Damascus, Jan. 15 (SANA) From the streets of Damascus to the squares of Granada, Syria’s influence on Spanish architecture has been entrenched for centuries. What began with the Phoenician settlers who crossed the Mediterranean Sea developed into a cultural exchange that formed the fabric of Andalusian cities.
Archaeological evidence, such as the Phoenician sarcophagus in Cádiz, highlights early links between the Levant and the Iberian Peninsula. Later, during the Islamic era, Syrian craftsmen brought decorative patterns, arches, and building techniques that blended with local traditions, creating what was known as the Moorish style. The Great Mosque of Cordoba, with its multi-colored arches inspired by mosques in the Levant, remains a prominent example of this synthesis.
Cities such as Seville and Granada have often been compared to their Syrian counterparts, even given nicknames such as “Homs of Andalusia” or “Damascus of Andalusia.” Narrow streets, courtyard houses, and public spaces reflected the urban fabric of classical Syrian cities.
Even after the fall of Andalusia, Syrian aesthetics continued to resonate in Spanish architecture and reappeared in later buildings, such as the Naranco Palace complex. Today, this legacy is not limited to stone and arches alone, but extends to collective memory as well, as Syrian cities name their streets and shops after Granada and Cordoba, a reminder of their deep-rooted cultural ties.
