{"id":8115,"date":"2021-01-24T12:03:39","date_gmt":"2021-01-24T12:03:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.malagaweb.com\/blog\/?p=8115"},"modified":"2022-05-03T08:44:15","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T08:44:15","slug":"malaga-al-andalus-monuments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.malagaweb.com\/blog\/museums\/malaga-al-andalus-monuments\/","title":{"rendered":"Muslim heritage of Malaga: Al-Andalus, monuments and routes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many civilisations have been in Malaga leaving part of their culture and monuments; We have already seen how the Phoenicians were involved in the origin of Malaga; later how the Romans settled and brought with them a boom in the economy.<\/p>\n

The Arabs managed to occupy Andalusia for a long period, specifically from 711 to 1492. A land that was not going through its best period since the fall of the Roman Empire.<\/p>\n

During the Arabic period, some cities such as Malaga, Seville, Granada and Almeria experienced significant economic growth.<\/p>\n

[…] a historical moment that would make our territory to follow a totally different path from the rest of Europe […]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

History of the Conquest: The capture of Malaga<\/h2>\n

The so-called Toma de M\u00e1laga took place at the beginning of the 8th century. Historians do not agree whether it was during 711 or 713; in any case the Muslim army managed to take control of the city from the Visigoths, an empire that was in decline.<\/p>\n

The invading army was made up of disgruntled Jews, Berbers, slaves and Visigoths who had decided to change sides.<\/p>\n

After the quick entry of the Muslims into the peninsula, part of the former inhabitants of the city took refuge in the Malaga Mountains; although eventually the population adapted to the change. This would be a historic moment that would bring a growth totally different from the rest of Europe and which has managed to influence our culture, streets and villages up to the present day.<\/p>\n

During the 9th century Malaga was considered one of the best cities in all of Al-Andalus, according to chroniclers and travellers of the time.<\/p>\n

You can read more about the Toma de M\u00e1laga in Spanish at the following link: http:\/\/www.gibralfaro.uma.es\/historia\/pag_1595.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

Muslim monuments<\/h2>\n

The 8 long centuries of Muslim presence left us an important cultural legacy. From food dishes with clear Arab influences, to the layout of the streets, villages and important monuments that can be visited, to somehow revive that past from which our land borrows.<\/p>\n

There are so many monuments that it is impossible to list them all, so I will try to offer the reader a good selection that I will expand on over time.<\/p>\n

Omar ibn Hafsun and the Bobastro remains<\/h3>\n

This famous historical figure was an Andalusian guerrilla, born in Parauta in the year 850 (Malaga<\/a>) and of Spanish-Gothic origin. His origin comes from the ancient Gothic aristocracy who ended up converting to Islam.<\/p>\n

His story begins with the murder of the man who stole his grandfather’s cattle, after which he had to hide in the Gaitanes Gorge<\/a>; exactly in what today are the ruins of a castle carved into the ground, the Bobastro<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Bobastro<\/a>
Current remains of the Bobastro, an unfinished work which witness many ancient battles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From then on, he dedicated his life to robbery until he was captured by the then governor of Malaga, who, unaware of his actions, only whipped him. He managed to escape to North Africa, only to return in 880, taking advantage of the chaos that ruled at the time.<\/p>\n

From the Bobastro, he began to form a rebel group against the Muslim aristocracy. It achieved numerous victories and came to dominate the provinces of Malaga and Granada<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Omar ibn Hafsun eventually converted to Christianity. He used to present himself as a Gothic descendant and ended up creating a church on the ruins of the Bobastro; this would take its toll on him and reduce supporters in the rebellion. The battles were constant until his death in 918, after which his children would succeed him.<\/p>\n

His final defeat came in 929. His body was eventually crucified along with two of his sons in the Bobastro place.<\/p>\n

More historical information on Wikipedia: https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Umar_ibn_Hafsun<\/a><\/p>\n

You can read more about the Bobastro Church and other monuments excavated in rock<\/a> in another article.<\/p>\n

Alcazaba of Malaga, a muslim fortress<\/h3>\n
\"Alcazaba<\/a>
Main entrance to Alcazaba<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This important architectural work located on Mount Gibralfaro, is an Islamic fortification with easy access from the city centre. It was built on the Phoenician remains of an ancient fortification.<\/p>\n

Of this construction on the hill, the beauty of its gardens and buildings stands out, a special mention for the views of Malaga that can be had from it. This fortress was used throughout the centuries by the high nobility as a place of refuge or palatial residence.<\/p>\n

This fortification was never defeated, but its inhabitants finally succumbed to hunger and thirst after a long siege. It remained in good condition until the middle of the 17th century, but successive wars and earthquakes eventually damaged it.<\/p>\n

Nowadays it is in perfect condition and is one of the recommended visits in Malaga.<\/p>\n

As a curiosity, the interior of the building housed a lower class neighbourhood at the beginning of the 20th century, which has left us with the occasional mystery story about M\u00e1laga<\/a> by its former neighbours.<\/em><\/p>\n

Find out more about the Alcazaba of Malaga<\/a> on our website or find out how to get there on the following map: https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/rDQxKZy1UABunTCT7<\/a><\/p>\n

Muslim monuments in Ronda<\/h3>\n

Ronda was an important site in the defense of the kingdom against Christian attacks, so we will find many monuments that have managed to survive the test of time. Would you like to know them?<\/p>\n

Arab Baths<\/h4>\n

The Arab baths had two functions in the Muslim era, as a religious ritual and as a social facility. It was common to find them at the entrances to cities; in this case we can find the baths near the now disappeared Puerta del Puente<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The Arab bath or\u00a0Hammam<\/em>\u00a0was deeply rooted in oriental social life, blending spirituality, health, social life, relaxation, pleasure and refinement of the Nazari aesthetic and led to a kind of unique facilities in the world and that disappeared in 1492 with the \u201cOrder of the Alhambra<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Until 1998, with the opening of the Hammam in Granada, did not open its doors a Hammam in the Peninsula. In recent years there is a resurgence of this refined and pleasant culture.<\/p>\n

\"Arabian<\/a>
Photo by Andreas Tille<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Arab Baths of Ronda were built during the 13th century.<\/p>\n

You can see another photo at the following link: https:\/\/es.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Archivo:Arab_baths.jpg<\/a><\/p>\n

Location: https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ptsyozfYiHRneX2q8<\/a><\/p>\n

Visitors highlight the video in which they explain what life was like at that time. It is worth the visit and you will be able to take good pictures of the area.<\/p>\n

House of the Moorish King in Ronda<\/h4>\n

In the Old Town of Ronda we find the House of the Moorish King, a construction from the 14th century and one of the most emblematic places of the municipality.<\/p>\n

\"Casa<\/a>
Casa del Rey Moro (House of the Moorish King)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It has the Water Mine, a strategic resource that was used to supply water during the sieges. Due to the lack of space, animals could not be introduced, so it was the captured slaves who were in charge of turning it and raising the water. It provided water to the population garrisoned behind the city walls. It was of such importance that it was the target of the attack by the Marquis of Cadiz during the conquest of the city in 1485; after cutting off the water supply the city was unable to resist the siege.<\/p>\n

The house had several owners since the middle of the 18th century and has undergone reforms.<\/p>\n

The garden is later than the Muslim period; in 1911 the owner bought the surrounding houses to demolish them, build it and reform the house.<\/p>\n

Group visits and evening tours are available.<\/p>\n