AlAndalús

Al-Andalus was the Muslim-ruled territory on the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing most of modern Spain and Portugal, from 711 to 1492. Its history is marked by periods of Islamic rule, religious tolerance, and significant cultural and intellectual achievements. Following the Umayyad conquest in the early 8th century, Al-Andalus became a center of learning and artistic innovation, attracting scholars and artisans from across the Islamic world and beyond. Cities like Cordoba, Seville, and Granada flourished, boasting impressive architecture, advanced libraries, and vibrant markets. The period saw a complex interplay of Muslim rulers, Christian kingdoms, and Jewish communities, with varying degrees of coexistence and conflict. Key dynasties that shaped Al-Andalus include the Umayyads of Cordoba, who established an independent caliphate, and later the Almoravids and Almohads, who brought stricter Islamic governance. The Reconquista, a centuries-long process by which Christian kingdoms gradually retook control of the peninsula, culminated in the fall of Granada in 1492, marking the end of Muslim rule. The legacy of Al-Andalus is evident in the art, architecture, language, and scientific advancements that continue to influence Spanish and Portuguese culture today.

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