#almohads

the Almohads must have been a big fan of chess

Flag of morocco during the reign of the Almohads (12th century)

Flag of Morocco during the Almohad dynasty (1121-1269). It's a chessboard that symbolized the victory of Islam's arguments over other religions and philosophies like Christianity. Almohads played a key role in spreading chess as we know it today to Spain and thus the West.

The Crystal Crux Series covers ten days in August 1198. In Chapter 14, we have gone back five months to a banquet hall in Parthenope and the beginning of Pero’s woes. Taking advantage of his influence with the Court in Spain, Pero developed trade relations with the Almohads. Circumventing the provost office in Parthenope, he signed a treaty. The Crystal Crux Series books are not historical…

my life got flipped turned upside down

And I'd like to take a minute

Just sit right here

I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Tangier

In Southern Iberia born and raised

In Córdoba was where I spent most of my days

Chillin' out, maxin', relaxin', all cool

And all spice tradin', and prayin' with my Almohad dudes

When a couple of guys who were up to no good

Declared a Reconquista in my neighborhood

I got in one huge war and Seville wasn't spared

The beautiful Albayzín, district of present day Granada. It retains the narrow winding streets of its Medieval Moorish past. It was declared a world heritage site in 1984, along with the more famous Alhambra. The oldest part of the medina dates to the 11th century, when the Zirids founded Granada as their new capital. Later constructions were added by the Almohads and the Nasrids.