The nomads took a travel break in December to spend the Christmas season with friends and family. Looking out of our window in early January was rather grey so we checked the long range forecast for the Costa Del Sol for mid month and booked EasyJet to Malaga. Staying between Malaga and Marbella gave us a chance to play golf and explore the coast down to Sotogrande, blue skies were welcome.
Times are very tough for the people of Spain but the upside for travellers is bargain prices (3 pounds per day for carhire). This was a great opportunity to visit some places on the bucket list so we set off on the Granada-Cordoba-Seville circuit.
THE ALHAMBRA
This Moorish fortress palace complex sits on a hill overlooking Old Granada on one side with spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada range on the other. Originally built for Muslim Emirs the Berber Islamic architecture is in the Mudejar style and the various palaces have a common theme ' Paradise on Earth'. The central courtyards all focus on fountains and running water one example being the Court of The Lions, a unique example of Muslim Art.
The building exteriors are usually austere, in total contrast to the interior decorations which are stunning. The combination of muqarnas (stalactite like ceilings), arabesques, artesonado (decorative woodwork), the gilding and colorful intricate tiles is breathtaking. We were baffled as to how all these places would have had running water over 800 years ago but The Muslims had intricate hydraulic systems proving that they were ingenious engineers as well as fine architects and designers.
MEZQUITA OF CORDOBA
Originally a Visigoth church it became a mosque and is now a Catholic Cathedral having undergone numerous additions the current dimensions have remained the same since 987. The easiest way to appreciate the scale and design of this monument is from the air, with the central church surrounded by the Moorish architecture. The interior is noted for more than 800 columns and arches of onyx, marble and granite.
The Mirhab-
Cordoba is a compact city with many other notable features: the Roman Bridge,the old mills, various gardens and narrow winding alleys. We really enjoyed our time here.
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ALCAZAR AND SEVILLE CATHEDRAL
Situated in the center of Seville, which is flat, the setting of this Mudejar style palace cannot compare with the Alhambra but it is beautiful nonetheless, and is still the official residence of The Royal Family in Seville. The gardens are extensive and placenames like Hall of Ambassadors and Courtyard of The Maidens give a hint of the grandeur and importance of yet another World Heritage Site in Spain.
Equally famous is the Cathedral of St. Mary of the See next door, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the burial site of Christopher Columbus. it was built to show off the wealth of the city and the scale of it alone succeeds at that as it boasts 8 entrances all decorated with elaborate sculptures. The Giralda Tower which resembles a minaret is another example of the mix of architectural styles in Andalusia and the long climb is worth it for the view of the city.
Times are very tough for the people of Spain but the upside for travellers is bargain prices (3 pounds per day for carhire). This was a great opportunity to visit some places on the bucket list so we set off on the Granada-Cordoba-Seville circuit.
THE ALHAMBRA
This Moorish fortress palace complex sits on a hill overlooking Old Granada on one side with spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada range on the other. Originally built for Muslim Emirs the Berber Islamic architecture is in the Mudejar style and the various palaces have a common theme ' Paradise on Earth'. The central courtyards all focus on fountains and running water one example being the Court of The Lions, a unique example of Muslim Art.
The building exteriors are usually austere, in total contrast to the interior decorations which are stunning. The combination of muqarnas (stalactite like ceilings), arabesques, artesonado (decorative woodwork), the gilding and colorful intricate tiles is breathtaking. We were baffled as to how all these places would have had running water over 800 years ago but The Muslims had intricate hydraulic systems proving that they were ingenious engineers as well as fine architects and designers.
MEZQUITA OF CORDOBA
Originally a Visigoth church it became a mosque and is now a Catholic Cathedral having undergone numerous additions the current dimensions have remained the same since 987. The easiest way to appreciate the scale and design of this monument is from the air, with the central church surrounded by the Moorish architecture. The interior is noted for more than 800 columns and arches of onyx, marble and granite.
The Mirhab-
Cordoba is a compact city with many other notable features: the Roman Bridge,the old mills, various gardens and narrow winding alleys. We really enjoyed our time here.
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