ISLAMIC HISTORY IN ANDALUCIA

trans. al-ʼAndalus, Spanish: Al-Ándalus) was the Arabic name given to a nation , ﺲﻟﺪﻧﻷا :Al-Andalus (Arabic and territorial region also commonly referred to as Moorish Iberia. The name describes parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Septimania governed by Muslims (given the generic name of Moors), at various times in the period between 711 and 1492, although the territorial boundaries underwent constant changes with constant attacks from the Christian Kingdom. Following the Muslim conquest of Hispania, Al-Andalus was divided into five administrative areas roughly corresponding to Andalusia, Galicia and Portugal, Castile and Léon, Aragon and Catalonia, and Septimania. As a political domain or domains, it successively constituted a province of the Umayyad Caliphate, initiated by the Caliph Al-Walid I (711–750); the Emirate of Córdoba (c. 750–929); the Caliphate of Córdoba (929– 1031); and the Caliphate of Córdoba's taifa (successor) kingdoms. Rule under these kingdoms saw the rise in cultural exchange and cooperation between Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Under the Caliphate of Córdoba, al- Andalus was a beacon of learning, and the city of Córdoba became one of the leading cultural and economic centres in both the Mediterranean Basin and the Islamic world. In succeeding centuries, Al-Andalus became a province of the Berber Muslim dynasties of the Almoravids and Almohads, subsequently fragmenting into a number of minor states, most notably the Emirate of Granada. With the support of local inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula the Almoravids deposed of the taifa Muslim princes, after helping to repel Christian attacks on the region by Alfonso VI. Rule under the Almoravids and Almohads saw a decline in cultural and social exchange and increased persecution of religious minorities, with a return to more fundamentalist forms of Islam. For much of its history, Al-Andalus existed in conflict with Christian kingdoms to the north, which at first were forced into subservience but eventually overpowered their Muslim neighbors to the South. In 1085, Alfonso VI of León and Castile captured Toledo, precipitating a gradual decline until, by 1236, with the fall of Córdoba, the Emirate of Granada remained the only Muslim-ruled territory in what is now Spain. In 1238, the Emirate of Granada officially became a tributary state to the Kingdom of Castile, then ruled by King Ferdinand III. On January 2, 1492, Emir Muhammad XII surrendered the Emirate of Granada to Queen Isabella I of Castile, who along with her husband King Ferdinand II of Aragon were the "Catholic Monarchs". The surrender concluded Al-Andalus as a political entity, but the cultural and social contributions under Muslim rule still persist in the region.

THE EIGHT POINT STAR In the case of Andalusia, we will see a symbol that fills the Andalusian life and curiously goes unnoticed by the vast majority of the population, even though they are in many places. I refer to the eight-pointed star, a symbol that has existed throughout the history of Andalusia in a conscious or unconscious. It seems that the origin of the eight- pointed star is in mythology and religion Tartessos sun worshiper. The sun king is a defining symbol of ancient Andalusia. From the earliest times of the Neolithic Andalusians worshiped the sun and represented with eight spokes. For the Andalusians Tartessus, this star represented on their coins as a clear political symbol, in an era of full independence Andalusia. The Betic Andalusians, not being independent, they just represent the star in most of the mosaics. The Andalusians who defeated D, Rodrigo, chose the eight-pointed star as a political symbol and put it on the first coins minted. The caliphate of Al-Andalus independent extensively used the star, even in some of their coins. Also included it the Nazari Kingdom in some banners as well as widely used in decoration. The Mozarabic and Mudejar Andalusians brought the eight-pointed star around the north of the peninsula, the Muslims and Andalusians Moors spread throughout the Maghreb and the Middle East.

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Day 1 ARRIVAL TO MÁLAGA

Arrival to capital of Costa del Sol in your flight. Meet and greet with your private driver and transfer to your hotel. Check in. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

Day 2 OPTIONAL: HALF DAY VISIT OF MÁLAGA

Breakfast. Meet with your private driver, transfer to Málaga. At Town Hall, meet with your English speaking local guide, to start your half day visit in Málaga. With over 3000 years of history, Málaga is one of the world's most famous cultural destinations. Home to artists such as Picasso, Málaga has taken full advantage of its potential to provide unforgettable experiences for all the senses. Visitors can come to visit and admire the monuments left to us by Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs.

The Alcazaba that is the city's most important archaeological site together with the Castle of Gibralfaro and the Roman Theatre. The Alcazaba, built between the 11th and 15th centuries, was the fortress-palace of the Moorish rulers. It is located on the site of an earlier Phoenician building at the foot of Mount Gibralfaro, a privileged spot overlooking the city. The palace is connected to the Gibralfaro Castle by a steep mountain passage.

The next stop after leaving the Alcazaba is the nearby Roman Theatre, an essential visit. Built in the first century BC, it was in use until the third century AD After its recent restoration, Málaga's Roman Theatre regained its use as a performance space.

