[View Article at Source]By Liberty Nation Authors On this episode of Liberty Nation News Conservative 5: Jimmy Kimmel has made it back to the studio, RFK Jr. has released a first phase of his Autism

The ship wasn't designed to withstand the powerful ice compression forcesand Shackleton knew it The Endurance, frozen and keeled over in the ice of the Weddell Sea. Credit: BF/Frank Hurley In 1915,

How To Order A Burger That's Always Fresh Off The Grill At McDonald's...

Bearded vultures in medieval Spain stole various things from humans to feather their nests.

Best speaker deal: Save $80 on Marshall Emberton II SAVE $80: As of Oct. 6, the Marshall Emberton II is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's a 44% savings on the list price. Prime Day is the perfect excuse to upgrade your tech. What's better than treating yourself and saving money while you do so? October's Prime Day doesn't kick off until Oct. 7,...

Best streaming stick deal: Roku Streaming Stick HD for $17.99 SAVE $12: As of Oct. 5, the Roku Streaming Stick HD is on sale for $17.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% savings on the list price. Streaming sticks are affordable, easy to use, and can help you upgrade your older-style TV instead of having to spend hundreds of dollars on a new model. One of...

The German legacy in Namibia, like many colonial ventures in Africa, is one of brutality and mass murder on a genocidal scale. Nevertheless, Germans also left behind a series of beautiful colonial buildings. While it has to be said that the infrastructure they left behind was not built out of any sense of altruism to Namibians, the architectural remains of Germanys colonial ambition are nonetheless interesting as they provide a window to a difficult era of Namibias past.An often controversial subject, the German architectural legacy is a widespread feature of Namibias urban landscape.A (Very) Brief History of German South West AfricaBismarckstrae in Swakopmund, photograph by Olga Ernst, 2014. Source: Wikimedia CommonsIn 1840, the London Missionary Society handed over its activities to the German Rhenish Missionary Society in what would become German South West Africa. Churches were established while farmers and merchants began setting up operations. Thus started the German colonial legacy that would be built over the next seven decades.In the early 1880s, Germany staked its imperial claim on the territory, and from 1884 to 1885, these claims were agreed upon by other European powers at the Berlin Conference, which was held to partition the continent between the colonial powers of Europe.Soon after, the Germans sent troops to consolidate their political gains, and fighting broke out between the colonizers and the local people, most significantly the Nama (or Namaqua). Ongoing conflict would characterize the colonial endeavor for many years to come.Herero victims photographed in 1904. Source: Store Norske LeksikonAt the beginning of the 20th century, German immigration to German South West Africa increased, especially after the discovery of diamonds in 1908. The period around this time was marked by rebellions of the native people, and vengeance meted out by the colonial forces. So severe were the reprisals that today it is considered a genocide. According to the Wiener Holocaust Library, between 1904 and 1907, it is estimated that between 50,000 and 65,000 Herero people were killed, while another 10,000 Nama people were added to this harrowing statistic.The Germans built concentration camps and subjected the Herero and Nama people to such severe conditions that the majority of those imprisoned died of disease, abuse, starvation, and exhaustion. Experiments were carried out in a similar fashion and mindset used by the Nazis four decades later.It was only in 2021 that a formal apology was issued by the German government and 1.1 billion was agreed to be paid in reparations over the course of the next 30 years.In 1915, during the First World War, South West Africa was invaded by forces of the Union of South Africa, who put an end to German rule in the territory. This, however, was not an end to oppression but the beginning of a new one, as South West Africa remained under South African control until 1990, when it became the independent country of Namibia. For much of this time, the country was subjected to the harsh apartheid laws that governed South Africa.Form and FunctionHohenzollernhaus in Swakopmund, photograph by Harald Spfle, 2004. Source: Wikimedia CommonsGerman colonial architecture at the time of German presence in South West Africa is indicative of a Wilheminian style that existed from 1870 to 1914. It can be considered neo-Baroque, with large rooms and windows and stucco ceilings. With its distinctive style, this form of architecture stamped German presence on the territory in an overt way. Of course, architecture from the colonial period is not singular and displays a variety of influences. Even elements of Art Nouveau can be found in Namibias colonial structures.The buildings themselves were obviously not just decorative. They filled important functions from housing to bureaucracy and everything in between. There are military buildings, hotels, lighthouses, prisons, business buildings, libraries, and many other interesting buildings that reflect the desires of German colonial ambition at the time. Some of these buildings are still used for their intended purpose, while others have been repurposed.Prime ExamplesChristuskirche in Windhoek, photograph by Gabriel Nashixwa, 2018. Source: Wikimedia Commons/PexelsGerman culture and its architecture can be seen throughout Namibia, both on the coast and much further inland. Of major importance was the capital city of Windhuk (now Windhoek), which served as a seat of power for German administration over the territory. With a current population of