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Andalucian History

Andalucia’s history is thought to date back to around 8,000 BC when North African tribes, who became known as Iberians, settled in the area. The Phoenicians later moved in and colonised some of the coastal areas including Cadiz in 1,100 BC which became Europe’s largest city at the time. By this stage there was already much Iberian influence and after the Phoenicians had diminished the Carthaginians became the dominant force in the region and used the strategic coastal areas. By 206 BC the Romans invaded and renamed the area Betica, building roads and using the ports to take goods back to Rome. During their 700 years in power the Romans transformed Spain into a rich colony, founded the historic city of Italica and trampled and crushed the natives.

Before the Muslims advanced there were brief periods of Vandal and Visigoth interference, while the Byzantines also tried to take control before the eighth century. In 711 the Moors made attempts to take land from the Visigoths and by 718 they had taken full control and changed the name Betica to Al-Andalus. From this time on the Muslim culture heavily influenced the region – universities were established, there were contributions to medicine, astronomy, mathematics and philosophy. Cordoba took on much importance and was home to the Caliphate while other cities constructed the likes of the Alhambra Palaces and gardens, the Mezquita, the Giralda towers and the Torre del Oro.

By 1248 the empire began to fall and Sevilla was indeed taken back at the height of the Reconquista. It took until 1492 for the last remnants of the empire in Granada to be conquered when Isabella and Ferdinand took the remaining strongholds. This led straight on to a time of Spanish conquest in Latin America initiated by Columbus’ setting sail from the port at Huelva and then followed by the bringing back of gold and other such captures. Later, the independence of Latin America hit Andalucia hard and then with the independence of Cuba and the Philippines there was a certain instability and decline.

In 1913 Blas Infante began a fight for independence for Andalucia but the outcome was not reached until 1982 when the region was granted autonomy thanks to the new constitution after the death of General Franco.

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