Having reached the Town Hall Again, the coach bus will take you to the Castillo de Gibralfaro. Abd-ar-Rahman III turned the ruins on top of this mountain, which included a Phoenician lighthouse, into a fortress; the lighthouse gave the place its Arabic name, "Jabal Faruh" (Mount Lighthouse). Later, in 1340, the Nasrid King Yusuf I extended it and built the castle. But above all, you can enjoy the stunning views over the city and the bay of Málaga where you will be able to identify all the places. After admiring the view, take the coach bus back and return to your hotel. Lunch on your own. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

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Day 3 OPTIONAL: FULL DAY RONDA TOUR

Breakfast. Meet with your driver and departure to Ronda. On arrival, at bus station, meet with your English speaking local guide, and start your visit of Ronda. As the words of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1956, Juan Ramón Jiménez: “Where that captivation, that yearning for a typical Andalusian city, of the people, that security for after, that stopped time? This is, here is Ronda, Serranía de Ronda. Ronda high and deep, round, profound, round and tall”.

The location of Ronda at the top of a rocky hill has given the city, among its history, a strong strategic as well as defensive value. The Medina was located here at the Arab age, with well-defined city limits drawn on one side, by the natural border given by gorge made on the mountains by the Guadalevin river and, on the other side, by the city walls themselves.

From the important city wall, well conserved today, we have to remark specially the Almocabar gate, located at the southern part of the medina, built at the 13th century and restored, and changed its aspect, at the age of Charles V. This gate takes its name from the Arab word“Al-maqabir“, that means cementery, because it is located near the main city cementery, outside the city walls, as common between the arabs. It was one of the main entrance city gates and it gave the access to the High city quarter, today called of the Holy Spirit, as well as the entrance to the Arab Medina. Halfway through the 16th century, a new access entrance was added to the front side of the gate, with quadrate ground and main entrance with battlements made according to the Renaissance style, consisting of a semicircular arch made of stone, and over it a big royal arm coat with the Spanish empire eagle on it.

Another remarkable point of the city walls is located at the eastern side of the city: the walls and gates of Cijara. This area consists of a double defensive line where the Islamic outside quarters as well as the Arab public baths were located. At least, it is interesting to mention the western side city walls of Albacara, whose function was to defend the productive areas of the city (the mills) and to keep the castle in case of danger for the city. At this city sector there can be found two other entrance gates to the medina: The Gate called of Jesus Christ or of the Mills and the Wind Gate.

The Arab Baths, this thermal building of the Arab time is the best conserved of its kind at the Iberian Peninsula. It is located at the old Arab quarter of the city, today called San Miguel Quarter, being the formerly outside quarter of the Arab medina (city) of Ronda. The baths were built near the Arroyo de las Culebras (snakes' stream), a perfect place in order to be provided of water, which was moved by a waterwheel, in a current perfect conservation state. The chronology of the Ronda Arab baths starts at the 13th-14th centuries. The bath is divided into three main

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zones, following the Roman model of thermal buildings: cold water, warm water and hot water bathrooms. The hydraulic system of the thermal bath has arrived to our days almost complete. The central room is the biggest and has got three parts, separated by four pairs of horseshoe arches above bricks and stone columns, which have the function of holding up barrel vaults, with nice skylights forming stars, closed with glass. The building is surrounded by one wall with blind arches (no light can be seen through them) and has got at its end a tower containing the waterwheel structure. The boiler area is also conserved, where the water was heated, as well as rests of a tannery, which was the main activity of this place after the Christian conquest of the city, which meant that the use of the building as thermal baths was neglected.

During the visit, you will have lunch at a local restaurant (included in the rate).

The New Bridge is, together with the bullring of the Royal Cavalry Order of Ronda, symbol and soul of the city. There were two great ideas in order to build this bridge. The first of them was thought in 1735, being king Philip V, consisting of a 35 meters diameter arch, and whose works finished only 8 months later. Unfortunately, this bridge did not work, because it collapsed, bringing to death more or less to 50 people. Few years later the building of a new bridge was begun, in 1751, and it was finished in 1793, at the same time of the celebration of the Royal May Fair of Ronda. The building took more than 40 years, being the executive chief the architect José Martín de Aldehuela. This master building has got a height of 98 metres, built with stone masonry which were taken from the depth of the Tajo's gorge. This majestic monument hast got inside it a modern concept of an Interpretation Centre about this great work of Engineering of the eighteen century and about the different aspects of its environement: fauna, vegetation, geology, urbanism, history, etc.

After the visit, we will return to Málaga. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

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Day 4 OPTIONAL: FULL DAY SEVILLA TOUR

Breakfast. Meet with your driver and departure to Sevilla. On arrival, at Murillo Gardens, you will meet with your English speaking local guide and start your visit of Sevilla with the mains interests Arab monuments.

Seville was the capital of the Al-Andalus province, where some of the Almohad caliphs resided, which turned the city into an authentic metropolis of the time. This itinerary shows you this historic legacy through its archaeological and architectural vestiges, its stories and its memory. First of all, the remains of the Umayyad Mosque. (Iglesia del Salvador). Here was the Mosque of Ibn Adabbas, built at the time of the reign of Abd al-Rahman II (829/214H), as it appears in the epigraph on a column that today is displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Seville. Only visible elements of this mosque are preserved, except for the minaret (tower – later bell tower) and the ablution courtyard space (Patio de los Naranjos). Other remains can be seen in the crypt, with access from the courtyard. This mosque was demolished in 1671, becoming the site of the later baroque church.