just under half a million people, Windhoek remains the capital and biggest city in Namibia.The city is filled with famous landmarks. One such building is a small castle called Schwerinsburg. It started out as just a tower in 1891 and was sold by the army to an architect in 1904, who converted the construction into a beer garden. In 1913, the tower changed hands again. It was bought by Dr. Hans Bogislav Graf von Schwerin, who employed the former owner to convert the tower into a castle. Today, the castle serves as the home of the Italian Ambassador to Namibia. In the nearby vicinity are two other castles, Sanderburg Castle and Heinitzburg Castle, the latter of which now serves as a hotel and restaurant.The Alte Feste in Windhoek, photograph by Lonelyplanet, 2008. Source: Wikimedia CommonsOne of the most famous German colonial buildings in Namibia is a fort called the Alte Feste, which began construction in 1890 and was intended as a headquarters for the colonial military force (Schutztruppe). After South West Africa was taken over by South Africa in 1915, the fort served as a headquarters for the South African Union Army in the region. In 1990, South Africa relinquished control over South West Africa. The Alte Feste became a home for the historical collection of the National Museum of Namibia. The building, however, was closed to the public in 2023 and has been in desperate need of renovation.The Tintenpalast, which serves as Namibias parliament building is also of special note with its Neoclassical faade. It was built between 1912 and 1913 with the use of Nama and Herero slave labor. It served as an administrative building for the German colonial government.Woermannhaus, Swakopmund, photograph by Zairon, 2017. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe city of Swakopmund is well-known for its German heritage in its architecture, and evidence of German colonial history can be seen throughout the city. The Altes Gefngnis (Old Prison) was built in 1909 and still serves as a prison today. Woermannhaus, built in 1905, housed trading company offices before becoming a school hospital and then a hostel for sailors. Today, it serves as a library and is a striking landmark in the city, as it stands on high ground and has a tower from which visitors can get impressive views of the urban area and the sea.Arguably, the most impressive building in Swakopmund is the Hohenzollernhaus, with its neo-Baroque faade. Built in 1909, it served as a hotel during colonial times but now houses private apartments. Similar to the Alte Feste in Windhoek, Swakopmund is also home to a fort called Die Kaserne, which was built in 1905 and served as a barracks for soldiers who fought in the Herero Uprising and helped build the towns infrastructure.On the southern coast of Namibia in the NamiNs constituency is the town of Lderitz, founded in 1883. With labor provided by Herero and Nama slaves, many of the towns iconic structures were built over the following years. Among such buildings are the Deutsche Afrika Bank, which was proclaimed a national monument in 1980, and the Felsenkirche, a German Evangelical Church built between 1911 and 1912 that overlooks the town. The church, built in the vertical Gothic style, has been an official national monument since 1978.The ghost town of Kolmanskuppe, photograph by James Kerwin, 2019. Source: Wikimedia Commons/FlickrFamous not for its original intention but for its unique appearance today is the ghost town of Kolmanskuppe (or Kolmanskop). Founded in 1908 when diamonds were discovered nearby, the town was typified by German architecture and had many amenities. As the diamond mine became depleted, the population of the town diminished, too, until Kolmanskuppe was completely abandoned in 1956 and left to the sands and desert winds.What remains is a bleak and empty vestige of German colonial enterprisea fitting representation of Germanys colonial fate. Now, the town hosts tourists and has become a unique location in the film and television industry. Kolmanskop served as one of the locations for the 2024 television series Fallout.Mixed FeelingsA street scene in Lderitz showing the Kapps-Ballsaal with Felsenkirche and Goerke Haus in the background, photograph by Harald Spfle, 2004. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe topic of German architecture and buildings in Namibia today is one that generates much debate. The German occupation was one in which genocide happened. As a result, there is a level of national trauma associated with the visual representation of German control. This trauma extended past German control and into many decades of control and oppression by apartheid South Africa.Despite being painful reminders of the past, German colonial buildings are considered part of Namibias cultural heritage. Determining the validity of individual sentiment becomes problematic when attempting to forge a unified identity with such a troubled past. While some may not be affected by negative feelings at viewing such structures, others perceive the need for visible change. The debate thus moves to what should be preserved and what should be removed.The Reiterdenkmal, an equestrian monument of a German colonial soldier that was the subject of protests, photograph by Freddy Weber, 2004. Source: Wikimedia CommonsOne such example, in Windhoek, is the Reiterdenkmal, a statue of a German colonial officer which was removed in 2009 to make way for the building of the Independence Memorial Museum. The statue had been a subject of fierce debate over the years since independence. After it was placed in 2010 in front of the Alte Feste, a German fortress and museum, protests continued. The statue was finally moved into storage at the Alte Feste. Where the statue once stood is now a statue of Sam Nujoma, Namibias first presidenta clear sign of the nation reclaiming its identity.

