DK Travel : Andalucía and Costa del Sol : History & Culture

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Los Gallos

Despite its popularity with tourists, the atmosphere here is genuine. First-rate flamenco performers.
Manuel de Falla

Andalucían de Falla (1876–1946) was Spain’s finest classical composer. One of his major works,The Three-Cornered Hat , has its roots deep in flamenco.
Manuel Machado

The works of Machado (1874–1947), such as Cante Jondo , evoke a poetic passion for Andalucía.
Medina Azahara, Córdoba

Sadly now in ruins, this one-time splendid palace epitomized the city’s glory in the 10th century (see Medina Azahara).
Melkarth

The Phoenician’s name for Hercules, whom legend claims to have founded Andalucía.
Monasterio de San Jerónimo, Granada

This Renaissance magnum opus is largely the creation of Diego de Siloé, one of the great masters of the age. The façade’s upper window is flanked by sinuous mythological animals and medallions. Inside, the altar is complex and monumental, consisting of row upon row of high reliefs framed by columns.
Moorish Granada

The spectacular Alhambra palace is the gem of Spain’s Moorish heritage, while the adjacent Generalife offers sumptuous gardens (see Moorish Granada: The Alhambra).
Moorish Sophistication

The Moors were custodians of the best features of Roman civilization: religious tolerance, scientific and philosophical thought, and engineering and cultural refinements (see Moments in History). In the 10th century, under the Caliphate of Abd ar-Rahman III, Córdoba became the largest and wealthiest city in Europe.
Mosque, Almonaster La Real

Virtually unchanged for 1,000 years, this is one of the few surviving rural mosques in Andalucía and has the oldest mihrab (Mecca-facing prayer niche) in Spain.
Museo Arqueológico

This Renaissance-style pavilion was also one of the fabulous structures created for the 1929 Exposition and now houses Andalucía’s principal archaeological museum. The assemblage of artifacts ranges from Paleolithic finds, exhibited in the basement, to splendours of Roman and Moorish art, displayed on the upper floors. Outstanding are the Carambolo treasures of Tartessian gold, and the Roman sculpture collection is Spain’s most prestigious.