Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Mozarabic Parrishes


The Mozarabs were the Christians living under Muslim rule who adopted Islamic culture but retained their religion. They existed as dhimmi communities during the caliphate and taifa periods, roughly 750-1085.

Once Toledo was taken by Alfonso VI and brought into the Christian kingdom of Castilla, the Mozarabs maintained their cultural distinction, though their religious practices, particularly the Visigothic Mass, were soon challenged and replaced by the Roman Mass. Moreover, in the course of the late twelfth and thirteenth centuries, all of their older churches were rebuilt and expanded.

There were seven Mozarabic parrishes in Toledo in 1100. Many of those churches still survive, including this one, San Sebastian.

1 comment:

  1. I was not familiar with Mozarabs -- thanks for the history lesson.

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