At Mandala Tours, we specialize in religious tourist destinations: many of the countries in our catalog have a Muslim majority, but we also delve into iconic places for other faiths, such as Christian holy sites in Muslim territory. However, our network of collaborators extends much further and allows you to enjoy the opposite: Islamic tourist icons, of great value to Muslim travelers that are found in countries with a majority of another religion. Here we give you a good sample of this
Andalusia, Spain
Mandala Tours’ central offices are in Andalusia, specifically in Granada. And we know this region like the back of our hand. Therefore, we know that southern Spain arouses special interest among Muslim travelers, fascinated by the refinement of the culture and monuments of ancient Al-Andalus, the name by which the part of the Iberian Peninsula under Muslim rule was known during the Middle Ages: Umayyad emirate/caliphate, Almoravid and Almohad empires, Taifa kingdoms…
The region progressively passed into Christian hands between the 13th and 15th centuries, and the new monarchs modified many of the pre-existing constructions. However, even today one can appreciate the powerful Muslim influence in some of the most iconic monuments of the region.
The Mosque of Córdoba (now a cathedral) deserves special mention, one of the largest Muslim temples, which still maintains its spectacular prayer hall and other key spaces almost intact, such as its mihrab. No less iconic is the Giralda in Seville: the bell tower of the cathedral that was once the minaret of the great mosque, with its characteristic Almohad sebka decoration.
But without a doubt, the monument that generates the most admiration is the Alhambra of Granada, the palatial fortress of the Nasrid sultans until the fall of the city in 1492. And although later additions were made (Palace of Charles V), the complex remains the best example of Andalusian architecture, along with the adjacent Generalife enclosure.
Israel
Israel is not only the Promised Land for Jews, but it is also synonymous with the Holy Land for Christians and historic Palestine for Muslims. And many of the sacred places of the latter are located not only in East Jerusalem, but also in the rest of the country.
Despite the difficulties that organizing a trip to this country usually entails, at Mandala Tours we have trusted providers in all areas, many of them specialized in the Muslim side of these territories. Special mention deserves the Temple Mount, in Jerusalem, from where Muhammad ascended to the heavens.
But the rest of the country is full of places full of symbolism for Muslim travelers, as historic Palestine encompassed the entire country until the establishment of the Israeli state from 1948, and always under the rule of different Muslim political entities (caliphates and Arab, Seljuk and Ottoman empires), with the exceptions of the incursions of crusaders and Mongols.
Armenia
Armenia is one of the most surprising destinations in our catalog. And although many of the country’s attractions have a Christian character, such as the monasteries of Geghard, Khor Virap and Noravank, monuments erected during the long period of Ottoman and Persian domination are also still standing. A good example of this is the Blue Mosque, from the 18th century and perhaps the most representative of the capital, Yerevan.
And like these, many other examples both in Armenia and in the mentioned countries and in others around the world: Mandala Tours agencies work tailored to each client, so we can organize a personalized trip to visit iconic Islamic places in many other corners of the planet.
