Timeline Al-Andalus

Al-Andalus

Dependent Emirate of Damascus

North African Invasions

Córdoba Caliphate

Independent Emirate

Kingdom of Granada

Taifa Kingdoms

Dependent Emirate of Damascus

711 - 756 A.D. The Muslims controlled practically the whole of the Iberian Peninsula except the mountainous areas in Cantabria and the Pyrenees. The Muslim dominions on the peninsula became part of the caliphate and became known as al-Andalus, whose capital was Córdoba. During the first few years, the Emir of al-Andalus was appointed by the North African governor or the Umayyad Caliph of Damascus himself.

Independent Emirate

756-929 A.D. In the year 750 A.D., the Abbasid family took control of the caliphate by assassinating all the members of the Umayyad dynasty except one of their princes, Abderramán. He escaped from Damascus to al-Andalus, where he managed to form an army with his followers and named himself Independent Emir of the caliphate in 756 A.D. Consequently, the Emirate of al-Andalus became a politically independent state, although the religious authority of the caliphs was recognised.

Córdoba Caliphate

929-1031 A.D. In the year 929 A.D., the Emir of al-Andalus, Abderramán III, named himself caliph, thereby uniting political power with religious authority. The most glorious period of al-Andalus began. The Christian kingdoms found it difficult to survive and suffered surprise attacks, such as those carried out by the general Almanzor. He sacked cities such as Barcelona, Pamplona, León and Santiago de Compostela.

Taifa Kingdoms

1031-1085 A.D. Internal fighting led to the break-up of the Córdoba Caliphate in 1031, which became divided into small independent kingdoms called taifas.

North African Invasions

1085-1212 A.D. North African peoples, first the Almoravids and later the Almohads, invaded al-Andalus and subdued the taifa kingdoms.

Kingdom of Granada

1212-1492 A.D. It was the last kindom to fall in the Reconquista. They recieved the name of Nazaríes. During this period, Granada was considered a reference in culture and art. It was also an important point for medicine and science. The kingdom was famous because os its palaces, such as the Palacio de los Nazarenos and the Real Alcázar de Granada. But the most known arquitectural achievement is the Alhambra.