Almuñécar, Spain - October 2019.

Abederrahman (or Abd al-Rahman) was originally from Damascus. He fled from persecution in Syria and eventually landed on the coast of Spain at the place that is now called Almuñécar. This was in 755 AD. With his followers he ousted the ruling powers and established an independent Muslim Emirate called Umayyad al-Andalus. (Hence the present day name of the area of Spain known as Andalusia.) The sculptor of this monument (Miguel Moreno) deliberately 'adjusted' natural perspective in order to emphasize the magnificence of the historical character. I have tried to bring this out in my picture. The monument was erected in 2005 to mark the 1250th anniversary of the Emir's arrival on these shores.

A monument to mark the settlement of Phoenicians here 3000 years ago. Almuñécar, on the southern coast of Spain.

Almuñécar, on the southern coast of Spain.

Almuñécar, on the southern coast of Spain.

Almuñécar, on the southern coast of Spain. The sea bird was actually there - it has not been added later.

Almuñécar, on the southern coast of Spain.

Almuñécar, on the southern coast of Spain.

Almuñécar, on the southern coast of Spain.

Almuñécar, on the southern coast of Spain.