The Alhambra In Granada, Andalucia - Exploration Of The Moorish Architectural Heritage In Spain

Andalucia, the southernmost province of Spain, has("Alcazaba"), the Nasrid Palaces ("Palacio
one of the most changeful pasts in European MainlandÁrabe", "Palacio Nazaries" or "Casa Real"), the
history. The strategic importance of the Strait ofGardens of the Generalife ("Palacio de Generalife")
Gibraltar as bridge between Africa and Europa hasand the Court of the Lions ("Patio de los Leones") with
always Andalucia been a key passage point for thetheir Mudéjar and Mozarabicstyle are true
most different ethnic groups,especially during the periodmasterpieces of Moorish architecural art and always
of the Barbarian Invasions between 300 AD and 700worth visiting for the historically interested traveller. The
AD. All settlersand invaders left their cultural andAlhambra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage
architectural imprints on the region, thereby making it asite in 1984.
meltingpot of various cultural influences. FlamencoAnother spectacular piece of Moorish architecture is
music, which presumably developed out of Indian,the "Mezquita" (derived from Arab "masjid" (mosque))
Greek, Christian, Mozarabic and Moorish influences inin Córdoba, the former Aljama Mosque. It was
the so-called "Flamenco triangle" formedby Seville,built on the ruins of the Saint Vicente Visigothic
Jeréz de la Frontera and Cádiz fromChristian basilica ("Basílica Visigótica de
the 14 century onward, is the most noteworthySan Vicente") between the 8th century and the
example resulting from this exotic and fascinating,10th century under the Emirate and Caliphate of
century-long culture mixture.Córdoba in Umayyad style. After the conquest
Over the course of the centuries Andalucia has seenof Córdoba by the Catholic kings of Spain in
many conquerers and traders come and go, including1236 the Mezquita it was reconsecrated as Cathedral
the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals andof Córdoba ("Catedrál de la Mezquita
Visigoths. The 7th century marksthe beginning of ade Córdoba") and serves as a Roman-Catholic
500 years long Moorish domination. During the Middlecathedral untiltoday.
Ages Andalucia enjoyeda time of cultural andAn amazing Moorish construction is the "Giralda"
economical prosperity. Arts and sciences such as(weathervane)) in Seville with its Almohad style,an
astronomy, medicine, philosophy and mathematicsancient minaret from the city´s Almohad
were florishing under Moorish rule. Between the 7thMosque built between 1184 and 1198. In 1248 Sevillefell
century and theinto the hands of the Catholic kings of Spain during the
12th century Andalucia experienced one of the longestChristian Reconquista. A Roman-Catholic cathedral, the
periods of religous and political tolerance betweenCathedral of Seville ("Catedrál de Sevilla" or
Christians, Muslims and Jews in European Mainland"Catedrál de Santa María de la Sede"),
history. This climate of mutual tole-rance and respectwas built from 1401 to 1519 on the former site of the
and the relative religious and cultural freedommosque and the Giralda was converted intoa bell
promoted the cultural exchange between all ethnictower. The Cathedral of Seville with its Gothic,
groups. The century-long Moorish domination and theBaroque, Moorish and Renessaince style and
period of cultural prospe-rity were considerablybreathtaking examples of Gothic woodcarving houses
weakened with the fall of Seville in 1248 and collapseda large collection of religious sculptures,jewelry items
completely whenthe last remaining Islamic stronghold,and paintings and the supposed tomb of Christopher
Granada, was reconquered by the Catholic kings ofColumbus. It is the largest
Spainin 1492 during the Christian Reconquista.Medieval Gothic cathedral anywhere in the world and
The Umayyad invasion of Andalucia in the 7th centuryis a must for every lover of Medieval Gothic church
gave rise to a very strong, century-long in-fluence ofarchitecture.
Moorish architecture in Andalusian construction style. ItsA further fascinating historical sight is the
most notable examples can be found in Granada,Alcázar of Seville ("Alcázares Reales
Córdoba and Seville.de Sevilla") with the "Patio de las Doncellas" (The
An impressive historical monument is the "Alhambra"Courtyard of the Maidens), a palace of the Catholic
(derived from Arab "al-hamra" (the red castle)) inkings of Spain with its Mudéjar, Mozarabic,
Granada, a Moorish mosque, palace and fortressGothic and Renaissance style. The Alcázar
complex located at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada(derived from Arab "al-qasr" ("palace)) was built
Mountains. Its construction already began in the 8thbetween the 12th century to the 17th century on the
century and it was considerably expan-ded during thesite of the former Almohad palace "Al-Muwarak" (the
Nasrid Dynasty in the 12th century. The fortressblessed).