Explore five exceptional sites of Moorish legacy in Andalusia

In Cordoba, the mosque founded in the 8^th century by Abd al-Rahman I marked a turning point in the history of  Islamic architecture in the West. You enter this sumptuous building through the Orange Tree Courtyard where rows of trees threaded together by irrigation ditches create a refreshing entrance featuring shade and water. Inside, the prayer hall is simply breathtaking: 850 columns made of marble, granite or jasper supporting two tiers of red and white arches.

In fact, the architects superposed the arcades to raise the roof without crowding the space with more columns, a bold new technique which has become the monument’s visual signature. The perfectly aligned pillars draw our eyes towards the center, to the Baroque nave, a 16^th century addition crowned with a Byzantine-inspired cupola. All around, the rectangular enclosure, the ablutions portal, the hall of columns and the minaret immortalize the architectural style of great Arab mosques.

At the eastern edge of Andalusia, the Alcazaba overlooks the Gulf of Almeria from a rocky outcrop facing the Mediterranean. Founded in the 10^th century by Abd al-Rahman III, this citadel stretches across three successive enclosures: the first has preserved its oldest elements including crenelated ramparts, watchtowers, cisterns, hammam and the remains of the palatial mosque. Enjoy a stroll along its paths lined with gardens and basins, where the orderly layout and profusion of water and greenery will remind you of Andalusian medinas.

In the more recent upper section, you can access military quarters built after the Reconquista. Here, in the Garden of the Ramparts (Jardines de los Adarves), complete with a watchtower and long, linear walkways, you are struck by the seamless concord of defensive strategy and Islamic aesthetics. Looking southward, the flat roofs of the former medina seem to melt into the arid outlines of the surrounding hills.

In Seville, the silhouette of the Giralda rises above the cathedral like a living memory of Al-Andalus. Built at the end of the 12^th century, this 97-meter Almohad minaret stands on a square base and still boasts original architectural elements: blind arches, interlaced brick patterns and windows set two by two.

Inside, you won’t have to climb stairs, but rather a wide ramp, designed to allow men on horseback to reach the upper levels. At the top of the building, the Christian Renaissance added a bell tower and a bronze weather vane, without detracting from its soaring beauty. From the viewing platform, you enjoy a stunning cityscape dotted with former Moorish palaces in the Santa Cruz district.

In eastern Andalusia, the Alhambra stretches majestically above Grenada like a city in its own right. Built in the 8^th century during the Nasride dynasty, it embodies every aspect of Andalusian Islamic architecture. Your visit takes you through column-lined courtyards, into rooms resplendent with sculpted stucco and by basins of crystal-clear water. Verses from the Koran and praises to Allah copied in Arab calligraphy can be found in the friezes and on vaulted ceilings.

At the center, the Court of the Lions is built around a fountain held up by twelve marble lions, showcasing the bold craftsmanship of Nasride artisans. As you stroll through, admire the soaring columns and the light filtering through the multifoil arches. Farther on, the Generalife is the epitome of an Arab-Andalusian garden: landscaped terraces, canals, water stairs and the shade of cypress trees to enhance the refreshing ambiance.

Just below the old town of Ronda, in the Arroyo de las Culebras district, the Arab baths are the best-preserved Moorish spa complex in Spain. Built at the end of the 8^th century, they are laid out like a classic hammam with three rooms—cold, warm and hot—, each supplied by a network of pipes heated by the floor.

Raise your eyes to admire the vaulted ceilings: a stream of light shines through star-shaped openings that formerly served as steam vents. On the brick walls and horseshoe arches, you can still see the patina left by generations of bathers. Continue along the neighboring river to reach the old water mill, the remains of the system that provided a constant water supply for the baths. A fascinating glimpse into the Moorish lifestyle.