The Moors from North Africa invaded parts of Spain from 711 AD until the fall of Granada in 1492. With them, they brought along their Islamic religion and culture and ruled Spain for over 700 years. The Moorish influence remains evidently profound in many cities of Spain. Among them, we would like to highlight a few sites that holds great importance to Islamic heritage. The Alhambra, Granada The Alhambra, is derived from the Arabic al-Qalʻat al-Ḥamrā (meaning the Red Castle) in Arabic is a palace and fortress located in Granada Spain. It was originally constructed as a small fortress in AD 889 on the remains of Roman fortifications, and rebuilt in the mid-13th century by Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar, aka Mohammed I of Granada, who built its current palace and walls. It was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada. After the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella and the palaces were partially altered in the Renaissance style. Its architecture and interiors are imprinted with beautiful Arabic scripts and poems. The building is like a book of wisdom constantly communicating to every visitor who wishes to be enlightened. This 8th century old site has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. To find out about the scripts of Alhambra, have a read of our postings on ´Reading Alhambra´ The Great Mosque of Córdoba The Great Mosque of Córdoba was built in 784 by Abd al-Rahman I, the Cordoba caliphate at the time. The mosque continued its expansion over the years by the caliphs. It held a place of importance amongst the Islamic community of al-Andalus for over three centuries. In Córdoba, the capital, the Mosque was seen as the heart and central focus of the
The Moors from North Africa invaded parts of Spain from 711 AD until the fall of Granada in 1492. With them, they brought along their Islamic religion and culture and ruled Spain for over 700 years. The Moorish influence remains evidently profound in many cities of Spain. Among them, we would like to highlight a
Islamic Heritage of Andalusia, Spain What to see in Zaragoza Aljaferia Palace - Mudejar Architecture of Aragon Find a great sample of Taifa Art in this fortified medieval palace built on the 11th century, during the intermediate time of independent kingdoms previous to the arrival of the Almoravides. The Mudejar remains of the palace are declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The oldest construction of the Aljafería is the Troubadour Tower, a defensive structure which date back to the end of the 9th century, in the period governed by the first Banu Tujibi, Muhammad Alanqur, who was named after Muhammad I of Cordoba, independent Emir of Cordoba. The ornamentation of the Aljaferia, use of mixtilinear arcs and of the springers in "S", the extension of the arabesque in large surfaces or the outlining and progressive abstraction of the yeseria of vegetal character, influenced the Almoravid art and Almohad art. Halal Restaurant in Zaragoza During your visit to Zaragoza you may like to find a Halal Restaurant. Samiramis You may also like check our videos
Islamic Heritage of Andalusia, Spain What to see in Zaragoza Aljaferia Palace – Mudejar Architecture of Aragon Find a great sample of Taifa Art in this fortified medieval palace built on the 11th century, during the intermediate time of independent kingdoms previous to the arrival of the Almoravides. The Mudejar remains of the palace are declared World Heritage
