Spain is a culturally diverse European country located in the southwest and occupies around 85 % of the Iberian Peninsula shared by other small countries like Portugal. Different cultures have built up Spain like Catalonians, Castilians, Galicians, Basques, Lusitanians, Arabs, and the Jews. Islamic Spain had mixed multicultural people of the three greatest monotheistic religions, the Christians, Jews, and the Muslims. In the Muslim era, all three religions managed to live and get along together, although Christians and Jews lived under restrictions.
Islamic history of Spain started in 711 AD when they invaded the Iberian Peninsula and conquered it seven years later. The Umayyad caliphate of Cordovan tenth century became one of the greatest Muslim civilizations until its decline which ended in 1942 when it was conquered by Granada. The main heart of Muslim rule was Andalusia or southern Spain. The Muslim succession of Spain was in different periods from 711 to 1492. The notable Islamic cities of Spain to visit are Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Toledo, and Madrid. Cordoba served as the center for many centuries and Granada witnessed the fall of Muslim rule.
6 Must Visit Places in Spain for Muslim Travelers
If you plan your next visit to Spain, below are some of the must-visit places for Muslim Travelers:
1. The Great Mosque of Cordoba (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)
Cordoba Mosque also locally known as Mezquita-Cathederal is among the oldest structures from the Muslim rulers of Al-Andus from the 8th Century. It is around 2 2-hour train from Madrid which Muslim travelers around the world wish to visit. The great mosque of Cordoba has been on the list of world heritage sites since 1984 and is a significant monument in the Western Muslim world. The Omeyaran style of Spain is reflected in different sections of the mosque, including the Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles.
The mosque of Cordoba was used as a place of worship for different religions from ancient times. As the population of Muslims increased, the ruler Abderraman acquired the whole site to demolish the Basilica to make the main mosque in the city. Some original parts of the Vis Gothic Basilica can be seen in the main section of the mosque.
The mosque has two main areas: the sahn (courtyard) where the minaret stands and the prayer hall. The mosque has columns with a red and white arches color scheme. Currently, there are five separate extensions of the mosque.
Address: C. Cardenal Herrero, 1, Centro, 14003 Córdoba, Spain
Phone: +34 957 47 05 12
Ticket Booking: Link
2. Alhambra Palace-Fortress Complex in Granada
Alhambra the name origins from Arabic which means “red castle” is a Palace located in Granada on a hilly rock that has difficult access. It’s on the banks of River Darro and surrounded by mountains and forests among the oldest districts of the city. Designed as a military zone in the beginning, it had become the royal residence of the Narsid Kingdom constructed by King Mohammad ibn Yusuf Nasr also known as Alhamar. With reddish tone walls, it was established in the 13th Century.
Address: C/ SAN ANTON, 72, Ed. Real Center, 1º Izquierda - LOCAL 39. 18005 Granada, Spain
Phone: +34 958 918 029
3. Madinat Al-Zahra, Cordoba
The city of Madinat Al-Zahra situated a few miles west of the Cordoba is considered a significant site for Muslim travelers. The site is still undergoing excavations, and experts have found many large fragments from the remains of the city, these findings are now presented for the visitors in a museum. The significance of the city is its three terraced platforms, among the three platforms the uppermost terrace contained buildings that were used for Government administration and Royal Ceremony purposes. While the middle terrace was surrounded by gardens and pools. The lowermost terrace had mosques, markets, and residential quarters for the military and merchants.
Address: Ctra. Palma del Río, km 5, 5, 14005 Córdoba, Spain
Opening Hours: Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 - 20:30
Sunday: 10:00 - 14:00
Entry Fee: Applicable
Phone: +34 957 10 49 33
4. Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo
Toledo’s Cathedral is among the top 10 cathedrals in Spain. It has Gothic architecture and a classic interior with rose windows and pointed arches. The Cathedral is works by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. The reason the cathedral is a center of attraction for Muslims is that it has always been a center for worship. During the Muslim rule of Spain, it had the Toledeos central mosque which later was converted into a church in 1085. It was demolished after almost 140 years.
Address: Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Phone: +34 925 22 22 41
Entry Fee: Applicable
5. Royal Alcazar of Seville
The Royal Alcazar of Seville is one of the UNESCO-registered World Heritage sites adjacent to the General Archive of Indies and the Seville Cathedral. It’s one of the historic palaces of Spain and a former site from Spain’s Islamic era. The construction started in the 10th century and developed into a larger palace complex under the rule of the Abbadid dynasty. In Muslim rule, the authorities made a fortress in a strategic location for the protection of the city. The palace was designed and built in different historical periods, reflected through its architecture, as it has a touch of Islamic, Baroque, Roman, and Renaissance elements.
Address: Patio de Banderas, s/n, Casco Antiguo, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Opening Hours: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Phone: +34 954 50 23 24
6. The Minaret of Seville’s Great Mosque — La Giralda, Seville
The Seville Cathedral Minaert was built around 1184 to 1198 and is one of the minarets of the Almohad mosque. The Seville Cathedral Tower is one of the oldest buildings in the Seville built 800 years ago. Seville was named the capital during the Almohad rule. King Ferdinand captured Seville which later became the Bell Tower, a magnificent cathedral we see today.
Address: Av. de la Constitución, s/n, Casco Antiguo, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Opening Hours: 10:45 am–5 pm
Phone: +34 902 09 96 92
