Islamic Spain

711AD-1492

In the year 711, The Moors came in from the costal part of Africa and took control on the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The Moorish people were devoted to their Islamic faith and with their militaristic spirit, began to spread the religion throughout the Peninsula. The Moors would also be known as the Al-Andalus and would be the name given to this region during their control.

At their height, they would control 90% of the Peninsula. These people were also very tolerant, of the Jews and Christians in their territory, desiring to live in harmony.

The Moorish people were allowed to marry the native people of the Iberian Peninsula, creating large extended families.

Moorish Spain was also the center of intellectual life. The rest of Europe was in the dark ages, Spain was flourishing in the arts, culture, music and philosophy. While the Moorish people in Spain thrived, the rest of Europe looked down on these people. They were of darker skin color, thus received differently by people such as the French.

Inside of the Alhambra - showing Moorish architecture and design.

Photo Credit - Grace Pence - July 2018

Moorish Influence in Spain today:

Map of the Moorish Kingdom in 756 A.D.

Citations

WIARDA, HOWARD J. "Medieval Iberia: The Distinct Tradition." In The Soul of Latin America: The Cultural and Political Tradition, 50-75. Yale University Press, 2001. Accessed May 3, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt32bw7w.6.

Islamic Spain and the Reconquista. Historical Atlas of the Mediterranean. Accessed May 3, 2020. http://explorethemed.com/Reconquista.asp.

In the beginning of their conquest the Moorish people conquered the areas of Cordoba all the way up to Granada. Their influence can be seen in the Mosque of Cordoba that still stands today, along with the Alhambra in Granada which served as housing for influential Moorish leaders.

Their influence grew beyond architecture with art, cooking houses and languages. Moorish intricate design can be seen in gold and silver works, porcelain and ceramics.

The traces of Moorish influence in food can be seen in almonds,pomegranates and eggs.

The whitewashed towns along the south of Spain are a reflection of Moorish influence. Finally words with the beginning of al came from the Moorish people such as the Alhambra.