Religions In Spain

Drawing from both Christian and Islamic sources, Reconquest and Crusade in Medieval Spain demonstrates that the clash of arms between Christians and Muslims in the Iberian peninsula that began in the early eighth century was transformed into a crusade by the papacy during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Successive popes accorded to Christian warriors willing to participate in the peninsular wars against Islam the same crusading benefits offered to those going to the Holy Land.

In just over a hundred years - from the death of Muhammad in 632 to the beginning of the Abbasid Caliphate in 750 - the followers of the Prophet swept across the whole of the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain. Their armies threatened states as far flung as the Franks in Western Europe and the Tang Empire in China. The conquered territory was larger than the Roman Empire at its greatest expansion, and it was claimed for the Arabs in roughly half the time.

A gothic fiction book set in the heart of Madrid, Spain during the unrest and superstition of the late 18th century."Tragic Bargain With Lucifer" chronicles the dark and complex path of Alfonso, a respected monk, whose life takes an unexpected turn towards betrayal, deceit, and a chilling pact with the devil. The Rise of Alfonso The narrative begins with Alfonso, a monk held in high regard for his eloquence and holiness. His captivating charisma catches the young, innocent Isabella's attention, a newcomer to the bustling city of Madrid. As the story unfolds through multiple twists and well-...

Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the history of the Islamic world through its religion, thinkers, poetry, empire and rulers 'An ever-growing library of wisdom' The Economist Since 1998, In Our Time has been the go-to radio programme for knowledge seekers and inquiring minds. Tackling big topics...

As two of the most Catholic countries, religious holidays are bountiful in both Spain and Portugal, where many of the same feast days and ferias are celebrated. Of Portugal’s 13 annual legal holidays, seven – more than half – are religious. Spain has ten national holidays of which seven – 70% -- are also based on religious observances.

The notorious Spanish Inquisition in the 15th century, the subject of multiple documentaries, movies, and other pop culture mediums, is remembered for its oppression, barbarous torture, and religious tyranny. It was roughly around this time that a period of European exploration began.

Explore the rise and fall of a medieval cultural melting pot where three rival faiths forged a fragile coexistence. Whether you are commuting or seeking deep intellectual focus, this immersive historical journey brings the vibrant markets and grand mosques of ancient Iberia directly to your ears...

Part travelogue, part reportage, part autobiography, The Sign of the Cross is the story of Colm Tóibín's religious pilgrimage across Europe. Between 1990 and 1994, Colm Tóibín made a series of trips through Catholic Europe. His journey led him into close contact with people from all walks of...