Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
Pablo Picasso, the great Spanish painter, was born in Málaga in 1881, left early and never returned. Nevertheless a museum was created for home at the city center, close to his birthplace (which can also be visited). At his an ancient building with a big courtyard in Arab style. The few exhibits are arranged in the wings of the house.
When visiting Málaga, Spain you’ll directly see a fortification on the hill above. The Alcazaba (Arab for “citadel”) has been built by the Moors in the 11th century CE. It is beautifully repaired for touristic reasons (which includes, that the reparation works are not always historically correct) and you can tour the houses and courtyards of this castle – which is especially nice because of the water flows realized throughout the area.
One of the most beautiful stops during my road trip throughout Andalucía was Ronda. No big motorway leads there. It is necessary to take streets winding through the huge mountains. But the time to travel there is invested very well: Ronda lies on the back of two lofty plains and you can stand directly at the chasm and enjoy views on the landscape surrounding the city.
Cádiz, Spain is a city in the eastern end of Andalucía. It is famous for its harbour which is very important for touristic sea cruises and the Spanish military fleet. The natural conditions show why: the city is located on a land tongue that reaches into the bay of Cádiz. It is maybe the perfect harbour.
Even if you’ve never been to Sevilla, Spain you might have the feeling of having seen the Plaza de España before – if you’re a fan of Star Wars. In Episode II (“Attack of the Clones”) this place was used as a scenery depicting the planet Naboo. The scenes have been altered digitally massively, but you still get that special feeling while walking over the bridges and along the water.
The cathedral of Sevilla, Spain – Santa María de la Sede – dates back to 1401. It is the biggest gothic-style church in the world. Within you’ll find the grave of Christopher Columbus in a sarcophagus carried by four giant stone figures (even though the real burial-place of his remains is unclear). The church has many interesting structures but what stands out is the bell tower, “La Giralda“.
The royal palace in Sevilla, Spain is a set of medieval buildings and differently styled gardens in the city center. It was first a moorish fortification and was then continously enhanced. Today it is a tourist attraction and still the home of the Spanish royal family when staying in Sevilla.
Continue reading “Reales Alcázares”
After having hotels directly in the city centers of Málaga, Granada and Córdoba I found it very refreshing to go to the countryside. The Hacienda de Orán is located in the area of Utrera, 30 km south of Sevilla. It is a classic Hacienda: a main building surrounded by buildings forming a squarish wall around. It is a peaceful place with many opportunities to sit outside and relax.
Travelling throughout Andalucía means being mostly at places well prepared for tourism: everybody is speaking English and there are plenty of offers for foreigners. If you want to get away from this, Carmona – located between Córdoba and Sevilla – is a very good stop. This small town with 28.000 inhabitants is located on a mountain plateau and offers medieval fortifications and nice panoramas on the Sierra Morena.
Continue reading “Spanish hinterland”
When travelling along river Guadalquivir from Córdoba to Sevilla one sight can be seen already from far: the Castillo of Almodóvar del Río, Spain. It has been built in the 8th century CE by the moors and is situated on an outstanding hill – a strategic position to control the plains.
Continue reading “Almodóvar del Río”