Abstract

The image of Santiago Matamoros as a strong and merciless warrior does not at all match the peaceful appearance of the flowers currently covering the statue’s feet and horse in Santiago de Compostela. Centuries of contact and coexistence between Christians and Muslims on the Iberian Peninsula have left a strong cultural legacy in Spain, still perceivable in Moorish architecture or Arabic influences on the Iberian languages. The practices of the Spanish Inquisition, the persecution of non-Catholics, as well as the ill treatment of the Indians made their contributions to this perception. The image of backwardness was still present, albeit it was now associated with Spain’s Islamic past and, at least in part, positively marked as ‘originality.’ Spain’s declaration of war in October 1859 must be understood, first of all, as a Spanish attempt to keep up with France and Great Britain regarding their influence in Africa.

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