Cordoba Cathedral

The history of Andalucia has confirmed that other great cultures left their impression on the each province. The Moors conquered Cordoba, one of eight provinces of Andalucia, in the year 711. The Moorish influence can still be felt and seen in every corner of the city. One of the most famous architectures that Cordoba is famous for is its Mosque. The Mosque, which is known by its Spanish name Mezquita, is the third largest mosque in the world. The cathedral is also known as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption.

Before the cathedral of Mezquita was constructed in the eight century, the area was host to a Roman temple dedicated to Janus and a Visiogothic cathedral dedicated to St. Vincent of Saragossa.  The basilica of San Vicente was expropriated and destroyed in order to build the new Mosque.  The construction of the Mezquita lasted for over two centuries, starting in 785 AD.

Formerly, Mezquita was a large complex, but after the conquest, the Christians built a cathedral in the center of the area forming two sacred sites. The Mezquita dates back as far as the eighth century while Cordoba was under the rule of Abd ar-Raham III. Under his rule, the Mezquita held an original copy of the Koran and an arm bone from the prophet Mohammed. This made the cathedral a major Muslim pilgrimage site. During this time Cordoba was already the largest and most prosperous cities even in science culture and the arts. The development of the Great Mosque also contributed to these achievements. This building would become the most important sanctuary of Western Islam.

The Mezquita underwent numerous changes such as an enlargement of the building, the completion of the outer aisles and the orange tree courtyard. There wasa  total of four stages of construction: Abd-ar-Raham I, Abd-ar-Rahman II, Al Hakam II and Al-Mansur. 

All these reforms were completed by 987 AD. In 1236, Cordoba was captured from the Moors by King Ferdinand III of Castile and rejoined Christendom. The Christians initially left the Mezquita undistributed and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary so that it could be used as a Christian place of worship. King Ferdinand III did not want to be present during the purification of the church because he believed that the Eternal King should be the main power to witness this ceremony. The first Eucharistic ceremony of the Dedication of the Cathedral was celebrated in the year 1236.

The Mezquita is quite the vision of arches and pillars. There are more than 850 colored granite, jasper and marble pillars in total. These marvelous arches and pillars were taken from the Roman temple, which had previously occupied the site and from other destroyed Roman buildings. The unique Islamic windows that adorn the Mezquita are also a beautiful attribute in the design of this temple. The building symbolizes the many religious changes Cordoba has undergone over the centuries.

The works of the main chapel, transept and choir all began in 1523. The architects were Hernan Ruiz I, II, III, Diego de Praves and Juan de Ochoa.  The result consisted of a mix of gothic, renaissance and baroque structures. Although it does not fit in with the rest of the mosque, the 16th-century Baroque choir is impressive in its own right, with an intricately carved ceiling and choir stalls. A vault inspired by the Sistine Chapel covers the choir. Artist and architects continued to add to the existing structure until the late 18^th century.

King Alfonso X oversaw the construction of the Villaviciosa Chapel and the Royal Chapel within the structure of the mosque. The kings who followed added further Christian features: Enrique II rebuilt the chapel in the 14th century; a nave was constructed with the patronage of Carlos V, king of a united Spain.

Entering the Mezquita, you will find yourself in the “Courtyard of the Orange Trees (Patio de los Na ranjos)”. In the 15^th century the original palm tress were substituted by the orange trees, thus giving it its name. In the springtime you could embrace the smell of the orange blossoms as well as the beautiful fountain also located in this courtyard.

In 1931, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal was the first Muslim to pray in the Mezquita since it was closed to Islam. In 1984, the historic center of Cordoba, including the Mezquita, was made a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of the biggest missions of the church was to safeguard and inspire culture and art. 

Flamenco!

Flamenco has always meant a lot of different things to me since I have been raised in a Latin family and have always understood that some of my Spanish roots consisted of all types of Spanish dance. It was a great experience being able to see the Museum of Flamenco in Sevilla and learning all about the history of the beautiful and artistic dance. The most unique part of the lecture given by the German owner, Kirk, was the fact that it all started in the very city we are exploring! Sevilla, or the province of Andalusia, is the birth area of the very famous dance known as flamenco. Several theories have also contributed to the start of the dance but the fact is that today it creates a 5.1 million Euros in business revenue.