On September 7, 1822, Prince Pedro declared Brazils independence from Portugal in a dramatic break with both his homeland and his family. Prince Pedro was subsequently proclaimed Emperor Pedro I of Brazil and led Brazil to victory in the Brazilian War of Independence. Brazils independence was the culmination of the development of Brazilian nationhood in the preceding centuries, combined with political instability in Portugal.Brazil as a Portuguese ColonyIndependence or Death, Pedro Amrico, 1888, depicting Prince Pedros declaration of Brazilian independence on September 7, 1822. Source: Google Arts and CultureThe Portuguese colonization of Brazil commenced in April 1500 with the arrival of the Portuguese explorer Pedro lvares Cabral. Over the next few centuries, the Portuguese expanded their colonial possession, including through brutal wars with the Indigenous peoples. By 1800, the Portuguese colony had grown from its initial settlements on the coast to include most of modern-day Brazil and Uruguay.As with most European colonies at the time, colonial Brazils purpose was to generate wealth for the mother country: Portugal. This was accomplished through colonial Brazil supplying Portugal with vital resources including sugar and gold. The Portuguese imported hundreds of thousands of African slaves to Brazil to support the extraction of resources.A chart of gold yield in the Royal Foundries in Minas Gerais Colonial Brazil, between July and September 1767. Source: Brazilian National ArchivesColonial Brazil also served as a market for Portuguese manufactured goods and was prohibited by the Portuguese from trading with other European powers or from developing its own manufacturing industries. These monopolistic restrictions on colonial Brazils economy, combined with taxes imposed by Portugal, were a point of friction between colonial Brazilians and the Portuguese government throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries.Over time, a distinctly Brazilian identity emerged as an ever-increasing portion of the population of the colony was born in Brazil instead of Portugal. Intermarriage between Portuguese and Indigenous peoples furthered the concept of Brazilian cultural identity.By the start of the 19th century, tensions between Portugal and its colony were growing as Brazilians increasingly objected to Portuguese economic domination and developed a greater sense of nationhood.Napoleons Invasion of Portugal: A Royal Family Flees to BrazilEmbarkation of the Royal Family to Brazil, by Nicolas-Louis-Albert Delerive, 19th century. Source: Museo Nacional dos Coches, PortugalIn November 1807 a dramatic change took place in the relationship between Portugal and colonial Brazil when Napoleons forces invaded Portugal. Faced with the imminent occupation of his country, the Prince Regent of Portugal, Dom John, made the bold decision to evacuate the Portuguese government to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Perhaps as many as 10,000 people, including much of the nobility, military officers, government officials, and their families, accompanied the Prince Regent to Brazil.The arrival of the Portuguese royal family in Brazil transformed the colony. The royal familys journey to Brazil had been organized by the British Royal Navy. In return, the Prince Regent was compelled to pass a decree ending the Portuguese monopoly on trade with Brazil and opening Brazils ports to all friendly nations. The Prince Regent also rescinded the colonial restrictions on the development of manufacturing industries. A major economic boom resulted from the repeal of these restrictions and the influx of thousands of educated Portuguese fleeing the French invasion. Moreover, the Prince Regent founded several important cultural and educational institutions during his stay in Rio de Janeiro.A map of Rio de Janeiro in 1820 when it served as the capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, by Jacques Arago, 1820. Source: Brazilian National ArchivesWhile there had been growing tensions between colonial Brazil and Portugal prior to 1807, the arrival of the Portuguese royal family and the benefits this brought to the colony led to a surge in popularity for the monarchy. The feeling was mutual, and the Prince Regent had great affection for Brazil. In fact, even though Napoleon had been defeated at Waterloo in 1815, the Prince Regent resisted