Second, the remains of the Almohad Major mosque. (Actual Cathedral). The alminar, the ablution courtyard and some accesses are preserved from this aljama mosque, as the prayer room was buried beneath the present Gothic Cathedral. The works were carried out during the reigns of Yusuf I and Yacub I, 1172-1198, in three main phases of construction. The first phase, begun in 1172, was directed by the architect Ahmad Ben Baso. This first step consisted of delimiting the layout of the building and the demolition of the houses that were on the lot, which have been detected in the different archaeological excavations that have been performed in the gothic building. The second and third stages correspond to the construction of the minaret and the various repairs that were carried out in the mosque. Ablutions Patio (sahn). From the sahn, there are the preserved east and north galleries and the great cistern that is under the patio. It is in the Ablutions Patio where you can see the great arches (pointed horseshoe) that help us to imagine the appearance of the prayer room of this great aljama mosque. La Puerta del Perdón. The main door is known as the “Puerta del Perdón” (Door of Forgiveness). It contains the preserved magnificent plasterwork of the purest Almohade style (in the soffits of the arch next to the patio). The exterior facade was an addition in 1519 in Plateresque style (Renaissance). The mosque had to have several entrances, of which three are conserved in the east side and one on the north side. The gates of the east side are all the same, a horseshoe arch with narrow stones up to the line of the imposta. Another important element to note, in relation to the aljama mosque, is the mida or ablutions hall that remains hidden today.

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During the visit, you will have lunch in a local restaurant of Sevilla.

Then, we will continue with the visit of exteriors of the Alcázar. The Alcázar is on the southern end of the city, next to the port, between the two fluvial channels: the Guadalquivir and the Tagarete. A strategic position that allowed access control across the river and from the southern sector. The construction of the fortress and its successive extensions led to transformations in the urban structure, as much from the demolition of previously constructed spaces as by the creation of new palaces and residential spaces in its interior and around it. The space became the political and religious centre of the city during the Almohad era. The canvas on the outside of the enclosure corresponds to the construction of the primitive alcázar. The Alcázar of Seville has always been used as lodging for kings and important personalities. It is made up of different buildings from different eras. The original fortification was built on an old Roman, later used by the Visogoths. Later is became a Paleochristian basilica (San Vicente Mártir), where San Isidro (Saint Isodore) was buried. The Real Alcázar of Seville began to take on its present appearance after the Arabs took over the city in the year 713. One of the palaces that surrounds two courtyards is of the same era as the Alhambra of Granada. To carry out the work, important craftsmen were sent by the Nasrid King Mohamed V. After the reconquest of the city, in 1248, the “Reales Alcázares” were of the successive monarchs. Alfonso X the Wise made the first reforms, creating three large Gothic salons. Pedro I later decided to build the wonderful Mudéjar Palace. Strolling through the Alcázar Gardens can be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your visit. They are arranged in terraces, with green vegetation, a multitude of orange and palm trees, with fountains and pavilions where you can breathe the freshness and stillness; a place for calm and rest in the hot city. The Jardines del Príncipe (the Prince’s Gardens) are especially notable, with the Fountain of Neptune, and the Jardines del Naranjal (Naranjal’s Gardens), with the fountain of the Lion, and the Pavilion of Carlos V, where King Fernando III died. The rest of the gardens are more modern, and in them, we can find the shield and name of King Alfonso XIII. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Real Alcázar has also been the scene of several productions, such as The Kingdom of Heaven, Alatriste or Game of Thrones.

To end with our Arab vestige visit of Sevilla, we will have a look at Torre del Oro (Golden Tower). The Torre del Oro is a coracha, that is, a tower that advances with respect to the wall, but which its united with it. It had four functions: it served as the gouache of the alcazar, it protected the space known in 1248 as the Arenal; it flanked the river by means of a chain that crossed it from this edge to the one in front,

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as we know through the First General Chronicle of Spain, and finally, it served as a watchtower, with signals and lights to guide navigation through the Guadalquivir. The Torre del Oro was the defensive bastion of the Guadalquivir river. Don’t forget that when the chain that protected the port was broken by the Christian fleet commanded by Admiral Bonifaz, the Barcas bridge was opened and the Christians took the Triana castle, taking control of the city after almost two years of siege.

After the visit, return to Málaga. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

Day 5 OPTIONAL: HALF DAY VISIT OF MIJAS

Breakfast. Meet with your private driver and your English-speaking guide and start your visit of the white village of Mijas.

Mijas, located at the foot of the homonymous mountain range, exhibits a typical Andalusian farmhouse. Its traditional condition as a mountain village has been combined harmoniously with an important tourist complex located in the coastal enclave of La Cala, where twelve kilometers of beach stretch. The old town, of Arab outline and immersed in the mountain landscape, houses in its whitewashed streets some buildings of interest, including some churches and hermitages. Meanwhile, its surroundings preserve some archaeological sites, witnesses of the rich prehistoric past of the town. The excellent climate that it enjoys throughout the year, as well as the quality of its waters, make Mijas an ideal destination for all those who seek a place that allows to enjoy the coast without losing all the attractions hidden in the mountainous area of Malaga. The historical center of Mijas is located in the interior, on a slope of the mountain range of the same name. In this place, it rises, like a large balcony overlooking the Mediterranean, an urban layout that, unmistakably, recalls its Arab past. Walking through its lively streets of whitewashed houses will mean discovering a typical Andalusian town steeped in history and full of charming corners. The bullring, with its quadrangular exterior, the sanctuary of the Virgen de la Peña (17th century) or the

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church of La Concepción (16th century) are some outstanding monuments. It will also be worth visiting the Auditorium and strolling placidly through La Muralla, gardens and balconies that allow you to contemplate privileged views of the Costa del Sol. And, from time to time, you will be surprised to see the nice donkey-taxis, which invite you to visit the center and the surroundings of the town.

