Cordoba - Granada
On the way to Granada we stop at Cordoba. Founded in the 2nd century BC, this historically Roman city is home to the Mezquita – a mosque-turned-cathedral dating back to the 8th century.
Our guide today is Cristobel, not Columbus. We cross the Roman bridge from the 1st century BC. There’s an Arab water wheel dating back to the 12th century. The Mosque was converted into a cathedral in 1236 and covers a huge area with amazing arches, chapels and small spaces used for worship.
We get a close-up view of the Paso's from yesterday’s parade which have been left here to keep them out of the rain before they’re carried back to their home churches.
There are 2 organs with 7000 pipes and carved choir stalls. A 165m walk from the entry gives a bride plenty of time to change her mind before her wedding ceremony.
More narrow streets to navigate but we still manage to find gelato, then back on the bus to make our way to Granada. The streets will shut at 4pm for tonight’s parade so it’s a bit of a race against time to get there before then.
Granada's streets are a bit more open so it’s not quite so crowded. I get caught trying to cross the parade and end up with a front row view. The Pasos are carried by about 40 men, a privilege if you’re chosen and there are women, dressed in black wearing mantillas and carrying candles. Whenever they stop children come from the crowd to collect the wax dripping from their candles. It’s an amazing experience.
Today is Good Friday and Carmen is taking us to Alhambra palace. Originally a hilltop fortress there are 3 palaces built by the Moslems from 1200 to 1580. Security is tight and we have to scan our passports to enter. Taken over by Ferdinand and Isabella they used the design and power to weaken visitors resolve before meeting them for negotiations.
The mosaics and decorative detail are amazing. The lions around the fountain are original, except for their ears, broken off and now replaced from too many tourists wanting photos riding them.
The gardens are extensive and the views range from the city to the snow covered mountains.
An afternoon wandering takes us through a local supermarket and there, hanging high are air dried Iberian hams, jamon iberico. It’s been really tasty when we’ve found it sliced paper thin on the breakfast buffet. However, at $800+ and illegal to bring into Australia we won't be trying to squeeze one into our luggage as a souvenir.
Tonight's dinner is at a flamenco restaurant. Great music, much stamping of feet and intense expressions give us a wonderful experience. A fitness and emotional level of concentration way too high for us to even try to duplicate.
The crowds are out again and we have to walk the last distance back to the hotel as the streets are closed. But bonus for us, more of the brotherhoods are parading and we add to our experience of this local culture.
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