Has Miguel de Cervantes been found? Historians may have uncovered Don Quijote's 16th-century creator
Thursday, January 29, 2015 @ 9:34 AM
ONE of Spain's greatest historical mysteries may be about to be solved - the final resting place of Miguel de Cervantes, author of the legendary novel Don Quijote de la Mancha.
Historians say they are looking for 'a man of about 69, with only six teeth, and a paralysed left hand containing lead cannon shrapnel', which the author suffered in the armed forces when fighting in Italy, Portugal and Algeria and in Spain during the Battle of Lepanto.
And they have uncovered a niche in the Trinitarias church in Madrid with the initials 'MC' embossed onto the lid.
They are now attempting to open the niche and examine the remains inside to see whether they do indeed match those of Spain's most famous novelist and playwright.
Said to be the most-edited and translated work in history after the Bible and considered to be a pioneering work of modern literature which kick-started Spain's 'Golden Age', or artistic renaissance, The Ingenious Knight Don Quijote of La Mancha centred on a man driven mad by reading knights' tales, to the point where he believes he is one, and sets off across Spain in search of adventure with his fat, faithful 'page' Sancho Panza and his trusty mare Rocinante.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com