The traditional song and dance of the Gypsies actually developed over several centuries. It had several different influences such as Gypsies from India, the Moorish, Andalusian and several other roots. The dance was seen as early at 206B.C. being danced on the streets. From the VIII to the XV centuries, when Spain was under Arab domination, their music and musical instruments were modified and adapted by Christians and Jews, and later by gypsies.

The Indian’s that brought the traditional worship dance to Spain came through Asia Minor at the time. There is no record as to why these Gypsies were escaping from India. The Gypsies arrived in Spain in the year 1425. These groups in turn were persecuted at the end of the Arab rule and during the Spanish inquisition so that Flamenco was born and thrived as a voice of protest and hope and as a cultural and emotional expression of the subjugated masses. As of the 18^th century flamenco was no longer allowed so to be able to continue the passionate dance that gypsies used it in the 19^th century as a tourism café experience.

Flamenco consists of three aspects: singing, dance and clapping. The actual castanets were created and taken from the island of Crete. The hand motions and movement came from the Indian worship dances. Music and dance fall into three categories: 
jondo or grande (profound or deep) intensely sad and dealing with themes of death, anguish, despair or religious sentiments; 
intermedio (intermediate) less profound but also moving, often with an oriental cast to the music; and 
chico (small or light) with subjects of love, ribald humour and happiness. These different versions help express the movement through musical tension as well as facial and gesture expression. I feel that each of these differences creates a storyline for the dancer.

Individual genres include the light bulerías; the more serious soleares and its lighter descendant, the alegrías; the fandangos grandes, a serious adaptation of a lighter non-Gypsy genre; the malagueñas, an offshoot of the fandangos; and cantos grandes such as the siguiriyas gitanas and saetas. As we all visited the Museum of Flamenco we were able to learn our own min routine with one of the instructors. She explained to us that all flamenco dancers interpret the music in a different way and therefore will create their own personal style to the dance.

Both text and melody of these songs, like the flamenco dance, are improvised within traditional structures such as characteristic rhythms and chords. Zapateado, intricate toe- and heel-clicking steps, characterizes the men's dance; the traditional women's dance is based more on grace of body and hand movement. Our dance instructor also explained to us that hip movement is a huge factor to the beauty of the dance. Also the reason they do the feet tapping is originally to count their ballads for timing.

“Flamenco is very much alive today in Spain at the grass roots level in Andalucia at weddings, parties and social events as a cultural expression where young and old, male and female participate equally. At the same time Gypsies and non-Gypsies alike are performing Flamenco on stages far away from its birthplace and over the years it has become a highly polished art form with countless aficionados worldwide.”

 

http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/flamenco/

First day of school...

Today was my first day at la Uneversidad de Sevilla, edificio de Comunicaciones. It's very nice and is just as big as our communications campus in Miami. It was pretty funny... all of the students were starring at us as if we were aliens! I suppose we would stare at them too if they were visiting us. lol. Well we had two lectures in Spainsh by the profesores at the campus. The first lecture was on the history of Espana & the second lecture was on the history of Sevilla. It was interesting since we had just done the tours on the historical sights around Sevilla...I had a better mental picture about what they were talking about.

After our lectures we were invited to watch a flamenco show in the auditorium! What a dance, what an art. Tomorrow we are going to a Flamenco museum and are also getting a private lesson on dancing flamenco! Ole!

Once we got back to our hostel... me and some of the girls went to eat dinner at a little corner cafe to eat bocadillos- which are little sandwiches- and vino (for 1,30 euros!- thats about $2) lol.

By the way... fun hostel experience fact:

My room is three flights of stairs up. no elevator. The room is small but quaint- three beds side by side. Great bathroom and nice hot water. But yea... try climbing three flights of stairs after walking a whole city!!! haha. but I absolutely love it!

xoxo, V

Weekends were made for.....walking?

Oh boy! talk about embracing the culture.... we even embrace their lifestyle! We walk walk walk everywhere!

