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Home , Latin America, Moors, Spanish architecture

503_8331_001_056 5/19/04 5:04 PM Page 32

La casa Test 11 Realidades 1 / B Tema 6

How “Spanish” Is Spanish ?

1 f you were to travel from and social unrest during I the southwestern United that time, houses were built States to the southern tip of with heavy doors and thick, , many buildings fortress-like walls. These would look fairly familiar walls also helped shield almost every place you visited. the rooms inside from the Although regional differences sun’s heat. The patios, would be obvious, you would placed in the center of the still be aware of a certain look house and accessible from shared by many communities in all first-floor rooms, often the southwestern had tiled floors. In the and America. In large part, center, surrounded by that look can be traced to the trees and flowers, architecture of Moorish . there was often a pool or 2 The Moors were North a large clay pot filled with African who ruled most cool water. Patios were of the (Spain thus probably the first and ) for nearly 800 naturally “air-conditioned” years—from the early eighth rooms. Throughout Latin century until the late fifteenth America today, as well as century. Many elements of in Spain, central patios are was being colonized by Spain, Latin architecture still a popular feature of many balconies became common were first introduced to Spain commercial buildings as well in as well. by the Moors during that as homes. There was, however, a major period. 4 Another common element difference: Most Latin American 3 Patios, for example, became of Latin American architecture balconies do not overlook common in cities such as is the balcón, or mirador. In the patio. Instead, they face Córdoba and Sevilla beginning Moorish Spain, homes typically outward so that people can in the early eleventh century. had balconies off the second- view the street life of the town. Because of widespread political floor sleeping areas. These 5 Buildings in Moorish Spain balconies, usually differed from those in which often northern in another way included as well. Although was intricately used as a building material, it designed was not nearly as common as wrought iron stone, , and adobe (heavy railings and clay made of sun-dried grates, and straw). Today, © Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. overlooked builders in Latin America and the patio. the southwestern United States During the continue to use many of these period when same materials and techniques Latin America first introduced by the Moors.

PAGE 32 TEST 11 503_8331_001_056 5/19/04 12:56 PM Page 33

Test 11

When did the Moors conquer Spain?

A in the early 500s B in the early 700s C in the early 800s D in the early 1200s

According to the article, what was the main reason why the doors and walls of Spanish homes were so thick during the time of Moorish rule?

F They kept the house warm. G They were used for defense and protection. H They enclosed the patio. J The Moors were used to living in homes with thick walls.

Which of the following is the best English equivalent of mirador in paragraph 4?

A a door with a mirror in it B a heavy mirror C a door onto a patio D an overlook

Why do architectural features that date to the period of Moorish influence in Spain exist in the southwestern United States and Latin America today?

F It gets very hot in those . G Those regions were conquered by the Moors. H Those regions were colonized by the Spanish. J There is much political and social unrest in those regions.

READ THINK Based on what you have read, compare and contrast typical modern homes in EXPLAIN ______Spain and in the United States. What cultural influences might be responsible for ______these similarities and differences? © Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

PAGE 33 TEST 11 503_8331_001_056 5/19/0412:56PMPage34 EXPLAIN THINK READ ______ PAGE 34 Nombre: Test ______ ______F ______11 echa: ______ STOP

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