History Medieval Spain

Escondida en la cima de la colina Al-Sabika en Granada, región de Andalucía, España, al lado de la rumorosa corriente del río Darro, hay una estructura majestuosa con vista a la encantadora ciudad y a los místicos prados de La Vega. Esta fortaleza palaciega y la fabulosa Alhambra son la misma cosa. Para los que la vieron en todo su esplendor, esto fue el cielo en la tierra.

Descubra el primer gran estilo artístico europeo, desde los ostrogodos y Carlomagno hasta su propagación por Europa a través del Camino de Santiago. Adéntrese en el recóndito mundo del arco de medio punto y la bóveda de cañón, y en el simbolismo de las imágenes, protagonistas de un estilo cristiano que unificó durante varios siglos todo el arte de Occidente.

The Mosque of Cristo De La Luz is nowhere near the largest monument in Toledo. Nevertheless, this multicultural mezquita is often hailed as one of the most precious treasures of Toledo, a place that truly embodies the unique, cross-cultural spirit of the city. The Mosque of Cristo De La Luz explores the three major phases of its construction and tenure, as well as the riveting miracles that surround this hidden jewel in Toledo.

The Calle Cardenal Herrero in Córdoba is an iconic cobbled street impossible to overlook, for it is home to the Andalusian city's spectacular Mosque-Cathedral. Also known as “La Mezquita,” this one-of-a-kind Moorish and Christian place of worship reels in about 1.5 million visitors each year, most of whom find themselves spellbound by its hypnotic architectural features and the riveting history that has transpired and continues to within the beautifully weathered walls of the dual-church. That said, the Mezquita is far more than a mere tourist attraction.

At one point in time, this place had been decked out with a network of captivating castles, heavenly homes and gorgeous gardens, and a handsome military fortress envied by the city's neighboring kingdoms. This was none other than Alhambra, once so enchanting that a countless number of those who visited the place in its heyday praised it as a true paradise on earth. Today, this historic complex has become the setting and inspiration for a host of books, music, movies, and other works of art and literature.

Perhaps you have heard of the horrible stories of the Spanish, Portuguese, or French inquisition, the Catholic body of persecutors who would arrest the supposed “heathens” and accuse them of witchcraft, heresies, blasphemy, adultery, and a whole list of other sins or crimes. Torture, interrogations, executions, burnings, and other inhumane methods were used to then force, coerce, or kill the victims of this Catholic organization within the church at the time.

During the Spanish inquisition, being called a heretic, a witch, or a sinner meant business. It could mean the end of your life. And so, it is with a tragic view on the past that we see countless innocent victims being accused of something they never did, with no bad intentions or rebellious behavior, and nonetheless being executed in brutal manners. One of the proponents of this system, and an active executioner, was Thomas de Torquemada, a completely insane, cruel man who had become notorious for his methods of hunting down and taking out supposed anti-church offenders.