After the visit, return to hotel. Lunch on your own. Rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner at hotel and overnight.

Day 6 OPTIONAL: FULL DAY VISIT OF CORDOBA

Breakfast. Meet with your private driver and departure to Córdoba.

On arrival, meet with your English speaking local guide and start your visit of the Mosque. The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (World Heritage Site since 1984) is arguably the most significant monument in the whole of the western Moslem World and one of the most amazing buildings in the world in its own right. The complete evolution of the Omeyan style in Spain can be seen in its different sections, as well as the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of the Christian part.

The site which the Mosque-Cathedral occupies has been used for the worship of different divinities since ancient times. Under the rule of the Visigoths, the Basilica of San Vicente occupied this very site, and later, after the Moslems bought part of the plot of land, a primitive Mosque was built. The basilica was rectangular in shape, and for a while was shared by Christians and Moslems. As the Moslem population increased, the ruler Abderraman I acquired the whole site and demolished the basilica to make way for the first Alhama (main) Mosque in the city. Some of the original building materials from the Visigothic basilica can still be seen in the first section of the Mosque built by Abderraman I.

The great Mosque is made up of two distinct areas, the courtyard or sahn, with its porticos (the only part built by Abd al- Rahman III), where the minaret stands - nowadays, encased in the Renaissance tower - and the prayer hall, or haram. The

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area inside is made up of a forest of columns with a harmonious colour scheme of red and white arches. The five separate areas of the Mosque correspond to each of the five extensions carried out.

Then, you will visit the Arab Baths. In 1903, remains of Arabic baths were unearthed by accident in the area known as Campo de los Santos Mártires, but they were covered over again soon after. However, between 1961 and 1964, a group of Cordoban archaeologists started digging the site again and revealed the sheer size and importance of the find. These baths were called hammam, and were situated next to what used to be the Omeyan Castle, which it was most likely attached to, and were one the biggest baths of their kind in the city. Ritual washing and personal hygiene played a fundamental part in the lives of Moslems. Washing was carried out before prayer, and was considered an important social ritual. The baths were built during the reign of the Caliph Alhakem II, and are made up of a series of rooms with walls made of solid stone blocks. The ceilings were vaulted (with their characteristic star-shaped openings), and supported by semi-circular arches with marble pillars and capitals. From the 11th to the 13th centuries, the baths were used by the Almoravid and Almohad rulers. Panels of decorative plasterwork with floral designs and borders with Arabic inscriptions survive from this period, which are now on display in the Archeological Museum. Lunch in a local restaurant of Córdoba. And then, transfer to Medina Azahara Palace.

The history of Medina Azahara, the magnificent, enigmatic city palace which was built for Abd-al Rahman III at the foot of the Sierra Morena mountains five miles from the city, is shrouded in myths and legends. According to popular belief, Abd al- Rahman III, after proclaiming himself Caliph in 929 A.D., after eight years in power, decide to build the city-palace in honour of his favourite, Azahara. However, recent research strongly suggests that the real reason for the Caliph founding Medina Azahara was to promote the new image of the recently-created independent western Caliphate as a one of the strongest, most powerful kingdoms in Medieval Europe. The city was built on three terraces, surrounded by a city wall, with the Royal Castle situated on the highest and the middle levels. The lower level was reserved for living quarters and the Mosque, which was built outside the walls. Historical sources mention ten thousand people working daily on building the palace complex, on which no expense was spared by Abd al-Rahman in order to achieve the desired propaganda effect: he would project the image of the new city like the flagship of the powerful kingdom he governed. Rich marbles of violet and red, gold and precious stones, as well as the skilled work of artisans from the best quarries and the now legendary Byzantine contributions, helped to make the palace take on its full glory. The part of the Castle which was public was where the official visits took place. In

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the highest part, stood the High Hall, with five naves decorated with arches. Further down was the Rich Hall: this room was divided into three naves with red and bluish marble arches, with the sides of the building closed, but open in the centre. The Ataurique decoration (carved plant motifs) and the expensive materials used gave the name to this hall, which also had baths and opened out onto the beautiful High Garden. This garden was divided into four parts, with a summer house in the middle and four ponds. Legend has it that the pond in front of the Rich Hall contained mercury and lit up the area with thousands of flashing colours.

Return to Málaga. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

Day 7 OPTIONAL: FULL DAY VISIT OF GRANADA

Breakfast. Meet with your private driver and departure towards Granada.

At the foot of the Sierra Nevada, between the Darro and Genil rivers, one of the most interesting cities of Eastern Andalusia extends. The impressive Andalusian legacy adds to Renaissance architectural gems and the most modern facilities of the 21st century. The fact of being the last city reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492 gives Granada an unmistakable Arabic flavor. Fuentes, Miradores and Cármenes, the houses surrounded by characteristic gardens of this city, contribute to create unforgettable corners. Not in vain, one of its old neighborhoods, the Albaicín, is a World Heritage Site along with the Alhambra and the Generalife.

On arrival, meet with your English speaking local guide art Alhambra Parking. You will start your visit of Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens.

The "red citadel" elevated on the hill of Sabika, a city planned and developed according to the laws of medieval Islamic-Andalusian urbanism, totally independent of Granada, sheltered by more than one thousand seven hundred meters of wall and some thirty towers of different sizes and functions.

