Music & Songs of the Reconquista

From medieval cantigas to modern rock operas - discover the living musical legacy! Many still performed TODAY.

1257-1283

Cantigas de Santa María

Language: Galician-Portuguese

Collection of 420 songs praising Virgin Mary, commissioned by King Alfonso X "the Wise"! One of largest medieval music collections in the world.

Performed worldwide! Eduardo Paniagua (Spain), Jordi Savall (Catalonia), Altramar Medieval Music Ens...

~1200

Cantar de Mio Cid (Epic Poem)

Language: Old Spanish

Epic poem about El Cid, meant to be SUNG by jongleurs (traveling performers) in town squares!

2007: Rock opera version in Burgos! 2011: Heavy metal band "Mägo de Oz" made album based on it. Movi...

711-1492

Moorish Influence on European Music

Language: Arabic/Romance

Muwashshah and Zajal poetry-songs from Al-Andalus influenced ALL European music! Created the concept of romantic love songs.

Medieval music groups like "Calamus" and "Altramar" perform reconstructed Andalusian music. 2023: Ro...

1492-Present

Sephardic Romances

Language: Ladino (Judeo-Spanish)

Songs Jews took into exile in 1492! Preserved medieval Spanish melodies frozen in time. Still sung today in Israel, Turkey, Greece.

Yasmin Levy (Israeli singer) = international star! Performs Sephardic songs worldwide. 2022 album "L...

~1150

Hymn to Saint James (Dum Pater Familias)

Language: Latin

Pilgrims' song from Codex Calixtinus! Sung while walking to Santiago de Compostela. Still sung by modern pilgrims!

400,000 pilgrims walk Camino yearly - many sing this! YouTube has versions from pilgrim groups. Cath...

1980s-2024

Modern Fusion & Rock Adaptations

Language: Spanish

Spanish rock and metal bands create concept albums about Reconquista! Mixing medieval melodies with electric guitars.

Mägo de Oz (2.5M monthly Spotify listeners!), Saurom, Tierra Santa all have Reconquista albums. Musi...

900-1492

Sephardic Piyyutim (Jewish Liturgical Poetry)

Language: Hebrew/Ladino

Jewish religious poems set to music in Al-Andalus. Influenced by Arabic maqam scales. Created by famous poets like Ibn Gabirol, Yehuda Halevi.

Still sung in Sephardic synagogues worldwide! Modern artists: Esti Kenan Ofri, Mor Karbasi. 2024: Fe...

2000-2024

Video Game Soundtracks

Language: Instrumental

Medieval Spanish music influences major video games! Total War, Crusader Kings, Age of Empires all feature Reconquista-inspired soundtracks.

Soundtracks get millions of streams! "Age of Empires II: El Cid Campaign" music = nostalgia for mill...

Amazing Music Facts

420 Royal Songs

King Alfonso X commissioned 420 Cantigas - largest medieval music collection!

Living Tradition

Sephardic songs from 1492 still performed by 100,000+ people worldwide!

Rock Meets Medieval

Spanish metal bands have millions of listeners for Reconquista-themed albums!

Gaming Soundtracks

Medieval Spanish music inspires soundtracks heard by millions of gamers!

Start Listening Now!

Spotify

Search: "Cantigas de Santa Maria" or "Yasmin Levy"

YouTube

Search: "Medieval Spanish Music" or "Jordi Savall"

Apple Music

Search: "Alfonso X el Sabio" or "Sephardic Music"