Al-Andalus

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF ISLAM IN SPAIN

When one thinks of Spain, the first images that come to mind are of flamenco dancers and music, the Alhambra in Granada and the Great Mosque of Córdoba.

These are the images most associated with Spain and all three come from Arabic influence in the Iberian Peninsula. These contributions survive in Spain today, and give that exotic touch that attracts so many people from all over the world.

The Muslims were the most important influence in Spain after the Romans. While the rest of Europe entered the middle ages and progression came to a halt mainly due to the religious zeal of the era, Muslim Spain flourished with refined cultural, modern science and technology.

In the year 711 Muslims entered the Iberian Peninsula and called the territory Al – Andalus. Muslim rule ended in 1492, during the reign of the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.

Moors playing chess

ARABIC CONTRIBUTION STILL THRIVING NOWADAYS

• Arabic numbers
• Vocabulary words currently used in the Spanish language like names of plants and agricultural products: artichoke (alcachofa), alfalfa (alfalfa), cotton (algodón), sugar (azúcar), carrot (zanahoria).
• Scientific words: alcohol, algebra, alchemy, zero, number (cifra), syrup (jarabe).
• Others words such as: blue (azul), scarlet (escarlata), alcove (alcoba), chess (ajedrez), pillow (almohada), adobe (adobe), carpet (alfombra), Mayor (alcalde), customs (aduana), neighborhood (barrio) and hopefully ojalá (Insha’Alla)

Arabic calligraphy in the Alhambra

ARCHITECTURE AND MORE

The Caliphs (Moorish Kings) were generous in supporting art and wisdom.

They believed that when you learned something, or created something beautiful, that it was an act of glorifying Allah. Some of these prime architectural examples are the Alhambra in Granada, the Alcázar of Seville, and the Great Mosque of Córdoba.

In the spirit of the Caliphs and their philosophy regarding beauty and wisdom, this journey along the Islamic trail will highlight some of the most beautiful architecture in the world. You will come away wiser having experienced firsthand the great impact that the Muslim culture produced in Spain as well as the rest of Europe.

Córdoba