3. Al-Andalus was a great cultural centre during the
Middle Ages in Europe (especially during the Caliphate
of Cordoba).
Important scholars in Al-Andalus:
Ibn Hazm (historian, philosopher & poet)
Abulcasis (medicine)
Maslama al-Majriti (astronomer)
4. Poem by Ibn Hazm
He also wrote “The Ring of the Dove” (“El collar de la paloma” o “Tawq al-
hamāma”), a treatise on the art and practice of Arab love in Al-Andalus
(in English; in Spanish)
5. Medical encyclopedia of Abulcasis
Abulcasis is considered the “father” of modern surgery.
Eg: the 1st to use silk thread to sew up surgical cuts.
Page from a 1531 Latin translation
of “El Zahrawi's” treatise on
surgical and medical instruments
6. Other cultural achievement...
NUMBERS!!!
Our current numerical system is
an evolution of the one that the
Muslims brought to Europe!!!
Historian think that it was
invented in India, and the
Muslims spread it.
7. B) ART
The Muslim Art developed in the Iberian Peninsula is known as
“ANDALUSÍ ART”.
Most important periods & artistic achievements:
EMIRAL &
CALIPHAL ART
· Mosque of
Cordoba
· Palace of
Medina
Azahara
(Cordoba)
EARLY TAIFAS
· Aljafería
Palace
(Zaragoza)
· Alcazaba
(Málaga)
ALMOHAD
PERIOD
· Giralda
(Sevilla)
· Torre del Oro
(Sevilla)
NASRID ART
· Alhambra
(Granada)
8. Its construction began in 785 under Abderraman I.
Due to population growth, new additions were made later:
• 1st extension: Abderraman II
• 2nd extension: Al-Hakam II
• 3rd extension: Almanzor
In the 13th Century (1236), Cordoba was conquered by the
Christians and the mosque was made a Catholic church.
During the following centuries, several Christian features
were added.
ANIMATION OFTHE ADDITIONS OFTHE MOSQUE:
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2001/graficos/mayo/semana3/mezquita/presentacion.html
EXPLORETHE MOSQUE!! http://www.catedraldecordoba.es/index.asp
10. In the 13th Century (1236), Cordoba was conquered by the
Christians and the mosque was made a Catholic church. During the
following centuries, several Christian features were added.
12. PRAYER HALL:
several naves separated by
double arches (give greater
elevation to the building)
• Lower arch horseshoe
• Higher arch semicircular
18. Palace-city.
Built by Abderraman III in the 10th Century.
Located in the outskirts of Córdoba.
It was built to be the capital of the Caliphate of Cordoba:
Royal residence
Seat of the government
Today only ruins remain.
22. 11th Century (1st Taifas)
Where the kings of the Taifa
de Saraqusta (Zaragoza) lived.
Polylobed arches made of
stucco*.
* STUCCO:
weather-resistant
mixture of lime,
powdered marble &
water.
23. 11th Century (Taifa
period)
Fortified-palace; where
governors lived.
24. 12th Century (Almohad period)
Used to be the minaret of the old
Mosque of Sevilla (today it’s the bell
tower of the Cathedral of Sevilla).
25. Early 13th Century (Almohad
period)
Defensive watchtower to
control the access to Sevilla via
the Guadalquivir River.
Polygon shape. Battlements.
27. 13th – 15th Centuries (Nasrid period)
Comes from the Arab word «al-Ħamrā» (اء َرْمَحْلَا) which means
“The red”, due to the red clay of the bricks with which it’s built.
28. It’s a fortified palace, formed by two parts:
a) ALCAZABA Military purpose.
b) PALACE COMPLEX Civil purpose.
PALACE COMPLEX
30. PALACE COMPLEX
b) PALACE COMPLEX Civil purpose.
It consists of several palaces built around
courtyards with fountains & gardens:
1
2
1: Palace of Comares
2: Palace of the Lions
32. 1: PALACE OF COMARES:
• Around the “Patio de los
Arrayanes”.
• It housed the public rooms
where the caliph had the
throne & held the hearings.
2: PALACE OF THE LIONS:
• Around the “Patio de los
Leones”.
• It housed the private rooms
where the caliph lived.
35. These palaces were built
with poor materials to
hide them, they used a lot
of decoration:
• Very colourful
• Covered walls & ceilings
• On ceramic tiles, stucco
& wood
36. Next to the palaces there are many
fountains & gardens