Question about visiting historic Islamic sites in Spain?

Question

I'm planing on making a tour of Islamic sites in Spain.

Does anybody have any ideas / personal experince of sites to see.

What should I not miss? Which towns are the best to visit?

What is the Spanish attitude towards their Moorish history?

Answer 1

The most important are the Alhambra in Granada, The Mezquita in Córdoba, the ruins of Medina Azahara outside Córdoba,  Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba in Málaga, the Alcazar and the cathedral tower called La Giralda in Seville, certain areas in the cities of Zaragoza, Toledo, Valencia, Alicante and many small towns in Andalucía such as Almuñecar, Ronda, etc.

The modern spaniard has become interested in the cultures that helped form the ancestry of the country, one of the main ones being the moorish culture...after all the moors formed part of the countrys history for about eight hundred years!

go to this site for more information:

http//www.andalucia.org

Answer 2

I would also recommend the Palcio Mondragon in  Ronda, it's  a Moorish palace and the town itself is in a spectacular location. Also, Medina Azahara a 10th century moorish palace outside Cordoba.

Answer 3

Yes, she's right, you may visit in Zaragoza also a palace called "La aljafería"... Anyway, if you go to a city and in a tourism information center you ask about Islamic influence places, they will explain all about it...

You may see also something about Muslim culture in Toledo, where during centuries lived in peace, Christians, Muslims and Jews... and in Valencia...

Answer 4

You definitely have to visit Granada (La Alhambra) and Córdob (La Mezquita). They're beautiful. There are also Moorish sites in Aragón near Zaragoza.  I'm sure there are many more but I'm not familiar with them.

Spaniards attitude towards their Moorish history? THe Moorish influence was much less in the north.  That depends on the person and the region, the architectural contributions are highly respected, but Spain is a "Catholic" or agnostic country overall, and people's attitudes vary from tolerance and/or acceptance of present day Muslims to resentment and intolerance.  After the attacks in Madrid, what would you expect?

Answer 5

Don't forget western Andalucia, especially the area around Seville.  The Cathedral in Seville is built on the site (in fact, built around) the site of the former Moorish mosque.  

Area just south, leading to Jerez, is known as the Fronteras region as this was the disputed frontier between the Muslim and Christian kingdoms; in fact the full name of the port is Jerez de la Fronteras.  The whole area is full of the white villages (pueblos blancas) which really illustrate the history of the area - Arcos de la Fronteras is a particularly good example.

Answer 6

I lived in Andalucia for 4 years. Everyone here is correct. The only thing I would add is the palace in Sevilla called El Alcazar. It's one of the most beautiful examples of Moorish architecture and gardens in Spain, along with La Alhambra in Granada. (Did you know that La Alhambra is currently a contender for one of the new 7 Wonders of the World?)

Moorish influence doesn't extend very far north at all, so try to fly into Sevilla if you can. I wouldn't waste any time in Madrid--lived there for 3 years also. If you do end up having to fly into there, though, just take the Ave (the high-speed train) to Sevilla. Have a great time!