ANDALUCIA: the fashion of Arab influence

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Land full of charm and very suggestive, the Andalucia behold the influence of Christianity with the impact of Moorish.
The cultural and architectural richness of Andalusia, with its palaces, flamenco, art and literature is immense. The buildings survived to Christianity are few, but those left behind (the Mezquita in Córdoba, the Alhambra in Granada and the Giralda in Seville) are among the best in the world.
Andalusia would not be such without the flamenco. This expression of music and dance originating in the region began to be played by gitanos at the end of the eighteenth century and expressed their condition of marginalization. Andalucia has inspired many composers (Manuel de Falla was born in Cádiz, Albéniz and Granados) and artists (Zurbaran, Velasquez, Goya, a Picasso).

TO VISIT:

Ronda:
beautiful town literally divided in two dalo overhang known as "El Tajo". Bellissima anche la Plaza de Toros chè famous for the only suit in Spain to have the stone parapets instead of wood.

Seville:
Land of bullfights and flamenco, full of Islamic monuments and beautiful gardens, Seville is the largest city of Andalusia, a historic and artistic masterpiece inhabited by people who loves to have fun and where it is difficult to be bored.
Absolutely worth visiting is the huge cathedral, built on the site where once stood the great Mosque almohada, and the famous Giralda, the ancient brick minaret built 90 m high, on which a bronze anemoscope that represents Faith, symbol of the city. Just the original, damaged by time, was replaced by a copy.
To the south of the cathedral stands the palace dell'Alcazar, home to many kings of Spain, which houses the Museo de Bellas Artes, which exhibited paintings of the period of Spanish gold.
If you prefer, you can let yourself be seduced by the streets of the old medieval Jewish quarter, Barrio de Santa Cruz, once inhabited by gypsies, and now completely refurbished, where to line up local cafes and trendy.
Do not miss the neighborhood of the Macarena, the Archive of the Indies which preserves documents relevant to the New World, the Torre del Oro thus defined as a time, its facade was covered with golden azulejos which reflected the light, for the Park of Maria Luisa, the Plaza de Espana was built at the Ibero American Exposition of 1929; la Cartuja (technology city) and the theme park's magic.

Cordoba:
Bathed by the river Guadalquivir, the province of Cordoba is the northernmost of all the Andalusian province of Granada and is about 166 Km
Mosque Maggiore is the most famous monument of the Muslim. The work was begun in 780 by Abd Al Rahman I then expanded over time and time again. The Mosque is distinguished by the presence of simple columns that represent the building for the unicabase support. What in the Mezquita especially striking is the fact that the ceiling, reaching 13 meters, were higher than could be any column. The problem was solved by overlapping orders of arches above the other and building a column or a pillar on top of an 'other column. The Mezquita had 850 columns, and perhaps more today, after the massacre carried out inside the Mosque to build a Christian altar, it remains about half. The columns follow each other in rows arranged like trees in a plantation. Dominate the arches and lacks the sharp arc that is elsewhere typical of Islam. The extraordinary beauty of this building lies in the measured ratio of size and proportions.

Do not miss:
• The Alcazar of Catholic Kings, close to the Mosque, was built in 1328. It looks like a fortress with square towers at the corners
• The synagogue (the only one present in Andalucia) located in the district of Juderia

Granada:
Capital of the province of Andalucia, Granada is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada along the river Darro.

The Alhambra and the Generalife are the route of the walk from the center of the city goes to the red hill, in which is the most beautiful complex of art Hispanic-Arab culture nazario consists of a fortified complex, once a royal residence, place sull'altura which dominates the main city. (visits from 9am to 18 (winter) or 19 (summer)). The Generalife, built in the 13th century as summer residence of the Arab rulers, is especially famous for its enchanting gardens.

For the Alhambra must climb along the cuesta de Gomerez; Gate of Pomegranates, built in 1536, it has three arches. Crossing this, we arrive at pioppeto dell'Alhambra where born three steep paths. Following the right decision is reached at Torri Vermiglio, the oldest fortress in Granada. The trail leads to the center Generalife and the left front of a good source call of Charles V. Pilar Next to the Pilar, the Door of Justice, dell'Alhambra main entrance in the south side. Once through the door, stands the Palace of Charles V, the massive building in the most sober Renaissance style. It houses the Museo dell'Alhambra and the Academy of Fine Arts La Porta del Vino is the one that gave access to the top dell'Alhambra, the arc ogive of its main facade facing the Alcazaba, or citadel.

The Alcazaba is, along with the Vermilion Towers, the oldest building of the Alhambra complex. Here there are several towers, the most famous is the Tower of Sail, which measures 16 meters square and 25 high, whose bells indicated the shift of irrigation of the fertile plains around them.

The Generalife, summer residence of the sovereign nazario dates from the fourteenth century, surrounded by terraced gardens, water jets and fountains. Going for walks and Cipressi Oleandri until you reach the Palace, a building of two pavilions joined by a tunnel and some of the rooms. At the center is the Patio de la Acequia, or courtyard of the channel.

The walk that connects the Sacromonte and Albacina begins in New Square and continues through Piazza Santa Anna, where is situated the homonymous church, a building of Mudejar influence. The river Darro runs parallel to the street here and the buildings collapse on the right along its shores.

For up to the Sacromonte and Albacina take the Cuesta Chapiz. To its right stands the Palace of Cordoba. Nearby are the homes of Chapiz, neighborhood traditionally inhabited by gypsies. Are houses dug into the mountain and some of these caves have held performances of dance and song known as' zambras'.

CENTERS OF MINOR INTEREST

Puerto Banus: known as the "Monte Carlo" dell'Andalucia. Rich in local boutiques and trendy.
Nerja: beautiful town famous for the "Balcon de Europa 'where you can enjoy fabulous panoramic views.
Mija: classic pueblo blanco in a timeless space.

The visit of this region requires at least two weeks of residence and the rental car. Dell'ALHAMBRA for visiting it is advisable to book tickets well in advance because the inputs are permitted Group dorari and well defined. Very stringent controls.