ABSTRACT
In recent years, historians have shown a greater interest in the lives of disabled people, with a broader and more inclusive focus. We contribute to this new body of research by unveiling the reality and experiences of blind people in an urban setting such as sixteenth-century Valencia. In Early Modern Spain, and elsewhere in Europe, blind street singers played an important part in the dissemination of written culture among an illiterate population. We have chosen a fictional blind street singer, Josep, as guide in the Hidden Valencia app. He brings app users closer to historical places that witnessed crucial moments of the Revolt of the Brotherhoods (1519–1522) and its aftermath. By showcasing the hidden meanings attached to these sites, we present Valencia’s urban public space as a dynamic key player in this troubled period. Furthermore, we examine how narratives about these events were constructed and informed by both first-hand accounts and place-based experiences. In so doing, we aim to underline the active role of early modern blind street singers as cultural mediators while at the same time reflecting on the challenges faced by historians when representing and giving voice to disabled characters.
