Posts Tagged ‘Cordoba’
A Visit to Cordoba Part 2
Posted on: July 24, 2017
- In: History | Spain | Travel
- 22 Comments
After spending a morning at the amazing Mezquita, enjoying a delightful lunch and checking out the cute shops we ventured to the Alcazar, a medieval fortress of the Christian Kings, rebuilt in 1328 by King Alfonso XI. The word Alcázar means palace in Arabic. It was the residence of the Christian Kings when they stayed in Cordoba and was one of the primary residences of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Significant historic events were planned in this palace including the discovery of America. It was also the headquarters of the Inquisition and later served as a garrison for Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops in 1810. This intriguing place with a colourful history is now a World Heritage site.
Battlements surrounding the Alcazar
King Alfonso XI greets visitors to the Alcazar
The round tower is the Tower of the Inquisition, added in the 15th century. The Main Tower in front was a place for the Inquisition to carry out its public executions.
The gardens are a relaxing place to wander, with a wide variety of plants and trees overlooking stone fountains and large ponds
Well kept gardens
The Moorish style Royal Baths are situated in the basement and are thought to have been built by Alfonso XI. The skylights in the shape of stars provided light and ventilation. The walls were made from hardened clay and some of the original marble floor slabs are still visible.
Outside entrance to the Royal Bath House
Entering the bath house in the basement
Star shaped skylights for light and ventilation
Inside the bath house. I may be touching a wall Queen Isabella touched.
Interesting 16th-century frescoes hang in a hall which housed the former chapel of the Inquisitions. A collection of Roman mosaic art and a sarcophagus from the 2nd and 3rd century that once belonged to a wealthy Roman Mansion, discovered under Corredera Square in 1959, are also on display.
Interesting 16th-century frescoes
2nd or 3rd-century sarcophagus
Roman mosaic art discovered under a square in Cordoba
The Alcazar was yet another remarkable place to wander around and take in the history as we stepped back in time. Seeing places like this makes the history we learned in school come alive. It is no longer just stuff from textbooks but actual events and places. Queen Isabella walked these hallways, touched these walls and probably bathed in the bath house while deciding whether to fund the voyage of Christopher Columbus, which ultimately changed history. This is why travel means so much to me.
More to come as we visit the Jewish Quarter and a cool museum in Cordoba.
Thanks for travelling with me.
- In: History | Spain | Travel
- 35 Comments
During the visit of my aunt and her friend, we took a bus trip to the Andalusian city of Cordoba, about five hours from where I live in Spain. Originally built by the Romans, it became an important location during the Moorish occupation. The ancient city of Cordoba held some of the world´s first known universities and medical schools. The fascinating architecture throughout the city reflects the Moorish, Jewish and Christian cultures.
It is easy to get around this charming city as it isn´t very big and you can easily walk everywhere. The narrow cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed buildings and patios decorated with colourful flower pots. Every time we turned a corner, we were confronted with another remarkable church, museum or interesting edifice. We took many pictures. It will take more than one post to share all we saw in these three amazing days.
Many buildings are decorated with flower pots
It took us a while to find it but we eventually walked down the street of flowers, or Calle de Fleurs which is the most photographed street in Cordoba and found on many postcards.
The Calle de Fleurs with the Mezquita in the background
The Mezquita is the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There has been a place of worship on the site since the mid-sixth century when the Visigoths built the Basilica of San Vincent, the city´s main Christian Temple at the time. When the Muslims arrived in the eighth century the building was divided and used by both communities. It was later expanded to accommodate the growing Muslim population. In the twelfth century when the Moors were defeated by the Christians, the conquerors were so impressed by the opulent Mosque, it was uncustomarily kept intact and a Catholic cathedral built around it. Walking under the Moorish arches and viewing crucifixes, statues of saints and paintings depicting biblical stories, I was moved to tears as I felt the historic affiliation of art and faith surround me.
Inside the Mosque-Cathedral
The Moorish arches
An example of the ornate ceilings
A gorgeous stained glass window
A display of ancient Bibles
My guests enjoying the Mezquita
The original Mosque doors restored
The cathedral was consecrated in 1146 and has been used as a Catholic church ever since. They were preparing for a Corpus Christi parade and celebration that evening which we were lucky enough to witness, making our visit even more special.
Preparing for a religious celebration
Visiting the Mezquita is magical and these few pictures don´t do it justice. Here is a video from the official website. Don’t worry if you don’t understand Spanish, the views are gorgeous. https://mezquita-catedraldecordoba.es/
You really have to see this place to believe it!!
The city of Cordoba is a reminder of how Spain has willingly adopted the history and cultures of its many invaders over the years to become the unique country it is today.
More pictures of Cordoba to come.
Special Visitors from Abroad
Posted on: June 29, 2017
- In: Family | People | Spain | Travel
- 36 Comments
I haven’t been spending much time on my blog lately but there is a very good reason. I’ve been entertaining overseas guests and showing them around my part of Spain. The three of us come from the same place originally and have been buddies since we were children. One is related, one isn’t, one now lives in Arizona and one in Alberta. I can´t tell you how wonderful it has been having them here in Spain with me.
So far we have explored medieval castles, cathedrals, museums, a Roman fortress, an amphitheatre, and a sanctuary built into the side of a mountain, shopped the markets, shared tapas and watched a flamenco dancer to name a few of the many fun things we’ve been doing. I’ll write more about these events and sites later but in the meantime here are a few pictures to show what we’ve been up to.
At the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Esperanza
Happy to have my friends here in Spain with me.
With a friendly sailor in Cartagena
Enjoying the amphitheatre in Cartagena
On stage at the amphitheatre ready to give a performance
A Roman Senator lost his head over us!
At the top of the castle in Guadalest
Beautiful Guadalest
We did not fight over the knight in shining armour
Someone bought a new hat at the market and is very happy!
Resting in a cute courtyard in Cordoba.
At the Alcazar in Cordoba with King Alfonso
Look who we found at the top of Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante
The three amigas together again, ready for adventure.
There are many more pictures and stories to share but you will have to wait.
Note – pictures from a collection taken by all three of us.