returning to Portugal and maintained his government in Rio de Janeiro.In December 1815, the Prince Regent sought to recognize Brazils newfound importance as the seat of the Portuguese government and to justify his refusal to return to Lisbon. He elevated Brazil to the status of a kingdom within the newly created United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. This decision meant that Brazil was no longer a colony but a kingdom equal in status to Portugal, albeit under the rule of the Portuguese monarch.The Portuguese Liberal Revolution and the Cry of IpirangaThe Acclamation of King Dom Joo VI of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, by Jean Baptiste Debret, 1834. Source: Biblioteca Mario de Andrade, Sao Paulo, BrazilIn December 1816 the Prince Regents mother, in whose name he had ruled for many years, died and he ascended the throne of the new United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves as King John VIand was determined to rule his empire from Rio de Janeiro. Meanwhile, Portugal was in chaos following the Napoleonic Wars. Much of Portugal was in ruins and the economy was reeling from years of occupation and the exodus of the nobility to Brazil. In the absence of the king, various factions jockeyed for control.In this chaotic situation, the Portuguese government increasingly sought the return of King John VI and the court to Lisbon to provide effective government. The king, who had by this point fully embraced life in Brazil and feared returning to a country that appeared on the brink of civil war, obstinately refused. Matters came to a head in August 1820 when the Liberal Revolution, so-called because the revolutionaries sought the replacement of absolutism with constitutional monarchy, commenced in the Portuguese city of Porto. The revolutionaries quickly gained control of Portugal and summoned a Cortes, a legislative assembly, to draft a new constitution.Session of the Cortes of Lisbon, by Oscar Pereira da Silva, 1922. Source: Museu PaulistaA principal demand of the assembly was the return of King John VI to Portugal. Once Portuguese military units stationed in Brazil began to swear allegiance to the Cortes, King John VI recognized he must return to Portugal or risk being deposed. On April 25, 1821, he reluctantly boarded a ship for Lisbon. However, King John VI declared his son and heir, Prince Dom Pedro, as his regent in the Kingdom of Brazil. Allegedly, before leaving for Lisbon, the king advised Dom Pedro that Brazilian independence was inevitable and that when the moment came, Dom Pedro should seize the crown of Brazil.The Cortes was comparatively liberal in some respects, but it was determined to restore Portugal to the stature it enjoyed prior to the Napoleonic Wars. To accomplish this objective, the Cortes believed it was necessary to restore Portugals domination over Brazil and in September 1821 stripped Brazil of its status as an independent kingdom. The Cortes further indicated its intention to restore Portugals monopoly over trade with Brazil and demanded Dom Pedros return to Portugal.The proclamation of the independence of Brazil, by Franois-Ren Moreaux, 1844. Source: Imperial Museum of BrazilBrazilians reacted with outrage at what was viewed as a betrayal by Portugal and urged Dom Pedro to defy the Cortes and stay in Brazil, which is what Dom Pedro proceeded to do. The Cortes sent soldiers to Brazil to try to restore order. In response, throughout 1821 and 1822, Brazilian militias organized and a tense standoff developed.On September 7, 1822, Dom Pedro received news that the Cortes had deprived him of his powers as regent and issued a final order for him to return to Portugal. Dom Pedro and the supporters of Brazilian independence recognized that the moment had come. In what became known as the Cry of Ipiranga, because it took place on the banks of Ipiranga brook, Dom Pedro, surrounded by his personal guard, proclaimed Brazils independence from Portugal.The Brazilian War of IndependencePedro I, by Edoardo De Martino, early 20th century. Source: Naval Museum of BrazilDom Pedro was declared Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil, on October 12, 1822, by Brazils constituent assembly. However, Pedro I was not able to claim control over the entirety of the former colony. At the time of independence, his control of Brazil was limited to Rio de Janeiro