riconquisto

Riconquista is the Italian noun meaning the act of regaining possession of something lost, especially territory or political power. In historical contexts it most often refers to the Reconquista, the centuries-long process by which Christian kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsula retook lands from Muslim rule, culminating in the capture of Granada in 1492. In standard Italian, the form riconquista is preferred; riconquisto is a less common or widely considered incorrect variant that may appear in non-Italian texts or due to spelling errors.

Etymology and usage: The word is built from the prefix ri- meaning again, attached to conquista (conquest). Conquista itself derives from Romance-language roots related to Latin conquestus, with parallels in other Romance languages such as Spanish conquista and French conquête. The term riconquista is used both in precise historical discussions of the Iberian period and in broader contexts to describe any return to control of territory, influence, or status after a loss.

Historical context: The Iberian Reconquista spanned roughly from the early 8th century through the 15th, as Christian kingdoms gradually expanded southward, repopulated liberated areas, and reestablished political structures. It produced significant cultural, religious, and demographic changes that shaped the later history of Spain and Portugal and influenced relations across the Mediterranean.

Contemporary usage: Beyond history, riconquista can be employed metaphorically in politics, economics, or international relations to denote the retaking of markets, influence, or legitimacy after a setback. The term emphasizes a deliberate, often protracted process of restoration rather than a single event.

See also: Reconquista; Conquista; Riconquista (Italian term variants).