La Reconquista

La Reconquista lasted almost 800 years. It was a long process by which the Catholics conquered the Iberian Peninsula from the Muslim and Moorish of Al-Andalus. The Moors had their greatest influence in the cities of Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada. The Alhambra and Generalife we toured in Granada were breathtaking. The architectural magnificence here is overwhelming. I sat in the garden thinking of my former employer and agreeing with his opinion “This was a creative civilization.”

The cities of Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada were highly influenced by the Moors. Evidence of the transitioning between the Moors and Christian is seen in the architectural design of churches. The Christians chose not to destroy such splendid works of art. They modified buildings to reflect a church instead of a mosque. Queen Isabella I and Ferdinand II were known as the Catholic Monarchs. Queen Isabella is a woman I greatly admire. She laid the foundation for the political unification of Spain. Together they oversaw the final stages of the Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula. Granada was the last stronghold for the Moors. The same year that Spain took control of the peninsula Queen Isabela authorized the expedition of Christopher Colombus. He became the first European to reach the New World.

I am currently sitting in an internet cafe across the street from the cathedral where apparently part of Christopher Colombus´s remains are. DNA tests have been done to confirm that was him. Although there was some debate about his remains also being in Santo Domingo. The remains here in Seville were brought from Havana, Cuba in 1902.

It is intresting to think what the world would be like had the Christians not taken over the Iberian Peninsula. Those of us in San Antonio may have been influence by a different religion.