Three independent enclosures make up the city of the Alhambra. The Alcazaba, military area designed for the protection of the city and reserved for the elite guard.

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The exquisite palatine city that included the residence of the sultan and family where everyday aspects of the court were developed. Outside the walls of the sumptuous palace stretched the medina, a small court town, administrative and craft. Basically, these three places are the central axis of the visit that are currently accompanied by additions that according to tastes of each period have expanded or reduced the whole, as is the case of the Church of Santa Maria that is located on the Great Mosque or the Palace of Charles V.

The palace is located at the point known as Cerro del Sol, an intermediate step between the fertile valley of Granada and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

Legends of forbidden love affairs, bird songs, floral aromas and photogenic panoramic views of the city invite you to take a relaxing stroll in this first part of our visit. You will continue climbing towards the Jardines Altos and the singular Escalera de Agua, an ingenious architectural solution combined with a splendid vault of laurels. Of the most beautiful and rewarding places that the site has. Ideal to sit and listen to the sound of water. The rest of the space is a romantic garden that has nothing to do with its origin.

You will leave the upper part of the monumental complex to access the citadel. The Puerta del Agua welcomes and leads you, as to the essential element, along the path that ran through the Acequia Real, whose remains can still be seen in some points of the walled enclosure.

The canalization of the Nazari era, together with Los Albercones and Los Pozos Altos, is one of the most important hydraulic structures of the medieval period in the peninsula. These are the "little details" that little by little get you to admire the entire architectural complex and not just a part, because without the ditch, the Alhambra would not have been possible.

The first of the impressive buildings of the Alhambra that we come across is the Parador Museum, former Convent of San Francisco, built on a beautiful Nasrid palace dedicated to infants. The building is a must.

Opposite the Parador is the old court city or Archaeological Area of the Palace of the Abencerrajes (name Castilian with which the noble family of the Banu Sarray is known), reconverted in Chancellery from 1501 when the Catholic Kings give the palace to Juan Chacón, senior accountant of the Royal Council.

The Puerta del Vino and the access to the Alcazaba put an end to its route in which the buildings of the Church of Santa María de la Alhambra, located on the old mosque and its partially preserved bathroom, stand out for their own merits. It currently houses the Museum of Angel Barrios, a character who was born and lived in this place.

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You finally enter the jewel of the Nasrid crown, the set of palaces that has given so much fame to the Alhambra.

You must be very aware of the date and time! To better access that you do without backpacks or bulky objects, as security will not let you, just as it is not allowed to use the tripod. If you enter with backpack or bag you will have to place them in the front of your body.

The Old Royal House opens its doors to us, suddenly the spell and the magic begins to feel.

The magnificent Mexuar-Oratorio and its impressive set of decorative elements, contrasts of chiaroscuros and colors introduces us to the Muslim world, its customs, traditions and duties with its religion. Here the meeting of the Sura (Council of Ministers) was celebrated and the sultan attended to his subjects.

After the magnificent Fourth Dorado with its rich plasterwork façade from the 14th century, you can access the Patio de los Arrayanes (name of the bushes that grow alongside the Acequia). The symmetry, the pure forms, the simplicity embellish this patio in which the pristine white of the walls contrasts with the orange color of the magnificent Comares Tower, headquarters of the Hall of the Ambassadors, where the symbolic dome or frame that represents the seven heavens of Allah. Sublime!

In the Palace of the Lions you enter another dimension. The set is distributed around the courtyard of the same name surrounded by a forest gallery of brick palms. A total of 124 columns protect one of the greatest beauties of the Alhambra, the source of twelve lions, the undisputed symbol of the monumental complex.

Around the patio there are rooms and rooms where the artistic virtuosity of the Nazari era is displayed.

The Hall of the Abencerrajes (witness of a bloody legend), the Hall of the Two Sisters or the Mirador de Lindajara get your cervicals to hold an impossible position. There is nothing more beautiful than what happens in the domes and roofs of these rooms.

And after the architectural, decorative and vital splendor of the Nasrid period, we left a magical world, to enter the rooms renovated by the grandson of the Catholic Kings, Charles I of Spain and V of Germany. A more austere world, as the world understood the first kings of the Habsburg dynasty.

The viewpoint of Lindajara overlooks a beautiful Renaissance-style garden, just a few meters away from the Queen's Dressing Room, possibly one of the best viewpoints that exist towards the Albaicín neighborhood that is just in front of our eyes.

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But the monumental complex does not end here, since behind the Palace of the Lions extends a large garden area in which remains of other residences are preserved, among which the Palace of the Partal, the oldest in the group, of the beginning of the century. XIV, which includes a simple Oratory.

The recoveries made since the beginning of the 20th century have managed to integrate an entire archaeological zone (Palace of Yusuf III) which is considered the first palatial settlement of the Nasrids.

The Paseo de las Torres awaits us at the exit of the monumental complex of the Nasrid Palaces, the unique towers of the Picos, the Cautiva and the Infantas show us another aspect of the architecture and urban solutions of the citadel of the Alhambra.

The magnificent brick, the ashlars, the masonry made with stones, mortar and lime comes out to meet us through the walls.

The Plaza de los Aljibes, ample open space in front of the Palace of Carlos V and the magnificent Puerta del Vino that you do not hesitate to contemplate and cross, gives access to the last of the enclosures that make up the Monumental complex only accessible with the joint entrance, the Alcazaba.

