There is no doubting that Andalucia has evolved into one of the hottest holiday destinations in the world. Whether you want to hang out with the rich and famous in Marbella and Puerto Banus, windsurf in Tarifa or soak up the sun in Sevilla, there is no doubting the appeal of this fabulous part of Spain.
Andalucia´s rich history is almost as colourful as its people, and from humble beginnings, this region has evolved into one of Spain´s most flourishing provinces. Known as one of the most intriguing and historical parts of Spain, Andalucia owes a lot to its past rulers, who inhabited this region from 8,000 BC.
Neanderthal man was known to have lived on the Rock of Gibraltar 50,000 years ago, and around this time many North African tribes set up farming settlements nearby and became known as the Iberians. A chain of trading posts was formed by the Phoenicians around the Port of Cadiz in 1100 BC, making this one of Europe´s oldest cities. The Celts were the next tribe to reside across Southern Europe and Andalucia in 800 BC.
By 700 BC the Tartessus Kingdom was growing rapidly in the province, followed by the Greeks who founded trading ports along the shore. By the year 500 BC, the Carthaginians had colonised Southern Spain.
It wasn´t until 206 BC, along with the invasion by the Romans, that Andalucia began its transformation into one of the richest and flourishing colonies, with new roads and better organisation. The Romans sailed up the River Guadalquivir as far as Cordoba, where they loaded olive oil and wine to send to Rome. Spain became a Christian country whilst under Roman rule in the 4th Century, and the Spanish language, originally derived from Latin, began to take its current form.
When the Roman Empire collapsed, Andalucia was invaded by wave after wave of barbarian tribes from Northern Europe, until the Visigoths took over. Rule under the Visigoths was disorganised and chaotic but they ran the region for two centuries until the invasion of the Moors from Arabia and North Africa in the year 711. The region then became known as Al-Andalus.
Andalucia has been indelibly marked by the Moor´s rule which lasted 8 centuries, and much of today´s culture and architecture still bears witness to the legacy of Arab rule – The Alhambra Palace in Granada and the Mosque of Cordoba are two of the more famous.
The Christian reconquest took place in the 15th Century when Cordoba and Seville were seized from the Arabs, and by the end of the Century, the Catholic monarchs, Isabel of Castille and Ferdinand of Aragon reclaimed the last stronghold of the Moors – The Alhambra Palace.
During the 16th and 17th Centuries, under Christian rule, Seville became the main port for imports of gold from the New World, as the Guadalquivir was blocked by silt, and Cordoba could no longer be reached from the river. Seville´s world-famous Torre de Oro (Golden Tower), still stands today (although it is no longer covered in gold), and attracts tourists from far and wide.
Much of Spain´s new wealth, which came from the import of gold, was used to finance the wars waged by the country´s Hapsburg Monarchy against the Lutheran countries in Northern Europe and against the Ottoman Turks in the Mediterranean. As the revenue from the Americas decreased, Spain and Andalucia sunk into economic decline.
The country then suffered the Spanish War of Succession in the early 18th Century, and a hundred years later, the Napoleonic invasion, followed by the Battle of Trafalgar, which started the War of Independence. For the rest of the 19th Century, Spain was hit hard by the effect of the Independence Movement in South America.
The loss of Spain´s last colonies – Cuba and the Philippines quickly followed, which led to political instability and further economic decline. In 1913, Blas Infante, known as the father of Andalucia, declared that the province should be given independence. At the same time, opposition to the then king, Alfonso XIII, was increasing – resulting in the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.
The republic was overthrown in 1936 by General Franco and his Nationalist Movement. Although Spain did not side with any country during World War II, Franco openly lent his support to the Axis – which resulted in Spain suffering an international blockade after the war was over. Democracy was not restored to the country until Franco died in 1975, and the monarchy of King Juan Carlos II was then put in place. The Spanish government was then decentralised, and Andalucia became an autonomous region in 1982.
The province has, till this day, its own regional administration known as the Junta de Andalucia.
Dramatic improvements have been made to the general standard of living in Andalucia and throughout the country since 1982, and Spain is now an active member of the European Union. Improved roads, better healthcare and an increase in tourism have seen a massive economic upturn in the region, while it still retains its original charm and beauty.
The rest, as they say, is history, and with the introduction of more budget flights to Europe, plus nearly 1 million UK expats in the region, there are is no shortage of things to see and do. Boasting some of the best restaurants, beaches and cuisine in Spain, Marbella and Puerto Banus top the list of top holiday destinations in Andalucia. If you are looking for culture and history, visit the Mezquita in Cordoba or the incredible Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede, in Sevilla. With over 320 average days of sunshine every year, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore Andalucia at your own pace. | |
