Where did the distinctive azulejos and the courtyards and interiors of Spanish and Portuguese houses come from? What else did the Moors leave behind on the Iberian Peninsula? Why invest in a house in Andalusia?
The Moors in Europe
The Moors were an Islamic people who inhabited the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. Their history is deeply intertwined with the history and culture of Spain, dating back to 711, when an army of Berber warriors led by Tarik began the conquest of Christian Spain. They controlled the southern part of the country until 1492, and the region they inhabited was called Al-Andalus (thus giving its name to the modern autonomous community of Andalusia). Their period of rule ended with the Reconquista, which led to the fall of Granada and the complete expulsion of the Moors from Europe.
Spain today is full of remnants of the Moors that can be seen in the local culture, architecture or cuisine. For more information, see the entry on the Moors in the blog dedicated to the attractions, culture and history of Andalusia and Spain.
