Snapshots of Andalucia

After a long week of questioning who we are as students and what we are learning as teachers, we were looking forward to exploring more of the Spanish culture by visiting the cities of  Córdoba and Granada in the region of Andalucia.

Our weekend whirlwind started at the Estación de Atocha (Madrid's main train station).

The Spanish countryside was filled with hundreds of miles of olive trees and mixed with a few spots of sunflowers.

Our first stop was Córdoba in one word...MAGNIFICENT!

One of the many doors that lead up the courtyard of the Mezquita. 

The inner courtyard of the Mezquita was beautiful. In the center was a fountain that not only provided us some much needed refreshment (the temperature in Córdoba this weekend was well over 100 degrees) and we were impressed by the drainage and irrigation system. 

Irrigation at it's best.

It's safe to drink the water...we asked.

But the majesty really began inside. We can only hope that our pictures will give you an idea of just how incredible this former Mosque/current Catholic Church really is. We were left speechless appreciating the wonders of man's architectural ability, the mixture of the various layers of decorations standing side by side, and the influence the Moorish culture had on this part of Spain.

Super quick history lesson about The Cathedral Córdoba (we will call it Mezquita as this is what the Spaniards call it): It was consecrated as the mother church of the diocese in 1236. Since then, it has been used for religious services every day. Long story short, on this location there was once a Visigoth church called San Vicente, then in 785 during the Islamic invasion of Córodba, the church was destroyed and a mosque was built. There is glass over a visigothic mosaic in the floor of this church which gives the rationale for the church to have changed the purpose of the building from Mosque to ancient Christian temple; Christians were here initially.

                                             Visigothic mosaic beneath the floor of the Mezquita

This is the Catholic altar in the Mezquita (not sure who the guy in the red is).

While were were in Cordoba, there was a guitar festival. This is just a block or so away from the Cathedral.

Granada.

By train, we traveled south to the city of Granada. This is the city where Isabel and Ferdinand funded Columbus's journey to the new world. Spain's Catholic culture was anchored here during their rule as well. This is the city where they are entombed. There was also a strong Muslim and Jewish presence in this city up to the time of The Inquisition. It is said that before this period in history, Granada was a place where three different religions were a part of the same culture. The evidence of this coexistence is still visible today in the art, architecture, food, even the city planning. Granada is a very young city. As we walked around the first evening we arrived, we could not help but notice the number of college-aged kids meandering the streets with friends. The energy was positive, and set the tone for our stay.

Illuminated manuscript of music on display in the Cathedral of Cordoba

The Alhambra

The Alhambra was a fortress built by the Moors. It has gone through many phases and changes over the centuries. Preservation of this world heritage site is ongoing. Our tour guide told us that every new tour could be different based on what parts are closed for maintenance and preservation. A person may not see the same Alhambra twice.

The Alhambra is a place to satisfy all five of the senses. There is so much to see, hear, smell, feel, even taste -- we had a break during our tour for a drink and tapas. The gardens of the Generalife (hen-er-al-eef-eh), originally from the 14th century, are so beautiful to see and to smell. No one knows what the original gardens look like because of so many changes over the centuries. The fountains' gurgling gives the environment a steady, calming feel. Our tour guide said that the Christians weren't too fond of the fountains because they felt the water was too noisy. Water is all over this place by way of fountains, irrigation, water falls. Generalife means "architect's garden," referring to the architect of life.

          Stalactite arch. Everything is meticulously carved and decorated in seemingly infinite patterns.

Typically, Muslims did not sculpt images of people and/or animals. We were told that this fountain in the middle of the Alhambra is a Christian influence and symbolizes power.

                                                    Spain's Coat of Arms in the Alhambra

                                                               Carvings from the Koran

This is the ceiling above where the Sultan would sit and listen to people in the community. The pattern is repeated stars and are to represent the levels of heaven.

This is our tour guide, Victor, in the plaid shirt showing us the evolution of the Alhambra. He led our tour in English.

This plaque signifies the room where American writer Washington Irving stayed and was inspired by this magnificent place. He wrote the book Tales from the Alhambra.