The Iberian Peninsula between Christianity and Islam (Spain)

The Umayyad Caliphate had conquered the Iberian peninsula in 8th century, but already in 718 the Reconquista started and the Christians began to establish new kingdoms to foster the power of Christianity on the peninsula. The first kingdom, that was founded by the Christians, was the Kingdom of Asturias in 718. First it was just a small state, but soon started its expansion.

One of the churches built in the Kingdom of Asturias was San Miguel de Lillo in the kingdom's capital Oviedo. The Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias are since 1985 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Cordoba had its period of greatest glory after it had been conquered by the Moorish armies in 711. In 766 it became the capital of the Emirate of al-Andalus and also remained the capital after the emirate became the Caliphate of Cordoba under the Umayyad dynasty in 929. It was an important centre of education and had a big library. In 1236 Cordoba was captured by King Ferdinand III of Castile.

The Great Mosque was built between 784 and 987. After Cordoba had been captured by the Christians, it was turned into a Catholic church.

The Great Mosque of Cordoba is since 1984 on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in 1994 the rest of the city's historic centre was added.

The Alhambra was first built in the 9th century. In the 13th century it was largely renovated by the Moorish Emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar of Granada and in 1333 it was converted into a royal palace by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada. 

In 1492 the Reconquista ended when the Emirate of Granada surrendered to the Christian monarchs after the Granada War. 

Afterwards the Alhambra became the Royal Court of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. There Christopher Columbus received the royal endorsement for his expedition. 

The Alhambra is today the best example of Islamic architecture in Spain and also one of the country's most visited sights. Since 1984 is the Alhambra on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

26.11.2016

The Works of Antoni Gaudí (Spain)

Antoni Gaudí was a Catalan architect. He was born in Reus in 1852 and died in Barcelona in 1926. He was one of the most important representatives of the Modernisme and his works are still very popular. 

The Casa Vicens was built between 1883 and 1885. It is the first house designed by Antoni Gaudí and is considered to be one of the first structures built in the style of the Modernisme.

The Palau Güell was designed by Antoni Gaudí for his patron Eusebi Güell, a Catalan industrialist. It was built between 1886 and 1888.

The Park Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements created by Antoni Gaudí. It was built for Eusebi Güell between 1900 and 1914.

The Casa Batlló was already built in 1877, but between 1904 and 1906 it was redesigned by Antoni Gaudí. It is considered to be one of his masterpieces and one of the most beautiful buildings of Barcelona. The façade depicts the legend of Saint George.

The Casa Milà is the last civil building constructed by Antoni Gaudí and was built between 1906 and 1912. Special features of the building are the wrought iron balconies, the underground garage and the natural air conditioning. It is also known by its nickname La Pedrera, the quarry.

The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família is the most important work of Antoni Gaudí, although it is not completed. Gaudí was involved in the construction between 1883 and his death. It became a basilica minor in 2010 and is the most visited sight of Spain. According to current schedules it will be completed in 2026. Then it will have 18 towers and will be the tallest church in the World.

Some of Gaudí's works are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 1984 the Park Güell, the Palau Güell and the Casa Milà were added. In 2005 the site was extended by the Casa Vicens, the crypt and nativity façade of the Sagrada Família, the Casa Batlló and the crypt at the Colònia Güell.
I am looking for a card of the Colònia Güell. Anyone can help?