Spain, Andalusia – Trip for Romance II

Those who lived in Alhambra are long gone. Their house breath with desire of beauty, love, and bliss. It has been alive because it materialized men’s dream. I wander in the gardens full of blossoming bushes, palm trees, cypress trees, orange trees. Narcissus bounds to its image on lake’s surface, and water opens white blossoms of pond lily.

I continue to Charles V yard . After a dreamy phantom, immaterialized architecture of the Moores I encounter a huge brick square. Tons of matter, matter of grey masonry… Official European architecture materialized transpersonal idea. The temple as the symbol of God’s omnipotence – majesty of a ruler, public building – authority and superiority to citizen. On the other hand, Moor architecture is created to man’s image, to his greatness and desire. It is fragmented into details that combine and intertwine. It despise monumentality yet it doesn’t amaze, don’t crush. It uplifts. Art was there for a man, life, it decorated the life, made it better.

I cannot way to see Generalife, the residence of the sultans of Granada. Water is the main construction material. Streams, and fountains splash water into the air, or it just flows on cascades. The garden s another beautiful place at this summer palace. It consists of cypress trees, citruses, myrtle, oleander, boxwood, roses, and many other beautiful plants. I walk along seabeds, pavilions, terraces, and paths on not particularly large compounds on steep slope …

After the tour, I walk downhill through the park, take pictures of Alhambra from the bottom. It looms over the city with pride. I go to Albacín on Mirador, or observation platform from whre I have the best picture. Three boys play guitars there, they are better than Paco de Lucía perhaps. Riveting rhythm of guitarrs can left anyone without emotions...

I continue to see famous Renaissance cathedral on Gothical foundations. It was designed by the painter and architect Alonso Cano who is buried inside. The most visited is the King’s Chapel where Ferdinand of Aragon rests with his wife Isabella of Castile. Jewelries that Isabella gave into pawn in order to finance Columbus’ expedition are exhibited there. Ferdinand – true warrior and victor over the Muars. Isabella – co-ruler, cared a lot about her country, brave, and wise woman.

The cathedral was supposed to surpass Alhambra. Pilgrims had to come and marvel on Catholic grand temple and the might of the church. Yet many of them wanted to see Orintal pagan temple that would easily surpass the cathedral hidden in the city.

To be continued...

Text and photo: Sylvie Halouzková