Muslim Conquest of Spain

The Muslim conquest of Spain occurred in the early 8th century when Muslim forces from North Africa, mainly Moors, invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 711 CE. They quickly defeated the Visigothic Christian kingdom, establishing control over much of Spain and Portugal. This led to nearly 800 years of Muslim rule, during which there was cultural, scientific, and architectural growth, including the famous Alhambra palace. The period also saw complex interactions between Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The Islamic presence in Spain gradually diminished, culminating with the Reconquista, finished in 1492 with the fall of Granada.