Architecture of al-Andalus. Spaces and visions

2nd – 28th June, 2023.

Archaeological and Historical Museum of Baena (Córdoba). Casa de la Tercia. C/ Santo Domingo de Henares, 5

The rich legacy of al-Andalus is showcased in  the exhibition Architecture of al-Andalus. Spaces and visions, organized by the Andalusian Public Foundation El legado andalusí and the Town Council of Baena (Cordoba). Through stunning large-format photographs, this exhibit takes the visitor on a journey through some of the most captivating examples of this past that still echo in our region today. From South to North, from East to West, it reveals a diverse range of spaces that were inhabited in al-Andalus: citadels and castles, walls, towers, palaces, mosques, minarets, baths, cisterns and water reservoirs. It is an invitation to explore the numerous places that are part of our environment and evoke the rich heritage of al-Andalus.

Eight centuries of history in al-Andalus has left their mark on a number of aspects of life in the Iberian Peninsula: our language, customs and traditions, our literature, our art…

The architecture of al-Andalus, with its striking examples from the Umayyad to the Nasrid period, is an integral part of our everyday landscape and continues to captivate us. From the new Christian inhabitants who preserved and even built using Andalusi models to the Romantic travellers who sought out the “exoticism” of our Andalusi past since the 18th century, we are all drawn to its charm.

This exhibition, organized by El Legado Andalusí Andalusian Public Foundation, features a stunning collection of photographs and museum pieces of its own. The exhibition showcases a wide range of spaces, from small rural buildings to grand architectural wonders like the Mosque of Cordoba, the Giralda of Seville, and the Alhambra of Granada. Each image is accompanied by an informative explanatory sheet to enrich the viewer’s understanding.

In addition to the photographs, this exhibition also features models of buildings and decorative architectural elements. The collection is further enriched with a unique assortment of original 19th-century engravings depicting these magnificent structures, offering valuable insights into their history and significance. The exhibition discloses the enduring fascination that these architectural marvels have always held for their visitors.