We toured the Mezquita and Jewish quarter in Córdoba and explored other parts of the city. In Sevilla we visited Plaza de España, Reales Alcázares, the Santa Cruz quarter, and the Cathedral and it's tower. All of these historic sites where extremely impressive and seemed to be larger than life.
The first impressive thing that I noticed was the extreme mixture of cultures. Both in Córdoba and Sevilla, the tours were tales of three cultures Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. All of these cultures came together to produce an amazing community, something that may seem to be impossible to many today. Inside the Mezquita, a giant beautiful mosque, there was a beautiful Cathedral and only a block or so away was the Jewish quarter. All three cultures where openly represented as if this mixture was a point of pride for the people of Córdoba.
I was also extremely impressed with our tour guides. Both days we had wonderful women that made the sites come alive as they explained the history and significance of all the amazing things surrounding us. Whether it was the Mesquita in Cordoba or the Reales Alcâzares in Sevilla I learned something new every time our guides opened there mouths.
An interesting and important thing that I failed to really realize until looking back at this trip was the amazing walkability of everything. It didn't always feel like it at the time due to my sore feet and the heat but everything was extremely close together. It is shocking to think about all the history in this cities that is fit into a few square miles. One would have to drive hours all around the united states to really experience as much history and culture as we did this weekend.
The thing I liked most about my trip this weekend was the linking of modern and historical significance that we discovered. For example, at Plaza de España we saw beautiful murals and benches describing the history of Spain's numerous regions while at the same time learning that the site had been used for Star Wars and watching an on going 10K. All of the cities had this old historical feeling while simultaneously feeling like they where more alive than ever. It's the kind of feeling that is impossible to find in the United States.
All of my friends are much better photographers than I so I encourage all to look at everyone else's blogs post for their beautiful photos. That being said, I have included many of my favorites bellow.
Plaza de España
Reales Alcâzares
The Cathedral and it's tower
The first impressive thing that I noticed was the extreme mixture of cultures. Both in Córdoba and Sevilla, the tours were tales of three cultures Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. All of these cultures came together to produce an amazing community, something that may seem to be impossible to many today. Inside the Mezquita, a giant beautiful mosque, there was a beautiful Cathedral and only a block or so away was the Jewish quarter. All three cultures where openly represented as if this mixture was a point of pride for the people of Córdoba.
I was also extremely impressed with our tour guides. Both days we had wonderful women that made the sites come alive as they explained the history and significance of all the amazing things surrounding us. Whether it was the Mesquita in Cordoba or the Reales Alcâzares in Sevilla I learned something new every time our guides opened there mouths.
An interesting and important thing that I failed to really realize until looking back at this trip was the amazing walkability of everything. It didn't always feel like it at the time due to my sore feet and the heat but everything was extremely close together. It is shocking to think about all the history in this cities that is fit into a few square miles. One would have to drive hours all around the united states to really experience as much history and culture as we did this weekend.
The thing I liked most about my trip this weekend was the linking of modern and historical significance that we discovered. For example, at Plaza de España we saw beautiful murals and benches describing the history of Spain's numerous regions while at the same time learning that the site had been used for Star Wars and watching an on going 10K. All of the cities had this old historical feeling while simultaneously feeling like they where more alive than ever. It's the kind of feeling that is impossible to find in the United States.
All of my friends are much better photographers than I so I encourage all to look at everyone else's blogs post for their beautiful photos. That being said, I have included many of my favorites bellow.
Mezquita
Plaza de España
Reales Alcâzares
The Cathedral and it's tower
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