Here is me playing a little catchup:

Saturday: The day started with a walking tour of Sevilla. We visited (on foot) some of Sevillas most historic places as well as all the different zones and walkways they have. It's incredible that every corner is a kodak opportunity! Beautiful!!! Even the roads with their bumpy bricks lol. The walking tour is definitely the best way to intake this beautiful Spanish culture and architecture. Everyone in Sevilla either walks or rides a motor bike. Beware of their motor-biker's! lol I almost got ran over three times! haha We had lunch at Dona Maria and ate pork patatas & vino de verano. They use A LOT of olive oil! jeeze. but nonetheless the food was great and the dessert was even better. This restaurant, and most of our tour, was in Triana. Triana is also part of Sevilla but they ironically think they are a separate city because of their separation by the main river here.

Oh! another cool thing we saw was a wedding!!! Everyone who attends a wedding, well just the women of course, wears a huge hat with feathers or just big colorful feathers on their head! Can't wait to post the pictures. But their fashion is enviable. It's so exotic yet perfect. Sex and the City on steroids! :) 

Sunday: Yesterday was fabulous. We started the day yet again walking (ok from here on out just remember I walk everywhere when I'm in Sevilla- I better come home 10 pounds lighter). We finished learning all there was to be learned about Sevillian history. We also took a guided tour of one of the famous HUGE cathedrals in the heart of Sevilla (i'll get the name later). Ate lunch at another restaurant which served a specialty chicken. Tasty but very salty...lol.

But the best part of today was the infamous Bull Run of Spanish tradition! wow! I must admit that at first I was a little choked up and disturbed... but soon after... I got comfortable and accepted it as an art from a culture that I was simply not raised in.  Nonetheless, it was something to be experienced in this journey abroad.

xoxo, V

Settling in :)

So the first night was a rough one. We were all jet-lagged and exhausted. We settled in to our hostel Naranjo Bed & Breakfast. Although it's a hostel it is nothing like in the movies. It' pretty fun! :) Our first flight of 9 hours to Madrid was smooth but our second flight of 2 hours to Sevilla was super bumpy- lots of turbulence. I think my best experience on the first plane was when the stewetist asked me what I would have to drink with my on-flight dinner... I said that Coca-Cola would be fine... then he said to me "Estas llegando a Espana y te tienes que acostumbrar!" with that statement he slammed a red wine mini bottle on my plane table. haha. 

After we all got established we took "siestas" & then off to our Tapas dinner at Don Rosa. Omg! you can't even imagine! Besides the fact that each and every Tapa they served was exquisite the wine was overflowing! The best part of all, in my opinion, was the location! Imagine being rooftoop with a perfect sky...a view of one of Spains oldest cathedrals and the perfect weather. It was straight out of a movie! The pictures can never show you what I saw this particular night. 

For dessert we went to a near by gellato cremery.

What a day!

xoxo, V

Before we can enjoy today... we must learn about yesterday!

The history of Sevilla is extremely fascinating. Sevilla is the capital of Andalucía, a region in southern Spain with a unique blend of people, cultures and religions. Throughout all the research and facts one thing remained constant and that was the agreement of several great eras and centuries of contribution through influence. Sevilla is the historical land it is today because of all of the distinct cultures that left their traces. Sevilla possesses an unbeatable legacy of Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian treasures. The Romans governed the region for over six centuries and changed the face of the town with aqueducts, buildings and roads.

Comprising the earliest part of Sevilla’s history, the Phoenicians were the first to recognize the potential of its excellent riverside location, the lucrative port first flourished under the Romans, and the Visigoths oversaw the city’s flourishing as a major cultural center. The Guadalquivir River became both a river port and a bridge between the Atlantic Ocean and the hinterland of Andalusia. Sevilla has also been a crossroads between the Northeast and West of the Iberian Peninsula.

 Even as far back as the beginnings of the first millennium B.C. the area of Sevilla was destined to become the great market place of the Guadalquivir Valley. The original Sevilla was born where the river became no longer navigable for seagoing ships. Archaeological excavations undertaken in La Cuesta del Rosario confirm that the first permanent settlements date back to the 9th century.

