Medieval and Renaissance Iberia
Map of Iberian Peninsula, 1492
Much of what we know of as Europe, the current boundaries and countries, looked very different during the Middle ages and the Renaissance. One of the more dramatic and complex transformations from Middle Age to Modern Times happened on the Iberian peninsula.
Up until the 1400s what we know now as Spain and Portugal were made up of many smaller kingdoms. Those regions today still have very distinctive characteristics, and even different dialects. On the map you can see Portugal, Galicia, Leon, Castillle, Valencia, Navarre, Aragon, Catalonia, Andalusia and Granada. Any of which sometimes were and sometimes were not under their own rule.
Besides the many Christian kingdoms, the southern part of the peninsula was under Muslim rule from 711 until 1492. Much of the beautiful architecture, musical heritage, and even parts of the Spanish language can be attributed to their influence. Their kingdom was called Al Andaluz, which became Andalusia after the Spanish retook the land. While in Iberia the Arab culture reached a height compared only to Persia in greatness. Unfortunately, much of their culture was lost when the Catholic Kings forced all of the Moors and Jews to convert to Catholicism or leave Spain.
Up until the 1400s what we know now as Spain and Portugal were made up of many smaller kingdoms. Those regions today still have very distinctive characteristics, and even different dialects. On the map you can see Portugal, Galicia, Leon, Castillle, Valencia, Navarre, Aragon, Catalonia, Andalusia and Granada. Any of which sometimes were and sometimes were not under their own rule.
Besides the many Christian kingdoms, the southern part of the peninsula was under Muslim rule from 711 until 1492. Much of the beautiful architecture, musical heritage, and even parts of the Spanish language can be attributed to their influence. Their kingdom was called Al Andaluz, which became Andalusia after the Spanish retook the land. While in Iberia the Arab culture reached a height compared only to Persia in greatness. Unfortunately, much of their culture was lost when the Catholic Kings forced all of the Moors and Jews to convert to Catholicism or leave Spain.