On Friday, we left early in the morning for Córdoba. We visited la Mezquita de Córdoba, or the Great Mosque. The mosque was founded in the year 785 and was later used as a church after the Christians took over the city. Later, we toured the Sinagoga de Córdoba, a small 14th century synagogue, which is one of the three surviving medieval synagogues in Spain. We also visited the beautiful Judería, or Jewish Quarter.
La Mezquita de Córdoba
Narrow streets in the Jewish Quarter
Later that day, we left Córdoba to head to Granada. After checking into the hotel, we hiked up the narrow streets of the city to the Albaycín quarter and the Mirador de San Nicolás, a beautiful, hilltop viewpoint. I don't have any pictures from the top because my camera just didn't do it justice at night. After, we all attended a flamenco show! The show was held inside a bar/restaurant that was actually a cave. It was a former cave home in the Sacromonte neighborhood, or gypsy quarter, of Granada. The show was even more amazing than I had imagined! Check out my Facebook or Instagram for a short video of the performance!
On Saturday, we visited the Alhambra. The Alhambra is a former fortress from the 9th century. It was largely abandoned until the 11th century when the moorish king, Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar, reovated and used it as his royal palace. The Islamic Palaces of the Alahambra were built for the last Muslim emirs in Spain of the Nasrid Dynasty. After the Reconquista, some portions of the palace were used by Christian rulers.
La Alhambra
Out for the night in Granada!
On Sunday, we visited the Royal Chapel in Granada, where the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, are buried. Isabella commissioned the the gothic-style mausoleum, so that she and her family could be buried there. Unfortunately, no pictures for this one either (we weren't allowed)!
