As a geographic crossroads between North Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe, Spain developed its own unique musical style combining French and Italian European forms with African and Arab rhythms, and Sephardic and Arab melodic gestures. During the first centuries of the Christian era, Spain was part of the Roman Empire and came under the influence of Greek and Roman music, as well as Christian chant. From 400-711, various Germanic tribes ruled over sections of Spain, providing another set of influences. Under Moorish rule, which began with the invasion in 711, religious tolerance prevailed. The music and rituals of Christianity and Judaism flourished alongside Arab traditions, though it is thought that the popular music of the time was stylistically similar to Moorish music. These three streams became known as the “three cultures of Spain.”

There are several important collections of medieval music from Spain. The largest is the Cantigas de Santa Maria, an illustrated codex of over 400 Marian antiphons in the old Galician that draws melodies from Christian, Arab, and Jewish sources.This was compiled by the Spanish king s Alfonso X (1221-1284), who encouraged intellectuals from all three cultures to work together on collaborative projects.

Another important source is the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat, a collection of Latin-language pilgrimage songs from Compostela de Santiago.