The Catholic Monarchs

The Catholic Monarchs refer to King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, who ruled Spain in the late 15th century. Their marriage in 1469 united two of the largest kingdoms in Spain, fostering national unity. They completed the Reconquista by capturing Granada in 1492, ending Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. The same year, they sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyage, leading to the European discovery of the Americas. Their reign marked the beginning of Spain's rise as a global power and laid the groundwork for future exploration and colonization.