Medina developed in the Emirate period, it declared its independence from Cordoba in the twelfth century, with a second important development in the Almohad period. Of this one stands out its icon, the giralda, a minaret related to that of the Qutubiya mosque in Marrakech, and the unfinished one of Hassan II in Rabat.
Located in the Lisbon region, the town of Sesimbra is appreciated today for its attractive beaches. It also exhibits a significant Islamic imprint in its architectural heritage derived from the Arab conquest of the peninsula in the 8th century. The most outstanding vestige of this period is the Castle of Sesimbra, also known as Castelo dos Mouros, rebuilt centuries later after the Christian conquest.
Important medina in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, which retains an Andalusian urban layout surrounded by walls. The castle has a recently excavated Andalusian courtyard and a collection of stucco decorative panels. In Onda was born the famous Ibn Al Abbar, poet, historian and polymath, who signed the capitulations of Valencia.
Founded by Abderramán II in 825 on Roman remains, Murcia was the capital of the Cora of Tudmir and a strategic enclave of the Taifa kingdoms until the Christian conquest in 1243. Its Islamic footprint can be seen in the Alcazar Menor, as well as in the oratory and the royal pantheon of the Alcazar Mayor, which dates back to the 12th century. There are also preserved parts of the Arab wall. Recent findings have identified part of the Arrixaca suburb, in the old Andalusian neighborhood of San Esteban.
During its period as the capital of Abd al Rahman II, Jaén was endowed with numerous infrastructures, including the walled enclosure and the castle, the Andalusian baths, in an excellent state of preservation. The olive heritage of Jaén should not be forgotten, nor should we forget to get some bottles of olive oil for tasting.
Grandiose capital of the Nasrid kingdom, in its heart is the Albayzin medina, in front of which rises the palatine city of the Alhambra. Baths, bridges, doors, every corner of Granada takes us back to its glorious moment. Not to be missed are the local handicrafts and the Alhambra bookshop, with all kinds of articles inspired by the decorations of the Nasrid palaces.
This Portuguese city, located in the Algarve region, in southern Portugal, has an interesting cultural legacy of Andalusian origin. In fact, it remained under Islamic rule between 713 and 1249, until its conquest by Sancho II. The Muslims introduced important advances in the field of agriculture, mainly irrigation canals, and left their mark on the toponymy. Although many vestiges of Islamic origin have been lost, the old city maintains its urban fabric of Andalusian origin. The Arab Gate of the old medieval wall is the most remarkable Islamic element that remains.
In Elche we discovered the largest palm grove in Europe, developed in the Andalusian period, which even today continues to produce exquisite dates. In its medina, important nucleus of the Cora of Tudmir, you can visit the recovered baths, supplied by a channel that Al Idrisi mentions, for the water supply of the population.
The Huelva town of Cortegana maintains a remarkable architectural legacy linked to the Islamic presence in the peninsular Middle Ages. In the Church of the Divine Savior, for example, there is an evident Mudejar influence, an example of the cultural symbiosis between Muslims and Christians. It is not the only Mudejar footprint in Cortegana. Numerous buildings in the municipality offer visible characteristics of Islamic origin, such as the use of brick and other decorative elements.
