Spain’s Oldest Games

Tabas (knucklebones) and dice are among the oldest games played on the Iberian Peninsula, known both before and during Roman times. Board games such as alquerque (an early form of draughts) and ajedrez (chess) spread during the Middle Ages. Playing cards arrived later and are documented from the late 14th century.

Tabas and dice

Animal bones used as tabas and dice are among the oldest gaming pieces we know of. In Hispania, people played with them in homes and taverns. We explore this in how the Romans had fun in Hispania and the oldest dice ever found.

Roman board games

Game boards carved into stone have been found at Roman sites and in Roman buildings across the Iberian Peninsula. Find out more in the history of game boards.

The Middle Ages: alquerque and ajedrez

With Al-Andalus, games such as ajedrez and alquerque, an ancestor of draughts, arrived or became more widespread. King Alfonso X devoted his famous Book of Games to them in 1283. Read more in the history of chess and games of medieval Spain.

Playing cards

Playing cards were already appearing by the late 14th century, and they have been with us ever since. We tell the story in how playing cards arrived in Spain.