The mudéjar style of architecture emerged in Andalucía during the 12th century as Romanesque, with its close links to France and Italy, spread through northern and central Spain. The style, unique to southern Spain and lasting into the 16th century, flourished in each region as it was reconquered by the Christians.

There is much illustrated information available in museums throughout Andalucía about the life and culture of prehistoric man. This has generally been pieced together through archaeological discoveries of their tools and household goods; but of prehistoric architecture little remains.

Classic Gothic architecture, overlapping with the mudéjar style, spread through Andalucía from the 14th century with the Reconquest. As the Christians recovered the towns and cities there was a big movement to build churches. The design is characterised by vertical lines, lofty pointed arches and high ceilings.

Baroque and Neoclassic architecture was prominent in Spain between the late 17th and mid 18th Century. These two styles were not as influenced by the Muslim world as the majority of Andalucian architectural styles. Baroque dates back to the late 17th century and reached a peak in the 18th century. Andalusia was one of the places where Baroque blossomed most brilliantly.

Baroque dates back to the late 17th century and reached a peak in the 18th century. Andalusia was one of the places where Baroque blossomed most brilliantly.

The horseshoe arch, first seen in small churches erected by the Visigoths, was developed by the Moors and became the hallmark of their architecture; the Grand Mosque in Córdoba being the classic and most well known example. Other design characteristics brought from Syria by the Umayyads in the 8th century were plant motifs and decorative inscriptions of calligraphy running horizontally across walls or around doorways.

When people think of the history of Gibraltar they often think in terms of the bloody 18th century sieges when Spain tried to regain the Rock from the British. However, the history of Gibraltar very much reflects that of the Mediterranean and it could indeed be argued that it reflects that of man himself.

An historical overview of Andalucia from the prehistoric beginnings through the Romans and the History of Spain, Jews in Spain, Moors, through the Dark Ages, the Reconquest, Christian rule, Christian rule, Spain's First Constitution, the Bourbons to Andalucia moves with Europe.

Mark Williams takes the reader through the history of Spain in a descriptive way, unravelling the history of what he portrays to be Europe most fascinating country. The first page introduces us to the Romans in Spain and traces the reader through important topics such as Medieval Spain, Moorish Spain, the Spanish War and the Age of Franco.

This festival is more popular in the east of Andalucia in the mainly provinces of Granada and Almeria, It takes place on different many days through out the year depending on the locality.

Today the Sierra Nevada ski resort is a thriving centre of activity, but little over a century or so ago, it was nothing more than an isolated area within the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

The runway was first established during the Second World War on the southern half of the 'neutral zone'. During the sieges this had been an un-demarcated strip of sand on the isthmus separating the British and Spanish lines of fortifications. It was said to be the distance of a canon ball's range. In 1813 it was used by Gibraltar as a Yellow fever encampment. In 1909 the British erected a fence and gate half way along. Between the world-wars Gibraltar marked out a horse-racing track.

The town's magnificent castle, now called Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle), dates from Roman times, although earlier Iberian ceramics have been found in its water tank. The castle was expanded by the Visigoths and then further extended by the Arabs into a fortress, after the Moors invaded in 714.

The history of the Málaga-Costa del Sol International Airport is a story well worth telling. And it all began with an intrepid French engineer and entrepreneur Pierre-Georges Latécoère, considered by many to be the trailblazer that eventually led to the creation of Air France.

Jerez de la Frontera dates from Phoenician times, but first rose to prominence under the Moors, who called it Xerix or Sherrich ‘De la Frontera’. These names refer to Jerez’s position on the frontier of Moorish Spain, and the Alcazar (fortress) is a reminder of the town’s strategic importance.

The most striking thing about the Mezquita is that, incongruously, the "mosque" contains a Christian church (Cordoba's cathedral). What one sees from outside is confusing indeed: a huge, flat-roofed low-lying square building with a gigantic baroque church jutting up in the middle like a rather unsightly stone wedding-cake.

In Estepona various tools have been found made from local flint or quartzite using methods attributed to the Neanderthal era. Since we know the now-extinct Neanderthals lived in Gorham's cave in Gibraltar it raises the possibility that 30,000 years ago they were the first human (or at least humans' relatives) inhabitants of Estepona. These tools have been found in the Corominas and at Arroyo Vaquero.

Throughout the millennia, the Alpujarra has been the setting for countless historical events, remaining silent witness to them all. The Syrians and Phoenicians were the first people to establish commercial relations with the indigenous communities of the Spanish Mediterranean, and they may have been the founders of Sex (Motril), Ábdera (Adra), Sexi (Almuñecar).

According to historical archives, the remains found in the Caves del Moro, de la Higuerilla, and de la Paloma indicate that the earliest settlements recognised in the area were megalithic.

The tourist office of La Calahorra is located in the Town Hall.

If you are considering visiting this town you will be interested to check the latest weather forecast for the next few days from the table below.