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The longest continuous war in recorded history is the Reconquista, which spanned approximately 781 years from 711 to 1492. This series of military campaigns was fought between the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula and the Muslim Moors who had occupied large parts of the region.

The Reconquista began when Muslim forces, under the Umayyad Caliphate, invaded and rapidly occupied much of the Iberian Peninsula starting in 711. They established the territory of Al-Andalus, which included most of modern-day Spain and Portugal.

The Umayyad Caliphate, established in 661 CE, was the second of the four major caliphates following the death of the Prophet Muhammad. It was founded by Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan. The Umayyad dynasty, based in Damascus, is notable for its rapid Islamic expansion, reaching its greatest territorial extent. This expansion included the invasion of North Africa, the  Iberian Peninsula, and parts of the Indian subcontinent.

The Conflict

Initial Invasion and Resistance (8th-10th Centuries): The Christian kingdoms of northern Iberia, such as Asturias, León, and Navarre, were not fully conquered and began a gradual pushback against Muslim rule. This period saw sporadic battles and skirmishes, with territory often changing hands between Christian and Muslim forces.

Height of Muslim Power (10th-11th Centuries): The Caliphate of Córdoba, under rulers like Abd al-Rahman III, represented the zenith of Muslim power in Iberia, with well established cultural and scientific influences over its occupied sphere. Christian kingdoms continued to consolidate power and form alliances, both internally and with other European states.

Rise of Christian Kingdoms (11th-13th Centuries): The Christian liberation efforts gained momentum with significant victories such as the capture of Toledo in 1085 by Alfonso VI of León and Castile. The establishment of powerful Christian states like Castile, Aragon, and Portugal marked a turning point. The pivotal Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212 was a major victory for the Christian forces.

Alfonso VI of León and Castile, often called Alfonso the Brave (c. 1040 – 1109), was a prominent medieval king, born to King Ferdinand I of León and Castile and Queen Sancha of León.

Final Phases (14th-15th Centuries): The Christian kingdoms continued to make steady progress, liberating key cities and regions from Muslim control. The Kingdom of Granada became the last Muslim stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula. After a prolonged siege, Granada fell to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile on January 2, 1492, effectively ending the Reconquista.

Impact and Legacy

The liberation had profound effects on the cultural, political, and social landscape of the Iberian Peninsula, especially when it came to the re-establishment of Christian dominance in the region. The conclusion of the Reconquista coincided with the beginning of the Age of Exploration. Notably, 1492 was also the year Christopher Columbus embarked on his voyage, supported by the Spanish Crown.