The group returned yesterday from our extensive trip across Southern Spain. In eight days we visited Madrid, Cordoba, Granada, Seville, and Merida... it was quite the survey.
We stayed in the historic districts of each area, so I got to experience the best (touristy) sites that each city had to offer.
Seville and Granada were my favorites, but I loved Cordoba and Madrid as well (Merida is definitely only worth one day).
We had beautiful weather except for one drizzly day in Cordoba. In Granada we went to an overlook on a hillside and saw a very spectacular sunset over the Alhambra. Speaking of which, the Nazarine Palace at the Alhambra is unbelievable. It's definitely the must-see of Spain that I would recommend.
Seville was pleasant and beautiful, a very nice place to visit. The weather was a perfect 70 degrees while we were there. The gardens of the Alcazar were also a highlight.
It was really nice to see the spectacular examples of Islamic architecture sprinkled throughout Spain. All in all, the trip was great, but it's nice to be back in Barcelona, with all its gritty and unique charm.
Our first day in Madrid, we sketched Placa Mayor. It was cold, but worth it.
This is the Roman Bridge of Cordoba with the famous mosque in the background.
This a picture of the famous horseshoe columns in the mosque.
This is a panorama looking out at Granada from the Alhambra.
These are the light and delicate columns of the Court of Lions in the Alhambra. The geometry and math behind these columns is extremely complex.
Here's the Placa Espana of Seville (they shot some of the new Stars Wars movie here).
Here I am in the Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic church in the world.
Our last night we visited the aqueducts in Merida (among other Roman ruins). The designers of the mosque in Cordoba were inspired by these aquaducts, it seems...
So, there's a brief summary of the field trip. Eleven days until Rome!
