Travel & Culture> Magic of the Moors

Image: La Giralda de Sevilla

Image by: Cayetano

Text by: Tanya Munshi
When you visit Spain, you will find an indelible mark of the Moors, right from well planned cities, architecture, food (especially the lamb stew), gardens, walkways and squares all over the cities.

The Moors had spent a lot of effort in planning the city; mainly irrigation that kept the vineyards, gardens and orchards alive. You can still see the horticultural expanse in the Patio de los Naranjos or the Court of Oranges, in the city and at Medina Azarhara.

There was an amazing amalgamation of Spain’s Muslim and Christian cultures. Beginning from the 9th century, within a short span of time there evolved an ever so elegant form of architecture. Even now you will find pavilions with Gothic and Arabic inscriptions.

The Great Mosque: The ‘La Mezquita’ or the Great Mosque in Cordoba was known to be the largest mosque in the world, after the Kaaba in Mecca. It has now been converted into a cathedral after the Christian Reconquest in 1236. After all these years, it has stilled regained its grandeur with the Baroque style of architecture.

La Giralda: Seville too has the reminiscence of the Moorish architecture, especially the La Giralda. A 92 meters or 320 feet high minaret that was built around 50 years before the Christian Reconquest, is now used as a tower for the cathedral.

Gate of Justice: One of the finest Islamic architectures in Granada, is the baronial Gate of Justice. The entrance is surrounded by thick woods that were planted by the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular Wars.

Royal Palace: Or the Casa Real in Granada is built entirely on wood and stucco, adorned with fine and intricate designs, patterns and calligraphic inscriptions from the Holy Koran. This architecture is a perfect example of symmetry, order and principal themes of fountains and pools that offered a perfect respite from the heat and dust.

Albaicin: A settlement found in Granada, Albaicin was set up by the Moors who were driven from Baeza in the 1200s. Their signature styles of horseshoe arches are still present on the city gates and the western wall of the old Moorish bastion.