Sunday 27 January 2013

Andalucia

I'm still in a very Spanish mood, so let's continue our little trip to Andalucia. I mentioned some bits and pieces on the last thread, but I think it's better to illustrate the historical facts with some pictures.

El Alhambra and Generalife

The Moors ruled southern Spain for 800 years and were finally kicked out by Fernando and Isabel, los Reyes Catolicos. When the last Moorish ruler left Granada, he went to the top of the minaret in the city's outskirts, looked back and wept. His mother said to him: "Now you cry like a baby over what you couldn't defend like a man."

The Arabs left some precious gifts: Fantastic architecture and flamenco music.













Cordoba

The mosque of Cordoba is considered the most magnificent outside Mecca. Isabel la Catolica planted a catholic altar bang in the middle of it after she got rid of the Moors.





This altar would look OK in some other place...


Seville

Seville is very beautiful (incredibly hot in the summer) and I'm particularly fond of the Sevillanas, the local music.