Reconquista

Cantigas battle

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Almohad1200

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Al Andalus - 2

Spain Reconquista cities

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Painting of Santiago Matamoros

Reconquista refers to the period in the history of the Iberian Peninsula, spanning approximately from 711, when the first Islamic Moors invaded the peninsula, to 1492, with the conquest of Granada. This era is characterized by the series of campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory taken by Muslims. Over the centuries, the boundary between the Muslim and Christian realms shifted southward, culminating in the fall of Granada, the last Muslim state on the peninsula, to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile.

Background

The Reconquista began after the Islamic conquest of the Visigothic Kingdom in the early 8th century. The Muslim Moors, mainly Berbers and Arabs from North Africa, crossed into Spain and overran the Visigothic kingdom, bringing most of the Iberian Peninsula under Islamic rule. Small Christian kingdoms in the north, such as the Kingdom of Asturias, became the centers of resistance and the bases from which the Christian reconquest would be launched.

Phases of the Reconquista

The Reconquista can be divided into several phases. The initial phase involved the survival and establishment of Christian strongholds in the north, such as Asturias, which is credited with beginning the Reconquista following the victory at the Battle of Covadonga.

During the High Middle Ages, the Christian kingdoms of the north began to gain more ground. The Kingdom of León, the Kingdom of Castile, the Kingdom of Aragon, and the Kingdom of Navarre expanded their territories at the expense of Muslim states, known as taifas. The Cid Campeador, a national hero of Spain, played a significant role during this period.

The late phase of the Reconquista is marked by the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition, the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, and the fall of Granada, which ended Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula and completed the Christian reconquest.

Cultural and Social Impact

The Reconquista had a profound impact on the cultures of the Iberian Peninsula. It led to the blending of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions, influencing the architecture, language, and customs of the region. The period also saw the emergence of the Spanish and Portuguese languages and the spread of Christianity.

The Reconquista also had significant social and political impacts, including the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition, which aimed to enforce Catholic orthodoxy and resulted in the persecution of Jews, Muslims, and other non-Christians. The completion of the Reconquista led to the unification of Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella, setting the stage for the Spanish Empire.

Legacy

The Reconquista has left a lasting legacy on Spanish and Portuguese national identity, as well as on the cultural and religious landscape of the Iberian Peninsula. It is remembered as a period of military conquests, religious zeal, and cultural exchange. The Reconquista has also been a subject of historical revision and debate, particularly regarding its impact on the Muslim and Jewish populations of the peninsula.