History of Islam in Spain

By mwills1417
  • 711

    Muslim Invasion

    Muslim Invasion
    The Moors, Muslims from North Africa, invade the Iberian peninsula. They name it Al-Andalus.
  • Period: 722 to 1492

    Reconquista (Reconquest)

    From the time the Christians of Spain created their own small villages and towns in the northern realms of the peninsula they dreamed of one day reconquering and uniting Spain. This, however, took more than 7 centuries.
  • 766

    A Capital is Proclaimed

    The city of Cordoba is named the Muslim capital of Al-Andalus.
  • 800

    Arms Opened

    The Jewish population of the Iberian peninsula is welcomed into the Muslim kingdom in the south.
  • 1085

    The Fall of Toledo

    The Fall of Toledo
    After uniting three of the Christian kingdoms, León, Castile, and Galicia, King Alfonso VI reclaimed the city of Toledo for the Christians.
  • 1094

    Christians Push Farther South

    Christians Push Farther South
    Valencia falls to one of Alfonso VI's generals, Rodrigo Díaz, nicknamed El Cid. Valencia marks the farthest south city the Christians would conquer for a while. Power struggles in the north halted southern progress for some time.
  • Period: 1150 to 1200

    Unification

    Thanks to multiple marriages, alliances, and truces, the Christian regions of Catalonia, Aragon, and Castile united their powers under a unified Catholic Spain.
  • 1236

    The Capital Falls

    Cordoba was besieged for six months by Christian forces. The gates were opened to let in thousands of soldiers and mark the loss of the Muslim capital. Only Granada, in the far mountains to the south stood under Muslim control. The Muslim rulers had already fled to Granada before the siege.
  • 1238

    Living the Last Bit in Luxury

    Living the Last Bit in Luxury
    Construction on a huge, sprawling palace-fortress for the last few Muslim Kings is begun. The Alhambra would become one of the greatest known architectural wonders, defending the city and allowing the royalty to live a luxurious life in the mountain city of Granada.
  • 1469

    The End Draws Near

    The End Draws Near
    King Ferdinand of Aragon marries Queen Isabella of Castile and unites nearly all of Spain under a Catholic rule.
  • 1479

    Spanish Inquisition Begins

    Spanish Inquisition Begins
    All non-Catholic citizens of Spain are treated as enemies. Jews and Muslims alike flee the country or flee to the southern reaches to find the city of Granada, the last Muslim holdout.
  • 1492

    The Final Battle

    The Final Battle
    Granada, the final holdout of the Muslim force, was conquered by the Catholic Kings. The 700 year occupation of the Iberian peninsula drew to an end.