Andalucia is not simply a package holiday destination that was put on the map by the sun seekers of Europe’s colder climes. Look beyond the sun soaked beaches of the Costa del Sol and you will find that Andalucia has been defined by its Moorish legacy that dates back to the 8th century when a mixed force of Arabs, Syrians, Berbers and Egyptians (the “Moors”) came from North Africa to take over the Mediterranean coast and advance into western Europe.

The term Moors derives from the Roman word to describe the inhabitants of Mauritania and subsequently became the term that covered Muslims in general.

Their legacy is still very rich today with their skills and craftsmanship being evident throughout Andalucia not least in the great buildings such as the Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita in Cordoba and the Giralda Tower in Sevilla. Even today the influence of the Moors is still very strong in the more simple Andalucian towns such as Alora where the patios of the homes are richly decorated with ceramic tiles.

The Moors coming to Andalucia from the barren deserts of North Africa and beyond were quick to make use of the more plentiful water supplies to be found in their adopted land.

Developing sophisticated irrigation techniques the lands were transformed into lush oases with the palaces and simpler gardens lavished upon with the symmetry of exotic plants and the enchanting music and glitter of pools and fountains. In the countryside sprang the olive, orange, and lemon groves, almond and fig trees that today dominate the worlds food markets.

When the Moor’s advance through Spain and mid France had retreated back they nevertheless made Andalucia their own. For many centuries fierce rivalry existed between competing Muslim Dynasties that also had to contend with the threat of further invasions from fellow Muslims of North Africa and the Christian Spanish who also fought over Andalucia’s towns and estates.

Despite this the Moors were able to create a Golden Age for Andalucia making Cordoba its capital and for 200 years enriched it with the proceeds of trading silver, perfumes, leather, silk and spices.

By the 11th century this Golden Age waned causing Andalucia to fragment into smaller regions called taifas which were gradually taken into Christian hands – Ronda in 1485 with Malaga following shortly after and the last of the taifas – Granada by the end of the 15th century. The skills and artistic talents of the Moors fused with the Christians to create magnificent Renaissance buildings and baroque churches.

Still today though Andalucia’s Moorish past captivates and enthrals the traveller.

Despite the disappearance of the Moor’s stronghold on Andalucia its magic has been retained. Andalucia as the most Southerly land mass of Europe; is the gateway to Africa and this has made it a focus throughout the later centuries for romantics, writers and poets. Andalucia is the land that can hold the imagination of those that seek to broaden their experience of travel.

Still very much Europe but rich in a unique history, culture and passion Andalucia has been home to travel writers as far back as 1845 when Richard Ford published his book entitled ‘Handbook for Travellers in Spain and Readers at Home’. Such was the publications importance it lead to a flood of travellers that sought to follow his footsteps through Andalucia. With them came their quest for adventure and the need to bring back to their more staid northerly homes ever more fantastic tales of their travels.

Tales of bandits living in the Sierra Morena, the Alpujarra and the Sierra de Ronda has some basis in truth as 19th century records show that there has been one foreign visitor kidnapped by bandits – but this was in the neighbouring province of La Mancha and only one!

The Danish writer Hans Christian Anderson expressed disappointment with his travels through the hills of the Sierra Morena because he completed his journey without being challenged by any bandits.

Perhaps this then was what inspired the French novelist Alexandre Dumas to be more creative in ensuring his excitement was fulfilled as it is said that he sent money to an Andalucian bandit chief requesting they held up his party as they crossed the wild country the bandits roamed. Of course before they set out on their travels Dumas made sure that the chief gave a promise not to harm any of the party.

Sevilla’s 19th Century tobacco factory is famous for being a setting for the worlds most popular opera – George Bizet’s Carmen.

Although, the conditions of the factory were appalling where Sevilla’s summer temperatures can easily reach the high 40s and George Dennis had commented in his book ‘A Summer in Andalucia’ – “I never beheld such an assemblage of ugliness”, Bizet found himself writing about a beautiful factory girl wining the heart of the soldier Don Juan. The tragedy of this unfolds as the gypsy Carmen soon renounces her love for him considering the bullfighter Escamillo to be more worthy of her attentions. Don Juan not in the least happy with her betrayal kills Carmen outside the bull ring where Escamillo is being cheered on by the crowd as he wins the corrida (bullfight).

The legend of Don Juan was subsequently adapted by Mozart in his opera Don Giovanni yet neither Mozart nor Bizet had been to Andalucia and Bizet not even to Spain!

Today’s more blinkered traveller to Andalucia may only be in search of the sun and the popular beaches of the Costa Del Sol but to those that are looking for far more from their travels Andalucia offers it in abundance.

Author: Phillip Andalucia
Source: articledashboard.com

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