The legacy of Moorish Spain

When we think of Spain, we think of European culture, food and monarchy but many don’t realise it has a wealth of legacy from its Moorish past

Spain has been a European powerhouse for many a century now. Understandably, most people perceive Spain, in its language, culture, architecture, food and monarchy, to be predominantly Mediterranean or Western European.

Few non-Europeans realise that Spain has had a grand and colourful past that includes a time when large parts of the country fell under Moorish rulers or the expansive Caliphate of Cordoba. The Moors, or Arabs and Berbers from the Maghreb (North Africa), were the Muslim conquerors.

Conquest & Reconquista

One of the most renowned figures in that mediaeval age was the hero El Cid (a term of address meaning “The Lord”), or Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, who lived from c1043 to 1049AD and fought under both the Christian crown as well as Islamic rulers.

Long after the Reconquista, or Christian re-conquest, and the founding of the Empire of Spain (as well as the discovery of the Americas) in 1492, the rich and multi-faceted legacy of Moorish Spain still endures.

Here are some must-see destinations to get a feel of Moorish Spain.

Moorish Al Andalus

The region of Andalusia in southern Spain is the most characteristic of Moorish Spain. The name is from “Al Andalus”, which is an Arabic reference to Muslim Spain.

The Legado Andalusí, a touristic and cultural project to recover and promote the historic legacies of Moorish civilization, has designed seven tourist routes criss-crossing the eight provinces of Andalusia.

These include the Caliphate Route linking Córdoba and Granada, which travels through towns of white architecture and protected natural spaces such as the Sierra Subbética; the Washington Irving Route, in honour of the 19th Century American writer and traveller, which connects Seville and Granada and journeys through towns with an important Arab past including Carmona, Antequera and Loja; and the Route of the Nasrids (dynasty), which begins in Navas de Tolosa in the province of Jaen and continues south to Granada passing through monumental cities such as Úbeda and Baeza.

More information on these routes can be obtained from www.spainisculture.com or from the Spain Tourism Board at www.tourspain.es.

The Moorish legacy is scattered throughout Andalusia, in mosques, castles and watchtowers peppered throughout the Andalusian lands, making this landscape a convergence of Islamic and Christian cultures. Nonetheless, it is in the cities of Granada and Córdoba where this heritage is richest.

The Mezquita of Cordoba

The Mezquita or Great Mosque of Córdoba is an amalgam of varied architectural styles layered over nine centuries. It is one of the most iconic examples of Islamic art in Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Built in 785AD by Emir Abdurrahman I, on the site of the Visigothic Church of San Vicente, the mosque underwent consecutive extensions over later centuries. The interior resembles a labyrinth of pretty columns with double arcades and horseshoe arches.

After the Christian re-conquest, a cathedral was built inside. Its decoration comprises Byzantine mosaic with crafted marble.

The Alhambra of Granada

The Alhambra is a grand complex which includes a palace, fortifications, residential buildings and gardens. Its palace is characterised by spacious rectangular courtyards and several fountains.

The Alcazaba citadel, resembling a reddish castle, is the most prominent and impressive part of the Alhambra, while the Courtyard of the Lions with its fountains is one of the most beautiful in the compound. The Alhambra is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is not surprising to find that the Alhambra has inspired numerous works of music or literature.

The Giralda of Seville

The Cathedral of Seville’s minaret, or Giralda, was the culmination of Almohad Muslim architecture and served as a model for the minarets at Rabat and Marrakesh in Morocco. It was used for calling the faithful to prayer as well as an observatory, and was so venerated that the Moors wanted to destroy it so that the Christians could not lay their hands on it.

The Giralda dominates the skyline of Seville. You can ascend to the bell chamber for an incredible view of the city.

Arabs Baths in Jaen

Villardompardo Palace in Jaen was built in 1592, on the orders of the former Viceroy of Peru. What is little known is that Arab baths from the 10th Century were hidden under this palace.

In Moorish Spain, these baths were important for personal hygiene but also for social life. They were declared a Spanish National Monument in 1917.

Pay these Moorish monuments a visit and you may find their magnificence transporting you to a land of Arabian Nights.

Special thanks to the Spain Tourism Board for information provided. www.tourspain.es

By Lester J Wan