The Puerta del vino was the original access to the Medina, built between the 13th and 14th centuries, its refined architecture is another example of Nasrid art. A worked plaster, brick and beautiful ceramics catch the attention of the one who passes through it.

Prepare your lower limbs for the leg-breaker that is the military enclosure of the Alcazaba. The Alcazaba is "the prow" of the hill of the Sabika, raised at the beginning of the XIII century by the first sultan is the oldest sector of the whole citadel; a military city with its own wall, a courtyard, a military district and a succession of towers, including La Vela or La Campana, the undisputed symbol of the city of Granada.

After the visit of Alhambra, you will be transferred to a restaurant where you will have lunch. And then, we will make a visit of the center and of the hardly surprising UNESCO declared Albaicín World Cultural Heritage in 1994, because the charm of the neighbourhood's lovely narrow streets and traditional houses is unrivalled. They have also preserved a popular, hospitable atmosphere for hundreds of years.

The best way to explore the Albaicín is to start your tour in the House of Zafra Visitor's Centre and then just wanderthrough the neighbourhood. In the Albaicín (also spelled Albayzin or Albaycín) you can breathe in the essence of a neighbourhood that evokes the architecture of the Arabs and also of other ancient Mediterranean cities. Much of its charm resides in the cármenes (traditional houses

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with interior orchards and gardens) and the steep hills that lead to stunning miradores (viewpoints), such as the Mirador of San Nicolás.

Return to Málaga. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

Day 8 OPTIONAL: HALF DAY VISIT OF MARBELLA AND PUERTO BANUS

Breakfast. Meet with your private driver and your English-speaking guide and departure to Marbella. When we think of Marbella, the image of glamor, money, celebrities, luxury cars and yachts, parties, and a wide range of sun and beach tourism will automatically come to mind. But in addition to being one of the most important tourist destinations of the Costa del Sol, you can find in Marbella a beautiful typically Andalusian old town, with narrow streets, whitewashed houses and flowery balconies. Today you will discover what to see in Marbella by taking a walk through its historic center. Marbella retains a rich historical and archaeological heritage, as it owes its origins to the Romans. From the Arab period, it preserves remains of a castle and the walls that surrounded the Muslim city, and from the Christian period we can see the Church of the Incarnation, the House of the Corregidor and the Hospital of San Juan de Dios.Delimited by a fence wall, the historic center of Marbella is pedestrian. We start the route on the seafront, going up Avenida del Mar, a wide boulevard with marble pavement where restaurants, bars, pergolas, banks, water fountains are interspersed. One of the things that you will see in this avenue is the collection of 10 bronze sculptures designed by Salvador Dalí (they are replicas in large format of the originals).At the end of the Avenida del Mar, some stairs lead us to the leafy Parque de la Alameda, one of the liveliest places in Marbella, where markets and events of all kinds usually take place. It is the oldest park in Marbella, since the first species were planted in the 18th century.Crossing the Ramón y Cajal Avenue, you reach the historic center of Marbella. Just walking around a little you will reach the Plaza de los Naranjos,

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one of the most emblematic places and nerve center of the city. Its name is due to the large number of orange trees it has, under which the lively terraces of the numerous bars and restaurants are installed. Built at the end of the 15th century, the Plaza de los Naranjos symbolizes a historic change in the city: the transition from Arab to Christian culture, and was established as the center of administrative and civil power at the time of the Reconquest. Surrounded by the typical Andalusian white houses, in the Plaza de los Naranjos are three of the most emblematic buildings of Marbella: the Town Hall (erected by the Catholic Monarchs), the Hermitage of Santiago (the oldest religious building in the city , of century XV), and the House of the Corregidor (with a facade of emblazoned stone that combines Gothic and Renaissance elements).

A short distance away is the Church Square, presided by the statue of San Bernabé (patron and perpetual mayor of Marbella) in front of the imposing façade of the Church of Santa María de la Encarnación. Given its large dimensions and above all, by the height of its ships and its central dome, it looks more like a cathedral than a church.

Behind the temple we find another place to see in Marbella: the old Bazán Hospital, representative building of the Renaissance civil architecture of the city, dated in the 16th century. It is currently the headquarters of the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving, the only museum in Spain devoted entirely to the history of engraving.Following the remains of the wall and the Arab castle (10th century), we reached Calle Ancha, the main artery through which the city used to enter and leave the city, through the Puerta de Ronda. It is a beautiful and stately street where the most affluent citizens settled, as is evident in the noble houses with blazons on their facades, large balconies and a remarkable decoration. These include Casa de Correa (1763), next to which is the Chapel of Santo Cristo de la Veracruz (16th century). After the visit, we will have short walk in Puerto Banús and then, return to your hotel. Lunch on your own. Rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner at hotel and overnight.

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Day 9 OPTIONAL: FULL DAY VISIT OF ANTEQUERA

Breakfast. Meet with your private driver and your English speaking local guide and departure to Antequera.

Step by step, the traveler moves to the crossroads of Andalusia, Antequera, north of Malaga, at the gates of the kingdom of Granada. The excellence of its landscape, its substantial historic importance, the authenticity it holds today as yesterday, did not go unnoticed by those pioneer tourists who were the romantics. Irving himself considered it a discovery: "A little further on," he wrote back in 1829, "Antequera appeared before our eyes, the old square of warrior reputation, set in the lap of the great mountain range that runs through Andalusia. A noble vega stretched out at his feet, like an oil of gentle fertility framed by rocky elevations. After crossing a river of calm waters we approach the city between hedges and verge ... Everything in this venerable city has a decidedly Spanish stamp ... ».

