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Procession celebrating the Christian Reconquista , Elche
MICHAEL TAYLOR
The Christian Reconquista
The Christian Reconquest of Iberia began in about 722 at Covadonga, Asturias,
and ended with the fall of Granada in 1492. It was a stuttering affair, conducted by
Christian kingdoms that were as often at war with each other as with the Muslims.
An essential ingredient in the Reconquista was the cult of Santiago (St James), one
of the 12 apostles. In 813 the saint's supposed tomb was discovered in Galicia. The
city of Santiago de Compostela grew here, to become the third-most popular medi-
eval Christian pilgrimage goal after Rome and Jerusalem. Santiago became the in-
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