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History

I love history and research. History defines "Today," it forms what will become "Tomorrow." How and why events unfurled, or, what makes something work?

Various Levels of Information

This website has various levels of information.

Many visitors seeking specific knowledge are high-school students, universities both teachers and students for masters' classes.

However, this region is vacation-popular. This site endeavours to provide useful advice for travellers in Andalucia with a slightly more in-depth accent on the historical events of Spain and Andalucia.

Memories

Memories have a sleek habit of creating unexpected best moments out of the smallest details...

Years ago, recently moved-over, my mother was informed that Malagüenian Comares (sun-dried raisin) wine, was excellent. It was nearly Christmas in Spain, I didn't yet drive, (my mother was an atrocious driver), I persuaded that our gardener should take us there.

We arrived on a local holiday. There was not a soul in sight. Every door was closed and windows were tightly-shuttered. Parking at the bottom of this tiny, windswept village - which perched on a soaring peak - we wandered up some sharply inclining streets (seemingly created for goat and donkey traffic only), seeking some sort of a commercial sign. Everything meandered on a sharp 90º incline.

Noticing my mother's increasing impatience, Francisco paused and knocked gently at one of those ubiquitously closed doors.

Soft treadfalls came to the door...but no-one opened it.
Francisco knocked again. We heard stiffled breathing within. After a long pause, a broken voice echoed hesitently, "¿Quien va?" ("Who's there?")

Francisco replied, "Gente de paz," ("Peaceful people,")

There was a further delay. The door opened the tiniest crack. The woman scrutinized us circumspectly. She was wrapped in many layers of clothes, obviously cold. Perceiving our aspect resembled, a sort of family, she relaxed and opened the door.

Francisco informed her of our quest. Unexpectedly she stepped into the street and hollered at the above flat. "Juan, Juan abre." ("Juan, Juan open up.")

As if on cue - nearly every persiana rolled-up. People peered at the commotion. A hosepipe was flung out the above window. It unfurled the exact distance of the parked car. Francisco raced down, (he had had the foresight to warn us to purchase and bring two 5 litre caskets), "¿Que vino quiere?" ("Which wine would you like?") We yelled up our choice.

Without warning, fluid gurgled and swelled the hosepipe. The caskets overflowed. Juan grumpily descended. We paid him less than a 1,000pts, having never even tasted the purchases.

Driving home, I asked, 'why' such a specific introduction.

"Stra Ana, we could have been contrabandistas or the Guardia Civil coming to arrest a family member," he paused hesitantly, "Without that particular introduction - they wouldn't have opened the door."

Our wine visit to Comares was in November of 1975. At that time, Franco was critically ill, days earlier he had appointed King Juan Carlos as his heir designate. (Within a month, Franco's assigned Prime Minister, Carrero Blanco, would be blown sky-high in a terroist attack.) Were the Guardia Civil so terrifying - or oppressive?
Those smugglers...Andalucia Travel Costa del Sol

My intention for this site, is to create an in-depth Geographical History of Andalucia

Andalucia: (the al-Andalus), during the initial Mooorish invasion, swept over the entire Iberian Peninsular and even up to Poitiers, France.

There are pages, whose subject originates from the Rome Empire, The Fertile Crescent, Mecca, The Islamic Empire, etc. To find the information-source, one must go back to the beginning: there is no other way to comprehend how events evolved and why.

Photography

Many of andalucia-andalusia.com's site-photographs have been published with the permission of Christine Harrison.

One Testimonial

This was an exceptional email which the site received. Eventually, the site-contents will become a coffee table book, just as this Swedish Don suggested...

"I am genuinely interested in and impressed by your site about Andalucia, and all the link attached.

I want to print all the content, all the beautiful pictures and the very intersting text but that will empty all the colour containers in the printer, and top of that, take a day for the job.

So my question is: does the content of your site already exist in print and if so, can I buy it from you?

For your information: I use your site and a few books about Moorish Andalucia as sources for lectures I am planning for the Seniors' University.

Thanking you in advance and my appreciation for an excellent site.

Yours

Torsten Persson."

History Forged Extensive Life-Chapters on the Iberian Peninsular

Spanish Art and Architecture over the passage of time. The unique monuments of Andalucia. Which invaders left more heritage: the Romans or Moorish Spain? What was the role of the Sephardic Jews...When the Moors were kicked out of Spain, what happened then? Can one still find their traces?

Many inhabited this vibrant land. Unique legacies were bequeathed over the centuries. Until one comprehends what happened - to and on this land - one cannot recognize the national character nor perceive The Soul of Spain.

Please, join me on this educational journey of Andalucia Spain.

Thanking you for your company,
Best Wishes,

Anne.

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