In 710, the Arabs are asked to intervene in a quarrel among the Visigoths. In 711 Tarik ibn Zijad succeeds in conquering a whole area with the help of Berber troops. Within ten years only the north, Asturias, is still in the hands of the Visigoths. The Moors renamed "Andalusia" Al-Andalus.
In 756, the Arab leader Abd al-Rahman I, who claimed to be a scion of the Umayyad dynasty that had fallen six years earlier, declared himself emir of the independent emirate of Córdoba. In 785, construction of the Mezquita in Córdoba, a large mosque, began.
Abd al-Rahmān III declares the independent caliphate of Córdoba in 929. The Moors, as the Arab rulers of Andalusia are commonly called, were now at the height of their power and Córdoba became a cultural center and the largest city in Europe after Constantinople. The empire slowly declined and split into Moorish mini-states, the taifas, which ensured the final decline of the caliphate. This caliphate ended in 1031.
A TOUCH OF HISTORY AS A TASTE
From that moment on, the less powerful Christian states in the north of the Iberian Peninsula saw their chance to reconquer Moorish areas in the Reconquista. King Alfonso VI of Castile, for example, achieved an important victory at Toledo in 1085, which is seen as the starting shot of the Reconquista. It reaches Andalusia with a victory in 1212. The Almohads, a Moroccan dynasty that had taken power in Andalusia, were defeated at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa.
Córdoba is reconquered in 1236. The Moors, more specifically the Nasrid dynasty, compensate for their waning power with beautiful buildings, such as the Alhambra in Granada, whose construction began in 1238. However, Seville was reconquered in 1248 by Ferdinand III. Even the Christian civil war of Pedro I against Henry II of Trastámara does not change much.
When Castile and Aragon are united in 1479 by the marriage of the Reyes Católicos, Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, the calf is completely drowned for the Moors. In 1492, the last Moorish fortress, the Kingdom of Granada, with its capital Granada, was conquered from the Moor Boabdil. This brought an end to almost eight centuries of Moors Andalusia.
The region is known for the many artists who lived there. Both painters, poets and well-known Spanish directors. It has only breathed art for centuries.
Malaga is a real cultural city with many impressive monuments and important museums that you can visit during your holiday in Spain.
The Picasso Museum, for example, exhibits the most important work of Pablo Picasso, the famous painter who was born in Málaga and was one of the most important painters in the 19th century.
Other museums are the Centro de Arte Contemporaneo, or the museum of contemporary art, and the National Aviation and Aircraft Museum.
In addition, there are the many ancient monuments, such as the cathedral of Málaga, the Alcazaba and the Roman theater, the Gibralfaro castle, not to mention the birthplace of Pablo Ruiz Picasso.
In the center of Málaga you will find everything you want, but remember the Spanish habit of having a siesta. Shops are open until 1 pm, and then close again until 5 pm. Very strange to see closed shops everywhere during the day, but in the evening the shopping streets come alive again. Shops in Málaga remain open until 8 p.m.
The main shopping street of Málaga is Calle Marqués de Larios. It is of course really pleasant to shop in the smaller shops, where the bargains are there for the taking. Clothes in particular are very cheap here, although everyone seems to buy from the same manufacturer. There is not much variation. Málaga is known for its ceramics. Ideal when you still need a nice souvenir for the home front!
Near the airport of Malaga you have Plaza Mayor. From the outside it almost looks like a barracks, but inside you will find an authentic shopping village. Dozens of boutiques that are open until 10 p.m., restaurants to suit every taste, a bowling alley, cinema complex and even a fitness center. In addition to a large shopping center, this is also a popular place to go out. From 20:00 in the evening, the cars are queuing up to enter the parking lot, so it is best to arrive a little earlier.
Nerja is the capital of the Axarquia region in the province of Malaga and is located on the Costa del Sol in Spain. There are many nice shopping streets with all kinds of small souvenir shops, countless cafes, restaurants and tapas places, so it is always pleasantly busy. One of the most famous points in Nerja is the "Balcon de Europa", a beautiful boulevard, lined with beautiful palms and a viewpoint from where you have a magnificent view over the sea and the jagged coast. Nerja is also known for the "Cuevas de Nerja".
The Caves of Nerja
The Caves of Nerja (las cuevas de Nerja) are a historical monument, and are located just 3 kilometers from the center. The beautiful cave with its wonderfully shaped stalagmites and stalactites is definitely worth a visit. Because of the beautiful acoustics, a large dance and music festival is organized here every July.
Granada
Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada , a mountain range in the Andalusia region. It is a popular tourist destination with the southernmost ski area in Europe. In addition to sunbathing and swimming, you can also do winter sports in this region!
The city is home to one of Spain's most famous monuments, the Alhambra, a gigantic historic palace filled with remains of both Moorish and Catholic culture. Be sure to plan a visit to the old city centre. Granada is also known for its prestigious university: Universidad de Granada, and the associated nightlife.
Frigiliana
Consists of picturesque narrow, winding streets, with decorative cobbled streets. It is one of the best preserved Moorish towns in all of Andalusia and dates back to 1767. It is located on a hill (so a lot of climbing) and the small old center with its picturesque streets has been beautifully renovated. Despite the fact that the village attracts quite a few tourists, time seems to have stood still here. Every evening all the old men and the black-clad women gather in the village square to go to church together every day. Stroll through the narrow streets and look for the nice bars, restaurants and shops that this magical village has to offer...