By Kayla Ruggiero

The architecture of Al-Andalus was thoughtfully designed with religion, climate, and cultural values in mind, resulting in structures that were both spiritually significant and practically suited to life in the region. This story map explores how these buildings intertwined religious and functional purposes in Islamic society, from places of worship and community life to private homes. While Morocco still retains the original structures of Al-Andalus, southern Spain, following the Catholic reconquest, saw many of these structures either destroyed or adapted to accommodate Christian practices. These adaptations reveal that Islamic and Christian religious practices, though historically in conflict, shared more similarities in spatial and functional needs than is often acknowledged. The continued use and transformation of these buildings illustrate a complex history of religious continuity and adaptation.