Flamenco Night in Córdoba
By Jim
After our tour of the Mezquita, our guide, Saray, took us on a walk through the historic Jewish section of Córdoba. The tour was short but informative. We had one more activity on our agenda for the day: a flamenco performance in the ancient Arabian baths.
The venue was intimate, with an audience of fewer than two dozen. Many of the guests had supper, but Laurel and I opted for just a glass of wine. The artists burst into the stone cellar in full performance mode and captivated us for the full hour.
Our visit to the mosque had given us an appetite for Arabian food, so we sought out an Egyptian restaurant and dined on delicious hummus, okra, beef, and pita. It was a late night for us, and the illuminated monuments looked beautiful, beckoning me to take more photographs.
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Interesting keyholes from the historical Jewish section of Córdoba |
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The Flamenco performance was in an ancient Arabian cellar bath |
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An Egyptian supper: tea, hummus with beef, okra and pita |
La Fiesta de los Patios de Cordoba
By Laurel
Was I in luck!! The annual festival celebrating the flowered patios of Cordoba was beginning on our last day in the city. Residents open their private courtyards for flower-lovers (and their husbands) to visit the cool, green, and colourful oases that they have created and meticulously tended. The courtyards (patios) are a traditional housing design which provide light and ventilation to more of the rooms, well suited to the climate of Cordoba and listed by UNESCO as an “Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”
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Our grandchildren would love this unique courtyard — all the flowers were made with Lego! |
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
By Jim
Yesterday was Monday, and all of the monuments and museums were closed. Since our train did not leave until 10:30 this morning, we were able to get tickets to tour the Alcazar at 8:15. Bonus! This was a storied residence of Spanish Kings and Queens, and is where Ferdinand and Isabella commissioned Columbus to find a route to India in 1486. (We know how that turned out!) It also served as the headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition during the 16th and 17th centuries. The garden is famous for its pools and fountains, but as we found out, the largest and most impressive of them were drained for maintenance. Oh well, Mérida we roll along!
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Statues of King Ferdinand III, founder of the Cathedral of Córdoba and of Columbus receiving his commission from King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella |
Oh Laurel the flowers and courtyards are magnificent!!! Even the husbands must have appreciated them:)
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes! In fact, the husband took many of the courtyard photos!
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