Medieval Iberian Peninsula: Almoravids, Almohads, and Christian Expansion
The Almoravids and Almohads
Almoravids: Berber nomads who established a great North African empire in the 11th century.
Almohad: They replaced the Almoravids in North Africa.
Nazari Kingdom of Granada: Survived for more than two centuries due to the diplomacy of its Muslim kings.
Artistic Legacy
During this time, Muslims built magnificent interiors, coating edifices with Almohad-style decorations, including the Giralda, rich period decor, and the Golden Tower.
The Kingdoms of Castile and Leon
The kingdoms of Castile and Leon were finally joined in 1230, with Fernando III overseeing this union after various periods of separation.
Aragon and Navarre
Aragon and Navarre were united between 1076 and 1135.
The Crown of Aragon was formed in 1137 after the marriage of Petronila of Aragon to Ramon Berenguer IV.
Navarre, after separating from Aragon, suffered pressures from Castile and Aragon. Bordering Muslims, it could not expand its territory.
The Expansion of Castile and Aragon
Castile: After taking the Strait of Gibraltar, Castile conquered territories in the Atlantic, including the archipelago of the Canary Islands.
Aragon: Through continuous Mediterranean conquests, Aragon acquired Sardinia, the duchies of Athens and Neopatria, and the Italian territory of Naples.
Gothic-Style Influences
Gothic architecture is represented by the cathedrals of Burgos and Leon.
Gothic sculpture was concentrated on the fronts of cathedrals such as Leon and Burgos.
Painting originated altarpieces and stained glass, exemplified by miniatures in Leon Cathedral.
Mudejar Features
Mudejar is an original architectural style of the Iberian Peninsula, developed between the 12th and 16th centuries. It blends Christian influences (Romanesque and Gothic churches) with Muslim bell towers.
Mudejar Art School
In the Kingdom of Leon and Castile, notable examples include churches in Zamora, Salamanca, Valladolid, Avila, Segovia, Madrid, Guadalajara, and Toledo, such as the San Lorenzo and Santirso churches.
The Aragonese style is characterized by its rich exterior decoration, the use of glazed ceramics, and bell towers based on Muslim minarets, such as the Teruel minaret.
In Andalusia, funeral chapels, churches, palaces, and synagogues were constructed, such as the Alcázar of Seville and the Cordoba Synagogue.
Political Developments
Almoravids and Almohads
In the 11th century, the Taifa kingdoms of Andalusia were unified by the Almoravids, who incorporated much of the Iberian Peninsula into their North African empire. Shortly after, the Almohad, another North African Berber group, entered the peninsula and subjected Andalusia, governing the southern half of the peninsula.
Christian Advance
The Castilian victory at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212 opened the doors of Andalusia to Christians.
Fernando III, King of Castile, conquered much of Andalusia, occupying cities such as Úbeda, Seville, Cordoba, and Jaén.
His son, Alfonso X, conquered Cadiz, Jerez, and other towns along the Cadiz coast.
Later, his son Sancho IV occupied Tarifa, which was defended by Alfonso Perez de Guzman against the Beni Amer.
Ultimate control of the Straits of Gibraltar by the Christians was achieved with Alfonso XI, who defeated the Benimerines in the Battle of Río Salado and conquered Algeciras. To Granada, he conquered Alcalá la Real and Priego.
The Nazari Kingdom of Granada was established following the collapse of Almohad power. Muhammad I, the founder, became king, controlling Granada, Malaga, and Almeria.