and a few other population centers. Many of the coastal cities remained garrisoned by Portuguese military forces and the Cortes was determined to reassert Portuguese control over Brazil. The stage was set for the Brazilian War of Independence.Pedro Is first task was to force the surrender of the Portuguese garrisons still in Brazil. While Pedro I possessed a significant number of enthusiastic militiamen, these soldiers were poorly armed and lacked the training necessary to conduct siege operations against Portuguese fortresses. Time was of the essence because if the cities under Portuguese control were not swiftly captured, they could serve as a base of operations for reinforcements sent from Portugal.Battle of 4 May 1823, by Trajano Augusto de Carvalho, 1938. Source: Navy of BrazilThe Brazilians had managed to capture a significant number of Portuguese naval vessels upon the declaration of independence, including a 74-gun ship of the line swiftly renamed Pedro I. In addition, the Brazilians recruited the legendary British sailor Lord Thomas Cochrane to serve as the commander of their fledgling navy. On May 4, 1823, Lord Cochrane achieved a strategic victory over the Portuguese fleet off the coast of Salvador, thus compelling the Portuguese forces in that city to surrender to the besieging Brazilian army. The Portuguese fleet was scattered, and Lord Cochrane chased it back across the Atlantic, capturing several ships in the process.Lord Cochrane proceeded to use his fleet to blockade the remaining Portuguese garrisons until they were compelled to surrender. In Mach 1824, the last significant Portuguese force surrendered after being besieged in Montevideo for over a year, which marked the end of Portuguese efforts to resist Brazilian independence by force.Brazilian Independence Secured: The Treaty of Rio de JaneiroThe First Page of the 1824 Constitution of the Empire of Brazil, March 25, 1824. Source: National Archives of BrazilIn March 1824, the same month that the Portuguese army at Montevideo surrendered to the Brazilians, the constituent assembly called by Pedro I enacted the new constitution of the Empire of Brazil. The Brazilian constitution granted significant, but not absolute, powers to the emperor. The emperors powers were limited by a robust legislative assembly and the granting of certain powers to regional assemblies. The constitution of 1824 was generally supported by Brazilians at the time and would remain intact, with few modifications, until Pedro Is son, Pedro II, was overthrown in the coup detat of 1889.Meanwhile, the surrender of its army at Montevideo forced Portugal to accept that it would never recover Brazil by military force. Portugal was still recovering from the Napoleonic Wars, King John VI was not enthusiastic about waging war on his son and Brazil, and Portuguese liberals and conservatives were on the brink of civil war.Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil by HenriGrevedon, 1830. Source: Brasiliana IconogrficaIn this climate, Portugal agreed to recognize Brazilian independence in August 1825 through the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro.The Treaty of Rio de Janeiro was a curious document. For example, even though Brazil had won a decisive military victory over Portugal, the treaty stipulated that Brazil would pay reparations to Portugal for losses suffered by Portuguese citizens. This clause was viewed as humiliating by many Brazilians and led to allegations that Pedro I remained too close to Portugal. In reality, Pedro I had been compelled to accept this clause to achieve Portuguese recognition of Brazilian independence, which was itself necessary before other European powers would recognize Brazil.The perception that Pedro I remained too close to Portugal was aided by the fact that the treaty did not resolve the odd situation that while Pedro I was recognized as Emperor of Brazil, he remained King John VIs heir. It was therefore reasonably possible that Portugal and Brazil would be unified again under a single monarch, which did in fact happen, albeit briefly, in 1826.Nonetheless, while the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro presaged future problems for Pedro I and the Empire of Brazil, it secured Brazilian independence by formally ending hostilities with Portugal and leading to international recognition of Brazil as an independent state.

