Madrid digitises the first printed edition of Cervantes's tragedy 'Numancia'

The Biblioteca Digital de Madrid has added the 1784 edition of the tragedy "Numancia" by Miguel de Cervantes, written between 1581 and 1585. The play tells the story of the siege and destruction of the Celtiberian city of Numancia by the Romans and was published almost two centuries later in the volume Viaje al Parnaso.

The verse tragedy, in four acts, is based on XVI-century ballads rather than direct historical sources. It was performed at the Corral del Príncipe and was especially appreciated in the XIX century for its themes of freedom, collective heroism, and patriotism.

Now, the edition is available at the Biblioteca Digital de Madrid, which has a collection of around 400 digitised manuscripts, books, and maps, allowing users to consult and download unique materials online and contributing to the preservation of the city's cultural heritage.