Rabat’s New Photography Exhibit Offers Fresh Lense on Andalusian Architecture

An exhibition in Rabat opens a window into Andalusian architecture and its lasting impact on both shores of the Mediterranean.

Fez – The Instituto Cervantes Spanish language school in Rabat opened its doors to a unique event yesterday – “A Meeting Point Between the West and the Islamic West,” a photography exhibit on Andalousian architecture.

Organized by the Spanish Embassy in Morocco, the Instituto Cervantes, and the Andalusian public foundation El Legado Andalusí, the exhibition explores the deep artistic and architectural connections between both shores of the Mediterranean.

The photographs on display depict historical structures such as citadels, castles, walls, towers, palaces, minarets, baths, cisterns, and water reservoirs; landmarks that have become key parts of both Spanish and Moroccan cultural landscapes.

Speaking on the occasion, Spanish Ambassador to Morocco, Enrique Ojeda Vila, talked about the significance of this exhibition, stating that it reflects essential elements of the relationship between Spain and Morocco, namely their shared history and common heritage.

“The strong ties between our two countries are built on this shared past and cultural heritage, making Spain and Morocco strategic partners for shaping the present and the future together,” he said in an interview with MAP.

Maria de la Concepción de Santana Fernández, Managing Director of El Legado Andalusí, said that the goal of the exhibition is to bring attention to a shared heritage of great historical and cultural importance.

“Our foundation, alongside the Instituto Cervantes and the Spanish Embassy, seeks to highlight the symbols that best represent the deep friendship and cultural ties between our nations,” she explained.

The exhibition serves as an invitation to rediscover a vibrant, living heritage and offers a visual testimony to the historical exchanges that have shaped the identities of cities across both the East and the West.

Running until April 6, 2025, the exhibition allows visitors to immerse themselves in the rich world of Andalusian architecture while celebrating the lasting cultural connections between these two civilizations.