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Showing posts from August, 2016

Jewish Quarter, Cordoba

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The Jewish quarter of Cordoba stands north-west of the Mosque-Cathedral and dates back to the Roman Empire. However, it was most prosperous under the Caliphate of Cordoba, preserving many of its Moorish features. Its small synagogue, built in 1315, is the oldest medieval synagogue in Andalucia. For those who appreciate, there's also a Bullfighting Museum- Museo Taurino de Cordoba.

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Cordoba, Spain

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The Castle of the Christian Monarchs is a military fortification, built by orders of Alfonso XI de Castilla in 1328, over previous constructions, mainly Arab. It was home, for eight years, to the Christian Monarchs, Fernando II de Aragon and Isabel I de Castilla during their campaign against the kingdom of Granada. It was later used as one of the first tribunals and headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition, which converted much of it in interrogation and torture chambers. The Alcazar served as a garrison for Napoleon Bonaparte and his troops in 1810 and was later converted into a prison. It was classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1994 (extension). Opening hours : Monday to Saturday 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (2.30 p.m. Sundays and holidays). Closed on Mondays and August 15th. Entrance fee : €4.50 How to go: From Seville (about 40 minutes, aprox. every hour, €21) or Madrid (about 1h50m, every 30 minutes, €62.70) you can take the AVE train. More information here .

Kyrenia Castle, Cyprus

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Kyrenia Castle was reconstructed by the Venetians in the 14th century, over a previous crusaders fortification. It houses the Shipwreck Museum which exhibits the remains of a greek merchant ship. The ship was already 80 years old when it sank and dates back to the 4th century BC, one of the oldest vessels ever recovered from the bottom of the sea. One of the castle's prisoners was Joanna L'Aleman, a young widow from Paphos when she met and became the mistress of King Peter I of Cyprus. While Joanna was pregnant the king had to leave on a Crusade and the queen took advantage of his absence to imprison and torture Joanna, disappearing with the baby at birth. Informed of these events, the king wrote to the queen, who had to tone it down, releasing Joanna but forcing her to take the veil. With the king's return, Joanna was truly released and is said to have lived with the king until his death. Summer opening hours 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Winter opening hours 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, Spain

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The Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral was built on top of the Visigothic Saint Vincent's basilica, which was destroyed by orders of Abdemarran the II, to give way to the main mosque of the city. It dates back to the 10th century when Cordoba was one of the most prosperous cities in Europe. The Mosque was consecrated as a Christian Cathedral in the same year Cordoba was reconquered but few changes occurred during the next three centuries.It was only in the 16th century that the renaissance cathedral, in the middle of the mosque, was built. Opening hours : Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Nov. to Feb.) Sundays and holidays 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Nov. to Feb.) Ticket (standard) : €8

Church of Santa Maria la Mayor, Ronda, Spain

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The Church of Santa Maria La Mayor was built, by order of the Catholic Monarchs, over the main mosque, in 1486, right after the "reconquest" of Ronda. The church presents different architectural styles: gothic, corresponding to the original building of the 15th century and renaissance and baroque, corresponding to the reconstruction of the building, in the 16th and 17th centuries, following an earthquake. Opening hours : 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ticket (standard) : €2

Mondragon Palace, Ronda, Spain

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The Mondragon Palace is a Mudejar-Renaissance building, originally built in the 14th century for the Benimeri king Abb Al Malik. Some of the Mudejar detail remains- the ceilings, some tiling, the balconied inner courtyards and the water gardens. After Al Malik's death, Ronda became part of the kingdom of Granada and the palace became home to the Nazari Governor. Ronda was later conquered by the Catholic Monarchs, in 1485, and eventually became a property of the Marqués de Villasierra. The palace was rebuilt in the 16th century. It currently houses the Archaeological Museum of Ronda and its lively exhibition makes it a very interesting place to visit with children. Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket (standard): €3. On Tuesday it's free for E.U. citizens from 3 p.m.

Arab Baths, Ronda, Spain

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The Arab Baths in Ronda were built in the 11th or 12th century.  The Hammam (Arab bath) is the Muslim adaptation of the ancient Roman baths, consisting of the same system of reception, three rooms for bathing, cold, temperate and hot, under floor heating (hypocaust) and heater. Baths were important in Arab times, both for religious and social reasons. Opening hours: From Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (7 p.m. Spring-Summer) Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on December 25th and January 1st and 6th. Tickets (standard): 3€

Palacio del Rey Moro, Ronda, Spain

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The Palacio del Rey Moro (Moorish King's Palace), in Ronda , has two main attractions: The Secret Mine A 14th-century Arab fortress, which, according to local legend, was built by the Muslim King Abomelic, in the days when Ronda occupied a strategic position on the border between Castile and what would become the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. The mine is reached by wide steps carved in a zigzag pattern out of the rock and covered by an ingenious system of overlapping vaults. At the bottom of the steps is the Hall of the Spring, where there was once a well. Further down is a robust military tower which defended the mine and served as a secret escape from town. Forestier's Hanging Gardens The gardens that surround the Palace were designed by the French architect Forestier and laid in 1912. Forestier's original design has been preserved, with gardens hanging over the gaps in the cliff along the river Guadalevin. The gardens are inspired by the Hispano-Moorish traditi

Real Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor, Antequera, Spain

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The Collegiate was founded by bishop D. Diego Ramirez de Villaescusa in the 16th century and it took 36 years to build, between 1514 and 1550. It is one of the first examples of renaissance architecture, at a time when Spanish architecture was still dominated by the Gothic style. Opening hours : Monday to Saturday- 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday- 10.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It closes at 3 p.m. in summer months. Ticket (standard) : 6€, including the Alcazaba de Antequera close to the Collegiate and an audioguide for both.Start by the Alcazaba to get the price for both.

Iglesia de Santiago, Antequera, Spain

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Small Baroque church with Mudejar elements, built in 1765. Opening hours: 9.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance free.

Alcazaba de Antequera, Spain

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The original fortification was built in roman times but it was during the Muslim occupation that the castle gained dimension and importance. In 1410 it was conquered by the Christian forces, lead by prince D. Fernando. It was inhabited up to 1656  when it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday- 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday- 10.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It closes at 3 p.m. in summer months. Ticket (standard): 6€, including the Collegiate of Santa Maria la Mayor close to the Alcazaba and an audioguide for both.