In 711, Tariq ibn Ziyad led the Umayyad troops to Hispania, conquering the Visigothic kingdom after the victory at Guadalete. By 722, the battle of Covadonga in Asturias marked the outset of resistance against Muslim rule. In 1492, the fall of Granada ended the Islamic dominion in Al-Andalus, initiating the Reconquest. However, scholars like Eduardo Manzano Moreno argue that the term is an ideological construct rather than an accurate historical description.
Within this debate arises the book “¡Reconquista! ¿Reconquista? Reconquista” challenging the traditional narrative. Historians like Ana Isabel Carrasco Manchado critique the nationalistic undertones of the term and propose alternative concepts to describe the period. The political uses of the Reconquest have been critiqued by experts like Francisco García Fitz and Javier Albarrán, shedding light on the complex history of Al-Andalus.
Maribel Fierro and David Hernández de la Fuente emphasize the need for impartial research on Islamic heritage to counter prevailing myths. Despite efforts to redefine historical narratives, figures like Santiago Abascal of Vox continue to perpetuate nationalistic ideologies tied to the Reconquest.
The discussion around the Reconquest underscores the importance of critically examining historical narratives and their impact on national identity. Moving forward, it is crucial to deconstruct myths and biases to present a more nuanced understanding of the past.