Page 9 - Untitled-1.indd

Right: Found in the Grazalema Mountains, Algodonales is known for its Roman archaeological sites. It does not have a strong Moorish influence compared to its neighbouring villages.
Left: Zahara village sits high on a cliff below a castle stronghold. The ancient Moorish village and the double wall that surrounded the village during the Middle Ages can still be seen here.
es Of Spain
On the southern side of this gentle mountain range is a region known as An- dalucia. Beyond that is the sea and Af- rica, about 20km away across the Straits of Gibraltar. Andalucia is derived from the Arabic name, al-Andalus, bestowed by Mus- lim invaders in the early 8th century, Arab and later Berber immigrants from northern Africa who ruled large parts of Spain for nearly 800 years. Known as Moors by the Christians, the invaders’ most profound influence was always in this region. An- dulucia was where they arrived in Spain and from where they finally departed, leav- ing behind an indelible impression that is unique in Europe.
Among the obvious jewels of their legacy are the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Alhambra Palace at Granada and the giant Mezquita (originally a mosque, now
a cathedral) in Cordoba. But the Moors also had a profound influence on common architecture and daily customs.
As Southern Spain can get very hot at the height of summer, with temperatures soaring to 45oC or more in late July, the Moors made extensive use of building methods they had perfected in their own homelands to help escape the strength of the unrelenting sun. They introduced shady patios, where the walls were decorated with colourful tiles and flowers, and painted their houses bright white with a limestone wash to reflect the rays.
Even after the last emir was finally ousted in 1492 – the same year that Christopher Colombus laid the foundations for the colonising zeal of the Europeans when he discovered and claimed the Americas for the Spanish – the Moorish influence continued.
ENDLESS VACATION 7
g