Madrid only European capital home to Islamic civilization: Spanish academic

MADRID, SPAIN-MARCH 23: Madrid remains the only Islamic civilization-oriented capital in Western Europe, although Cordoba or Granada are the first to cross minds when the Al-Andulus era in Spain from 711 - 1492 is mentioned. Of the 2 million Muslim tourists heading annually to Spain, a large number travel to the southern region of Andalusia, home to preserved relics from the Islamic era such as the Alhambra Palace, Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, Alcazar Palace and Medina Azahara. But just 75 kilometers (nearly 47 miles) from Toledo, which served as the most significant northern city during that time despite its ancient Roman origins, Madrid holds importance in Islamic history -- in name and historical relevance. Daniel Gil-Benumeya Flores, a professor of Arab and Islamic studies at Madrid's Complutense University, told Anadolu that Islamic Madrid began in the mid-8th century, around a century and a half after the establishment of Al-Andalus. "Madrid was part of Al-Andalus, the Muslim territory of the Iberian Peninsula, for 250 years. Even after being conquered by Christians, it still had a Muslim minority for another 500 years. So, there is a historical Islamic presence in Madrid, spanning approximately 700 years," he said. Underlining that the city was then sparsely populated, Flores added: "It was not really of great importance. (Footage by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)