History
The Reconquista: Spain's 700-Year War
An overview of the centuries-long campaign by Christian kingdoms to recapture the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule, shaping modern Spain and Portugal.
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What is it?
The Reconquista ("reconquest") refers to the nearly 800-year period of intermittent warfare on the Iberian Peninsula, during which several Christian kingdoms sought to recapture territory from Muslim rule. This era began around 718 with the Battle of Covadonga, shortly after the Umayyad conquest of most of the peninsula in 711. The struggle was not continuous, featuring long periods of coexistence and alliances between Christian and Muslim rulers. It concluded in 1492 when the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, conquered Granada, the last remaining Muslim state on the peninsula.
Why is it trending?
The Reconquista remains a pivotal and often-debated period in European history. Its study is crucial for understanding the formation of Spain and Portugal as unified nations with strong Catholic identities. The era saw a complex interplay of conflict and cultural exchange between Christian, Muslim, and Jewish societies. The legacy of the Reconquista continues to influence discussions on national identity, religious conflict, and cultural heritage. Its conclusion also coincided with the start of the Age of Exploration, as the newly unified Spanish crown funded Columbus's voyage the same year Granada fell.
How does it affect people?
The Reconquista's impact was profound and long-lasting. It led to the political unification of Spain and the consolidation of power under a single monarchy. Its end brought about a policy of religious homogeneity, enforced by the Spanish Inquisition, which targeted non-Catholics. This resulted in the forced conversion or expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Muslims and Jews, causing immense suffering and a significant loss of cultural and economic diversity. The militant, religious zeal forged during the Reconquista also shaped the character of the subsequent Spanish Empire in the Americas.