a Spanish term, basically translated as "coexistence". It refers to the social climate during the Umayyad rule in Spain during the 8th-10th centuries. Although Muslims were in power, Christians and Jews lived among them harmoniously and could even be involved in government.

refers to the appropriation of the art of a subjugated people in order to exalt the appropriator's power. In the case of Spain, this is often referring to the Christian appropriation of Islamic visual elements or physical materials in order to show the power of the conquering Christians.

the utilization of another culture's or time period's art for one's own, therefore putting the art in a new context.

reused material. For instance, using marble or a reliquary from a previous time period or different culture for a new structure or object. Often there is some retension of the original ideas, but there is also a rethinking of the material or object as it is in a new context.

refers to both a type of art and a group of people within Spain's population. Muslims who live in Christian Spain, and also the art that they produce for Christians. From the Arabic term mudajjan, or "domesticated".

A style associated with much of Europe from the 12th-15th centuries, consisting of pointed arches, rib vaults, expansive structures, elaborate rose windows, stained glass windows, etc.

Ruled in Spain during the 12th-13th centuries. Sevilla was used as a capital until 1248 when the Christians "reconquered" the city.

The term used for the time period and ideology of the Spanish Christians during the 10th-15th centuries. Similar to the Crusades in the Holy Land, the Spanish Christians wanted to "take back" the lands that the Muslims controlled in Spain. This process took many years, eventually ending when Granada fell in 1492.

In 711, the Umayyad dynasty was being wiped out in the Middle East. One prince escaped to Spain, where he set up his kingdom as a continuation of the Umayyad dynasty that began in Jerusalem. This is the beginning of the spirit of convivencia.

a conical shaped box. Found throughout Ancient Greece and Rome, as well as medieval Spain and the Mediterranean as a whole. In Spain, they are often made from ivory.

In Cordoba, it is a royal enclosure, or the area around the mihrab that is accessible only to the caliph so he could enter the mosque for prayer without passing through the congregation.

the niche on the quibla wall to indicate the direction of Mecca, as Muslims must pray facing the holy city of Mecca. In Cordoba, it is a small room instead of a simple niche, covered in mosaic decorations.

an Islamic house of worship to accomodate the faithful for prayer. Often has a patio or courtyard as the entrance, where people could use the fountains to wash themselves before entering for prayer.

a title meaning "successor" or "deputy". The leader of the Muslim world, and during the Middle Ages, rival caliphs cropped up, who set up their own caliphate (court of the caliph).

a region in southern Spain, with coasts along the Mediterranean Sea. The major cities include Sevilla, Cordoba, and Granada. Al-Andalus is the Arabic name given the region for when it was ruled by Muslim dynasties. Eventually the name became latinized to Andalusia.

the wall in a mosque that contains the mihrab, as a pointer to Mecca for prayer.

ceiling ornaments formed by several layers of brick that look like natural stalactites.

Triumphalism:

Appropriation:

Spolia:

Mudejar:

Gothic Style:

Almohad Dynasty:

Reconquest:

Umayyad Dynasty:

Pyxis:

Maqsura:

Mihrab:

Mosque:

Caliph:

Andalusia,
or al-Andalus:

Qibla wall:

Muqarnas:

Convivencia:

Minbar:

Pulpit in a mosque, wheeled out for Fridays and stored elsewhere for the rest of the week.

Minaret:

tower or spire built on the side of a mosque, used as a call for prayer.