Reason was not lacking, because even its name oozes an ancestral past. Anticaria, "ancient", the Romans called it, knowing the civilizations that preceded them leaving a spectacular legacy of dolmens from the Bronze Age. More fame, however, reached its neighbor Singilia Barba, later called "Antequera la Vieja". Eclipsadas both during the primacy of Archidona as the capital of Rayya's heart, the Muslim Antaqira reappears in the eleventh century amid the disputes between the Sevillian kings and the Grenadian Zirids, who eventually won it. Under the Almoravids and Almohads, his personality is affirmed, so that in the thirteenth century, when integrated into the domains of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada, his urban structure appears already configured, with the citadel and the walled medina. Ibn al-Jatib in the fourteenth century glossed his agricultural and livestock wealth, while playing a prominent role in the history of the last kingdom of al-Andalus.

Its capture in 1410 by the infante don Fernando, nicknamed since then "the one of Antequera", marks one of the most famous events of the reconquest. Until the fall of Granada Antequera served base of operations of raids and campaigns that conferred a privileged place in the border romances. At the conclusion of the conflict, it experienced a stage of splendor, shining as a cultural and artistic center from the sixteenth century, prosperity that increased in the eighteenth the development of a powerful textile manufacture.

The remains of the old medieval village occupy the upper part of the hill that dominates the city. In its highest area stands the Alcazaba, a formidable example of Muslim military architecture on the base of which Roman transport materials emerge. In an outgoing angle, the Tribute Tower, a symbol of the city, popularly known as the Clock of the Pabellions, is advancing through the temple added in the 16th century with the bell that served to regulate the irrigations of the fertile plain. On one side, there is another quadrangular bastion, the White Tower. Linked to the

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castle are the fragments of walls, towers and doors that have survived the wall of the medina, of Almohad origin, completed in Nasrid times and reinforced by Christians. To the south we can distinguish the entrance in the corner of the door of Malaga and

to the north, the shutter of the Star. In front of the Plaza Alta, the monumental arch of the Giants opens, erected in 1585 as an open-air museum with inscriptions and sculptures that emphasize the classic roots of Antequera. Wherever the Aljama mosque was built between 1515 and 1550 the collegiate church of Santa Maria, today without worship, considered one of the best achievements of the Andalusian Renaissance. It has a basilical plan with three naves separated by Ionic columns and semicircular arches, under Mudejar wooden trusses and ribbed vault in the main chapel. Imposing is the façade, according to the model of the Italian cathedrals, based on sober compositions of architectural elements. Church of San Sebastian. Declared by its unmistakable tower. Diego de Vergara led from 1540 the construction of this parish elevated in 1692 to the dignity of Colegiata, remodeling at the end of the seventeenth and in the eighteenth century. Of Renaissance layout with gothic remnants and Baroque additions, it consists of three naves, with plateresque cover and a very important baroque tower in the antequerano landscape, erected between 1699 and 1706 by Andrés Burgueño. Related to the Baroque-Mudejar towers of other regions, it has octagonal brick profusely decorated. Museum Municipal, palace of NájeraIn a corner of the Coso Viejo, former site of public celebrations, stands the airy viewpoint of the palace of Nájera, eighteenth century mansion with a sumptuous courtyard of columns that houses the Municipal Museum. Its rich backgrounds range from archeology, especially Roman, to sacred art and painting, meaning especially the Ephebe of Antequera, magnificent Roman bronze from the 1st century from a villa, and the life- size image of San Francisco de Asis, work of the masterful Granada sculptor Pedro de Mena.

Day 10 DEPARTURE TRANSFER

Breakfast. Check out. Meet with your private driver and departure to Málaga airport to take your flight home.

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ð INCLUDED SERVICES:

• 9 x Allocation with half board at the following or similar 4**** hotels: § 9 x 4*, HALF BOARD Drinks included: water

• Private coach with 30-55 seats depending on the group size o For services indicates in the program

• English speaking local guide as it follows

o As indicated in the program

• Entrance fees included • Malaga: Alcazaba de Málaga • Ronda: Arab Baths • Sevilla: Cathedral and Alcazar of Sevilla • Córdoba: Mosque and Medina Azahara (with shuttle bus) • Granada: Alhambra Palace (not guarantee, we have to wait for Alhambra Administration confirmation and it has to be booked 4 months in advance, in case you may want them, you have to confirm the group immediately)

• Lunches included • Lunch in local restaurant Ronda • Lunch in local restaurant Sevilla • Lunch in local restaurant Córdoba • Lunch in local restaurant Granada • Lunch in local restaurant Antequera

• 24 hours Telephone attention by Viajes Karisma Team

• 1 FOC in Single room for the tour leader

ð NOT INCLUDED

• Lunch or dinner at local restaurants or hotels if are not specified in the program • Extra hours for local guides or coach • Not mentioned entrance fees • Changes in the program • Tips, Expenses of personal nature, Any not mentioned service

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GENERAL POINTS OF THE ISLAMIC ART

Musulmán Spanish art is an expression of Arab Art, who was born in Syria under the Byzantine influence. Islamic monuments are spread from India to the Pyrenees. With the Spanish conquest Moorish influences came to America. During the Umayyad dynasty (661-750 AD), whose capital was Damascus, Arab Art came into contact with the Byzantine and Syrian. During the second period the Abbasid dynasty (790-945 AD) the capital moved to Baghdad and get influences Mesopotamian art. Both politicians and Combi geographical breadth make an Arab art of various styles. The first mosques are very simple (eg A- Kufa in Iraq) but the influence of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine and rapid economic rise make art cannot resist the beautiful material.

