Architectural Marvels of Al-Andalus

Morning:

• Excursion to the Moorish Castle (Sintra) – Examination of defensive walls and military architecture
• Visit to Pena Palace – Exploring Mudéjar design influences

Afternoon:

• Travel to Mértola – "The Islamic Museum City"
• Guided visit to Mértola Islamic Museum – Architectural evolution of religious and residential buildings
• Visit to the Former Mosque of Mértola – Preservation of Islamic religious spaces

Evening:

• Photography session: Capturing Islamic design elements in Mértola

Morning:

• Visit to Silves Castle – Almohad military architecture and water systems
• Exploration of the cisterns of Silves – Islamic hydraulic engineering

Afternoon:

• Islamic Museum of Tavira – Study of architectural fragments and Islamic-era pottery
• Analysis of Tavira's urban design – Integration of Islamic planning in modern cities

Evening:

• Discussion on the transition of Islamic architecture post-Reconquista

Morning:

• Travel to Seville, Spain

Afternoon:

• Visit to the Real Alcázar of Seville – Study of Mudéjar architecture and Islamic ornamentation
• Exploring the Patio de las Doncellas – Geometric patterns and stucco techniques

Evening:

• Dinner with a lecture on Mudéjar influences in Spain

Morning:

• Tour of Giralda Tower & Seville Cathedral – Islamic minaret transformation into a Christian bell tower
• Photography session: Geometric patterns & calligraphy in Islamic architecture

Afternoon:

• Technical workshop: Islamic decorative arts and tile-making – Hands-on experience with Andalusian ceramics

Evening:

• Sunset tour along the Guadalquivir River – Understanding Islamic urban riverfront planning

Morning:

• Visit to the Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba – Structural and decorative analysis
• Lecture: Evolution of Islamic and Christian architectural integration

Afternoon:

• Guided tour of the Jewish Quarter & Calleja de las Flores – Tracing the architectural transitions
• Study of Arabic inscriptions in the Mezquita

Evening:

• Dinner with a discussion on Umayyad architectural innovations

Morning:

• Excursion to Medina Azahara – The grand city-palace of the caliphate
• Architectural study of the palatial structures

Afternoon:

• Technical workshop: Islamic arches & vault construction techniques
• Visit to Medina Azahara Museum – Detailed analysis of discovered artifacts

Evening:

• Return to Córdoba & photography session at sunset

Morning:

• Travel to Granada
• Guided tour of the Alhambra Palaces – Symmetry, muqarnas, arabesques

Afternoon:

• Exploration of Generalife Gardens – Water systems and landscape design
• Analysis of Arabic inscriptions throughout the Alhambra

Evening:

• Photography session: Sunset over the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolás

Morning:

• Walking tour of the Albaicín – Traditional Andalusian houses and urban planning
• Visit to Carmen de los Mártires – Study of garden and irrigation techniques

Afternoon:

• Technical workshop: Islamic calligraphy in architecture

Evening:

• Dinner at an authentic Arab restaurant

Morning:

• Travel to Toledo
• Guided visit to the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz – One of the best-preserved mosques in Spain

Afternoon:

• Exploring Toledo’s medieval streets – Interplay of Islamic, Christian, and Jewish architecture

Evening:

• Discussion on Islamic architectural legacy in Spain

Morning:

• Visit to the Islamic Collection at the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid
• Study of architectural fragments from Al-Andalus

Afternoon:

• Lecture at a university or cultural center on Islamic architectural conservation

Evening:

• Farewell dinner in a traditional Mudéjar-style restaurant

Morning:

• Free time for last visits
• Transfer to the airport