The Reconquest of Spain. With the conquest of the kingdom of Granada by the Christian forces of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, the Moors lost their last Spanish stronghold. In the 13th century, the Christian Reconquest had pushed the Muslims southward, and Granada was the last Moorish bastion in the country. The kingdom of Granada enjoyed two more centuries of prosperity, but by the late 15th century, internal conflicts and the strengthening of the monarchy put an end to nearly eight centuries of Arab civilization in Spain. On January 2, 1492, King Boabdil surrendered the city, and in 1502 the Spanish monarchy ordered the conversion of all Muslims to Christianity. In 1609, the last remaining Moors faithful to Islam were expelled.
