The Battle of Guadalete in 711 is traditionally regarded as the event that began the Muslim conquest of much of the Iberian Peninsula. Forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeated the Visigothic kingdom, beginning centuries of Islamic rule in Spain.
The Battle of Guadalete in 711 is traditionally regarded as the event that began the Muslim conquest of much of the Iberian Peninsula. Forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeated the Visigothic kingdom, beginning centuries of Islamic rule in Spain. Although historians continue to debate some details of the battle, its importance in Spanish history is undeniable. It marked one of the greatest political transformations in medieval Europe. The area around the Guadalete River offers peaceful countryside, historic towns and opportunities for travellers to explore Andalucía beyond the main tourist routes.
