kilometer route that invites travelers to recreate the epic passages in real-world settings.
Equestrian statue of El Cid in Burgos
It offers a distinct way to explore geography, history, and heritage. Even ten centuries after his death, El Cid rides on the back of his enduring legend. Since then, scholars and writers from within and beyond Spain have followed in the footsteps of the anonymous poet, turning myth into diverse works. The epic hero has appeared in theater, exhibitions, essays, poems, and novels, continuing to shape how audiences understand him. Works such as Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s comprehensive biography El Cid. History and Legend of a Warlord and David Porrinas’s history illuminate the blend of fact and myth. He has also appeared in music and cinema, giving him wide international visibility.
Indeed, some actors from the past, such as Charlton Heston, embodied El Cid in one of cinema’s greatest epics. For others, a contemporary face may resemble him. Jaime Lorente portrays the titular knight in the 2020 Amazon Prime adaptation that retells the medieval story for a modern audience.
El Cid and his men, mural by Vela Zanetti at the Palacio de la Diputación in Burgos
A character made a legend
El Cid’s presence remains vibrant, especially as audiences travel along his origins. The narrative traces back to the years 1045–1049, close to his birth. Evidence points to a childhood in a town near the Ubierna river valley, about ten kilometers north of Burgos. Rodrigo grows up at the court of King Ferdinand I, serving his son Sancho and later his brother Alfonso. He marries Jimena Díaz, a member of the Leonese nobility. In 1081, after losing the king’s trust, El Cid is exiled. He offers his services to the Count of Barcelona and heads to the Taifa of Zaragoza, aligning with its king. After reconciling with Alfonso VI, another exile follows, leading him to act independently. In 1094, El Cid conquers Valencia, where he dies on July 10, 1099.
That moment sparks the emergence of stories and songs that praise his figure, crystallizing at the end of the 12th century or the early 13th century, with My Cid’s Song taking center stage. This epic poem, likely composed at the end of the 12th century or the early 13th century and completed in 1207, was copied into manuscripts that are kept in the National Library of Madrid. The poem invites listeners to imagine reciting or singing it during moments of longing for the past.
My Cid’s Song
In the footsteps of Cid
This study places El Cid among the earliest major literary expressions written in Spanish and places the Song of Roland beside Europe’s great epics like Beowulf, The Nibelungen, and King Arthur. Yet My Cid’s Song also relates to a literal route that blends literature and tourism. Every year, travelers explore it by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot, following the path laid by the epic and historical traces of Cid Campeador.
Sealed safe behavior of the Camino del Cid
Since the late 19th century, many have traced El Cid’s steps. The modern route began to take shape in 2002 when Burgos, Soria, Guadalajara, Zaragoza, Teruel, Castellón, Valencia, and Alicante formed the Camino del Cid Consortium. This public institution manages the route, which spans from northwest to southeast Spain, revealing the literary and historical layers of the Cid legend. The journey covers roughly 1,400 kilometers of trails and 2,000 kilometers of roads and is divided into themed segments between 50 and 300 kilometers to suit different travel plans.
The route’s breadth highlights Spain’s rich cultural, historical, and environmental diversity. Enthusiasts of El Cid and the Middle Ages, lovers of heritage, nature, and adventure sports—especially hiking and cycling—find a compelling itinerary. Eight World Heritage Sites of medieval origin, 41 towns recognized as historic sites, more than 200 castles and watchtowers, distinctive gastronomy, and examples of Visigoth, Romanesque, Gothic, Islamic, and Mudejar art all await along the way.
Villafranca del Cid in Castellón
Camino del Cid mostly traverses sparsely populated rural areas, offering a unique travel experience for rural tourism, trails, and outdoor lovers. Seventy protected natural areas in the Natura 2000 Network further enrich the journey.
Entering the Camino del Cid means stepping into a memory of space and time—a journey that reveals some of the most fascinating corners of the Iberian Peninsula.