Christian Reconquest

The Christian Reconquest, or Reconquista, refers to the period from the 8th to the 15th century when Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula (present-day Spain and Portugal) aimed to reclaim territory from Muslim rule, which began with the Umayyad conquest in the early 700s. This lengthy struggle saw various battles, alliances, and cultural exchanges, culminating in 1492 when the Kingdom of Granada, the last Muslim stronghold, fell to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. The Reconquista significantly shaped Spanish identity and history, leading to the eventual exploration and colonization of the Americas.