Sevilla and Granada

In my Southern Iberian adventures we also hit up Granada and Sevilla. Granada was the last stronghold and lasted approximately 200 yrs after the rest of the Arab cities were taken. It is the home of the Alhambra - a fortress/palace filled with wonder. Anywho it is awesome and I feel inspired to read "The Tales of the Alhambra" by Washington Irving.

This is the celing. How do they DO that?!

Water is a theme in the Alhambra. These people had come from the desert and to them water meant life and vitality as well as rebirth. Everywhere you go the sight and sound of water follows you.

In Islam it is forbidden to portray people or animals in art because Allah is the only creator. Because of that and their advanced knowledge of mathematics, geometry, and astronomy, you see amazing patterns like this all over depicting nature.

Sevilla is famous for its handcrafted tiles and they are all over and beautiful. If I could I would make my house out of them.

This is the Palace of Charles the Fifth, son of Juana la Loca, daughter of Queen Isabella that he constructed in the Alhambra.

Cathedral of Sevilla - This is where lie the remains (or at least some of them) of Cristobal Colon. Before the reconquest this was the site of another mosque. The conquistadors built the cathedral over the mosque, but kept the Mezzanine (tower used to call the faithful to prayer five times a day) and turned it into a bell tower as the ultimate insult to the Arabs.

Here he is! The Pall bearers are representations of the four kingdoms of Spain at that point: Castilla, Leon, Aragon, and Navarre

Hugest Alterpiece Ever. There are over forty scenes depicting the Saviors life carved in wood and coated in gold.

Palacio de los Reyes Catolicos - Chrisopher Columbus met with Isabella here. Sweet! I am learning so much about American history by learning Spanish history. It is so cool and I am becoming a history nerd. I love it!

Goodbye Sevilla! Final fun fact. That little tower was the starting point of many historic voyages including Ponce De Leon, Cristobal Colon, and Magellan.

Consuegra and Cordoba

This is a taste of the culture clash that is Southern Spain. We spent four days in the areas of Consuegra, Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada. These (particularly Granada) were the last strongholds of the ancient Arab empire in the Iberian Peninsula before the completion of the Reconquest under Los Reyes Catolicos Isabel y Fernando - The Catholic Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand. Cordoba is the site of the amazing "La Mezquita" or mosque with beautiful polychromatic arches. It is now officially a Cathedral and a gaudy baroque chapel is in planted in the center of the reverent and mystical colonnades. They regretted the decision and later said "They have ruined something extraordinary with something ordinary" I agree, but still loved it. I go crazy for the southern style and flavor of the Mediterranean.

Inside the Mezquita

Yes they just have citrus trees growing everywhere outside - what!

Success! Also the nastiest orange I have ever tasted :)

More of la Mezquita - just imagine 500 men all kneeling and saying their prayers out loud in unison. It gives me chills.

This is the Mihrab - the most sacred spot of the Mosque in the practice of Islam

Cynthia to the rescue with our tickets! Our director is a superstar

Consuegra! This is the region of La Mancha where we get the famous Don Quixote attacking windmills.

I saw this and it reminded me of Lord of the Rings Return of the King when they light the beacons of Gondor to call the King of Rohan for aid. If you will notice there is another little pillar in the mountain in the distance. Call me a nerd if you will, but I thought it was awesome.

As you can see we are very serious photographers.

Yep, well I was pretty excited to be there. It was yet another one of my favorite weekends. This is the life.