The Muslims can also claim to have established the land of Sevilla. The Muslim civilization had the most impact on the city. Their reign lasted for nearly 8 centuries from 711 until the catholic monarchs took over in 1492. Some of the city's most magnificent buildings stand as a legacy to this era. The exotic architecture dominating much of Sevilla is just one of the traces left behind by the Muslim culture that conquered the Visigoths and ruled the city. They bestowed upon Sevilla a new name, Ishbiliya, and unrivaled splendor as they converted it into the most important city of al-Andalus, the Islamic kingdom that sprawled across southern Spain. Muslim rule, while it lasted for centuries on end, did eventually fall to the 13th century’s reconquista. The conquering King Fernando III recognized the vast possibilities of the reacquired city and within one century it rose to become the cosmopolitan hub of Christian Spain. For the two centuries after Columbus discovered America, Sevilla achieved its greatest glory, becoming the hub of all trade and the gateway from Europe to America and becoming one of the richest cities in Spain. Many aristocrats, painters, sculptors, writers and architects have left their mark in the city, which can be seen in the magnificent monuments, churches, art galleries and museums around the city.

 Sevilla’s intrinsic charm became a magnet for people of all walks of life and it remains as such today. Unfortunately, like many good things Sevilla’s prosperity did not last forever. During the 17th and 18th centuries, a streak of bad luck, devastating plagues, and the emergence of nearby Cádiz as the new “Port of the Indies” spiraled Sevilla into a decline that would last until the 20th century.

 The unwavering optimism natural to every sevillano survived the centuries of struggle and hope rose with the 1929 Latin-American Exposition in Sevilla. Beautiful buildings once again sprang up, lush parks sprawled across the land, and droves of tourists reveled in the tranquil beauty of their beloved Sevilla. Progress was put on a long-term hiatus with the onset of the Spanish Civil War, after which Spain fell under the 35-year repressive dictatorship of Francisco Franco. In Sevilla, historic buildings were torn down while others fell helplessly into ruin. Following Franco’s 1975 death, the proud and ever-passionate sevillanos have brought their city back up to its deserving glory. Old buildings have been and are being restored to their former splendor, tourism is hopping, and Sevilla is once again the cultural leader that it was always destined to be.

Another great piece of mythical history that caught my attention was the honor that analyst give to the mythical hero Hercules. It is said that he marked the city limits of Seville with six columns so that Julius Caesar could make his “discovery”. The Roman general called the new city “Iulia Romula Hispalis”. Some Sevillians hold their belief in this mythical idea and even celebrate a popular verse: “Raised by Hercules, Julius Caesar fortified me, with high walls and towers, I was conquered for the king of heaven by Garcí Pérez de Vargas.” So great was the admiration felt by Renaissance Seville towards her mythical founders that their statues, specially sculpted by Diego Pasquera, were placed on two granite pillars with Corinthian capitals in the newly created promenade, Alameda de Hércules, where they can still be admired. Incidentally, the two columns were removed from the ruins of a Roman temple in calle Mármoles where two sister columns remain. 



 

http://www.whatsevilla.com/sevilla-history.html

http://www.aboutsevilla.com/sevilla/history.asp

Someone Pinch Me!

It's simply incredible to think of all the years we overcome. All of the many collected days of school, work and struggles. Since I was a young girl, I dreamt about traveling abroad to study. I suppose those very dreams sprouted from the romantic movies that challenge the every day student to pursue more than just the comfort of their home town. After so many years of studying and working hard... I am now making a dream reality. In just two days I will be traveling across the ocean into a land where culture and education are soaring! 

I will be in Sevilla, Spain!

I have traveled to Spain with my family before and knew it would be the perfect place for my studies. I suppose this time the experience is quite different from the time I went with my family. This time I will be alone. Independent. Definitely out of the comfort zone I am familiar with and into an opportunity that will have me telling stories for years to come. Of course this will also strengthen my appreciation for my loved ones that I will be leaving in Miami. It will be so difficult to be in a new & exciting place and NOT be able to share every moment with my family and friends. 

But... I know I will bring back lots of pictures with stories. My mission with my blog is to be able to share my dream adventure with everyone who wants to come with me. Follow my blog and I promise to keep you up-to-date with my daily commute on my journey abroad.

xoxo,

V.