- First: Taste for decoration and little interest in construction problems.

- Second: Decoration gypsum boards which are then inscribed on the wall.

- Third: Polychrome on drywall and glazed ceramics.

- Fourth: Great importance to the use of wood.

- Fifth: Natural decorations where animal subjects are excluded.

- Sixth: Based on themes geometric decoration and styling of plant motifs, Based on iteration or repetition of topics.

- Seventh: Systematic use of the column, arch, vault and dome.

- Eighth: The Art Arabe no sculptures, the Koran forbids the representation of the animated world. Water (pumps, fountains, baths and swimming pools) is the tuner element between the spirit and the world of sense.

- Ninth: Simplicity extraordinary exterior decoration. Beauty is in the interior. Because of this, cubic structures are topped by domes and half domes.

- Tenth: The monument par excellence is the mosque. Temple extaordianaria simplicity oriented toward Mecca. Comprising an open courtyard arquiería (Shan), a fountain (Sabeel) for pilgrims and a tower (Assomada) or minaret. The interior is dominated by a bottom wall oriented to Mecca (Kibla) and it is a niche to keep the Koran (Mirhab). The Koran, the sacred book copied by the Caliph and signed with blood. The immediate area is dedicated to the Caliph Kibla (Maxura).

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GLOSSARY

- Citadel: Citadel military inscribed on the grounds of the Alhambra.

- Alhambra (Alhambra-Calat) Red Castle-palace DePencier MPlayer for Ganadina Nazari Dynasty.

- Almohades: Islamic orthodox Koranic simplicity. They believe that the doctrine can not be proven rationally. Almorábides more dogmatic than the palaces but builds more mosques. They are characterized by the use of richly decorated and glazed ceramic. La Giralda and the Torre de Oro correspond to this mode.

- Almorábides: simplicity orthodox Islamic Koranic view that beliefs can be discussed rationally. Although faith is self-evident, it is reasonable. The Berber village dominating the Maghreb, reached its prevalence between 1075-1146 AD Were devoted to the construction of mosques.

- Mozarabic Art: Brother of Mudejar art. It forms are introduced in the Arab north and Christian melt.

- Mudejar Art: It takes its name from the builders that implement it. Subject Alarifes-Arab Christians. A term coined by historian José Amador de los Rios turns out essentially decorative style. Also the term used to identify typical Spanish architecture based on bricks, plaster, wood and tiles.

- Art Nazari: Nazari Granada is for the period (1231-1492). Started by Ben Yusuf and Nazar Mohammed ended under XI (Boabdil) - Trend artistic decorative bows at (arcs false); walls covered with plaster and glazed ceramic for the lower wall. Columns of thin shaft rings, capitals with vegetal and geometric designs, also develops decoration ribbon, which was perfected during the fourteenth century. The Alhambra is the most important monument of the Nazari dynasty.

- Visigothic art: It had its center in Toledo monarchy. Includes V-VIII centuries A.D. Essentially Roman Art.

- Boabdil (Mahammed XI): Last Muslim Caliph of the Nazari dynasty (1482-1492).

Caliph of the Prophet Muhammad Lieutenant, serves Islam to rule the world. Initially, the reigning Caliph appointed his successor, was Mauwiya I, founder of the Umayyad dynasty, who appointed his son and successor, the office became hereditary.

- Illuminated manuscripts: the book Art in its early Mozarabic (Christian under Muslim rule). Collect and serve the Christian liturgy as a political weapon of resistance to Muslim invaders (Asturias and Toledo).

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- Quran (Al-Quran): Next Reading, revealed book of Islam. The Archangel Gabriel was the mediator between Allah and the Prophet. In final form was collected in the first century AD 644 It is divided into 114 chapters or suras.

- Diaspora: The dispersion of the Jewish community to leave Palestine. In 70 A.D. under the Emperor Titus, suppressed the Jewish revolt and destroyed Jerusalem.

- The Generalife (Djemat-the Arif): Orchard high. Mansion and gardens in the grounds of the Alhambra.

- Ben-Yusuf-Nazar, ascended the throne of Granada to the decline of Almohad power. He started the Nazari dynasty (1231-1492).

- Muhammad A prophet or messenger of God (Allah), who was born in Mecca in 570 BC and died in 632 A.D.

- Mozarabic: Christians under Muslim rule.

- Mudejar: Muslims under Christian rule.

- Mauwiya I: He began the Umayyad dynasty (Umaya) in the 680 to beat the son of Muhammad Ali in the Battle of Sifín.

- Umayyad (Umaya) Caliphate Dynasty dominant Islamic world, AD 680-750

- Nazari Kingdom: Corresponding period Nazari, Granada, begun by Ysuf-Ben-Nazar (1231 AD) and finalized under Boabdil (1492 AD).

- Yadid I: Son of Mauwiya I, the Umayyad dynasty consolidated .

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