Drive into Seville, and one of the first things you notice is La Giralda—the bell tower rising above the city skyline. This tower tells the story of religion here. Originally, this tower was built as a minaret attached to the mosque in the 12th century when Arabs ruled over the city, but in the centuries following the Catholic conquest, it was converted into a bell tower. As you continue walking down the streets, you’ll smell the sweet aroma of citrus as orange trees line the roads. Continue walking, and you’ll notice that there’s an interesting mix of architecture: both Spanish and Arab — places like Real Alcázar — a former royal palace — trace back to the times of Arab rule in Spain. All across the city, Catholic and Islamic influences sit side by side. They’re neighbors. And if you just drive a few hours south of Seville, you’d be at the Strait of Gibraltar — about 9 miles of ocean separating Spain from Morocco — another neighbor. Listen to “Reaching North Africa from Southern Spain” our new episode of Stories from the Nations on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.