The Muslim Berbers and Arabs established their emirate just before the Islamic Golden Age. Besides conquering and reshaping Iberia, the Moors brought ancient Greek and Roman knowledge, as well as Islams own advancements. Over time, they would fuse Muslim and European knowledge plus innovate on their own. The Moors proved to be unusually tolerant, allowing non-Muslims to interact with Muslims, helping to spread knowledge further into Europe. The result? A renaissance occurred centuries later, not before the real event.Centers of knowledge and great architecture emerged in cities such as Granada, Cordoba, and Toledo. Muslim, Christian, and Jewish scholars lived here. These scholars drew upon preserved knowledge. In turn, Muslim scholars made significant advances in astronomy, medicine, engineering, and mathematics. And of course, architecture.The Scientific Exchange14th-century copy of Al-Jabr with quadratic equations. Source: Arab AmericaWith the majority of Europe still in turmoil, travelers to Al-Andalus (Moorish Spain) felt as though they had landed on a foreign shore. In their public libraries, such as those in Cairo and Baghdad, Moorish scholars expanded upon existing ancient knowledge while developing innovative ideas. Perhaps the most critical introduction came from the use of the Arabic numeral system. This introduced the concept of zero and positional value (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.).As with an intellectual revolution, the Moorish scholars delved into various fields. Nothing seemed out of reach. In mathematics, they introduced algebra, derived from al-jabr, which allowed solving equations far beyond what Roman numerals could do. Algebra and the Arabic numerals proved to be a game-changer. For example, by the 13th century, European merchants could now calculate interest, exchange rates, and double-entry bookkeeping. The knowledge exchange between East and West had started, though, in the Moors early days.Mathematics is maybe the most well-known subject exchanged with fellow Christian or Jewish scholars. The list of scientific knowledge passed along to catalyze Europe also included trigonometry, astronomy, chemistry, agricultural sciences, and much more. As this scientific knowledge spread, scholars came to learn.Not Always a Peaceful ExchangeThe Great Mosque of Toledo/Church of Cristo de la Luz Source: WikimediaAlthough Moor, Christian, and Jewish scholars met peacefully, strife never ceased to exist. The Moors swift campaign took much of Iberia within fifty years. But the Christian campaigns, labeled The Reconquista, churned forward, especially after the 11th century. Toledo fell to Christian armies in 1085, the first major Moorish city to do so. Often, the takeovers became brutal, killing Muslim civilians and razing mosques and libraries.Vast texts from Roman, Greek, and Arabic cultures held in Toledos libraries also fell. Scholars flocked to Toledo, eager to learn. A flood of knowledge left the conquered cities, spreading across Europe.While the Moorish kingdoms boasted dozens of libraries, Europe had few. Now, however, universities sprang up across Europe, offering degrees.Not all the transmitted Arabic knowledge was theoretical in nature. Star charts and planetary models created by Islamic scholars helped European expansion. Better navigation during the Age of Exploration, in the 15th and 17th centuries, came from their star charts and planetary models. Astrolabes, improved by the Moors, became a critical tool for European explorers.Influences Shaped in StoneCadizs Moorish Revival Gran Teatro Falla (Raul Jimenez) Source: WikimediaLike the sciences, Moorish architecture influenced Europes use of stone and mortar. Additionally, the Moors introduced a new architectural vocabulary. With a history of Arab, Roman, Greek, and Byzantine styles behind them, they reimagined styles. In turn, these styles would imbue European designers.Among the features in Moorish designs were horseshoe arches (more round than Roman) for windows or doorways. Zellij tilework consisted of geometric tiles in bright colors. No imagery appeared, only patterns and symmetry.Teruel Cathedral Source: UNESCOCentral gardens, known as Riad courtyards, featured fountains and were typically divided into four quarters, reflecting a Quranic paradise. Perhaps the most famous are the ribbed domes and interwoven arches found in mosques.One direct influence was Christians reusing mosques as churches. The Great Mosque of Toledo had Christian parts added. This style became known as the Mudejar style. Muslim craftsmen at Christians behest constructed palaces, churches, and public buildings in this new style. Many would be completed or ordered well after the Reconquista ended in 1492. The Mudejar style flourished between the 13th and 16th centuries.A magnificent example of the Mudejar style is found in the Cathedral of Teruel. Built in 1157 in the Romanesque style, the Cathedrals ceiling was painted by Muslim artists. The tower, though outwardly Islamic (with an octagonal base) and featuring geometric patterns, also incorporates Gothic elements in its raised naves.The Moors profoundly shaped Europe far past their own demise. Whether in math equations or viewing historical buildings, Europe benefited as the Renaissance began.