Local History

Andalucia is one of the sunniest regions in Europe offering sun drenched beachers, golf course, marinas and much much more. However somtimes visitors allude to the extraodinary diversity of this area, its history and culture which is witnessed by venturing into its beautiful countryside. Andalucia is at a junction of land and sea routes and as such has always been open to invasion and colonisation.

It has the oldest remains in Europe of the prehistoric period dating back 2million years. Cave houses (still a traditional habitat in some areas) have given up there treasures of fine cave paintings depicting the way of life through this period and there are some others dating back to 4000 BC.

The Iberians and the Teressions established there kingdom of Tartessus during the first millenium, They were followed by the Phoenicians and Carthagians who were traders. In the expansion of the Roman empire they were again colonised. The Romans brought Christianity, developed the mines (gold, silver and copper) and grew a variety of agricultural products (this area now provides most of the UK's fruit and vegetables). What is now called Andalucia became one of the wealthiest parts of the Roman Empire.

By the eighth century, and after internal unrest, the way was opened up to the Moorish invasion from the straits of North Africa and within a decade the invaders had conquered most of the peninsular which then became part of the Muslim Empire. Eight centuries passed and the area continued to develop. Cordoba grew to be one of the largest, wealthiest and most cultural cities in the western world. However the re-conquest by the Christians, although gradual, culminated in the fall of Granada in 1492 (This coincided with the first voyage of Christopher Columbas to the New World).

The 19th and 20th centuries found Spain and particularly Andalucia in the doldrums. History speaks of Spain loosing its possesions in the conflicts between France and Netherlands. The latter part of the 20th Centur saw the revival of Spain, when joining the EU and Nato, with rapid economic growth and in this area, tourism and agriculture.