Granada - Spain

The first Spanish city I visited in 2015 was Granada.  My friend and I left the coast in the early hours of the morning under a typically spotless sky and warm Spanish day.  The weather, as we were nearing Granada turned increasingly darker and on our arrival, the city welcomed us with rain.  I even had to buy an umbrella simply to get about and check a few places in the old part of the city.  Needless to say that my planned visit to the famous Alhambra, located near Granada had to be cancelled.  Despite the weather, I was completely taken by the rare beauty and the historic past of that place during my brief visit.  I will definitely return to Granada with hopefully a more clement sky on my side.  My friend who had previously visited this city generously provided me with some images of this amazing city.


Granada - Spain



A Street in Granada - Spain

Granada is the capital of the province of Granada in the community of Andalusia in the south of Spain.  It is about 70km from the Mediterranean coast between Almeria and Malaga.  It is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and sits at an average elevation of 700 meters above sea level.  It is the 13th-largest urban area of Spain.

One of the many churches in Granada - Spain

A lamp post in a Granada Square


A lamp post in a Granada Square

When the Moors arrived, the town was largely inhabited by Jews.  They called the place” Garnat-al-Yahud” - Granada of the Jews.  The Jews are said to have been one of the first peoples to settle in Spain, even before the Romans.

Granada Moorish architecture - Spain

 Ornate footpath


Decorative design on the footpath made out of black and white pebbles.

It was inhabited and grew because it was easy to defend and although it is dry in the summer, there is always a reliable supply of water coming from the mountain that is fuelled by melting snow.  The rich soil in the Vega plain therefore has provided an ample food source for many centuries.

Shop front in Granada - Spain

The region has experienced Roman and Visigoth influences.  The Arabs, invading the peninsula in the 8th century, gave it its current name of Granada.  At some point, the various Christian groups in the area settled their differences, joined together and steadily drove the Arabs out of Spain.  Granada was the last stronghold.

Church entrance - Granada, Spain

The Moslems and the Jews were forced to leave the country or convert to Christianity.  At the same time, Christopher Columbus came to Granada to ask Isabel and Ferdinand for a grant to build ships so that he could conquer the Americas.  They gave him the money and the rest is History.

One of the most brilliant jewels of universal architecture is the Alhambra; a series of palaces and gardens built under the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th Century.  This mighty compound of buildings with its fountains and gardens overlooks the city below.  The construction works of the Alhambra were undertaken in the 13th and 14th centuries, with most of the Alhambra having been built between 1333 and 1354.  The Alhambra was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.  It is certainly one of the most visited monuments in Spain.

One of the many gardens in the Alhambra

Amazing gardens and fountains...


A fountain at the Alhambra

 A view from the Alhambra


Partial view of Granada - Spain from the Alhambra



Wall decoration at the Alhambra

In Granada, the Sacromonte hill is one place where you can enjoy Flamenco.  The hill overlooks the city from the North and is famous for its cave dwellings.  It was once the home of Granada's large gypsy community.  The gypsies arrived about 600 years ago and one of the places where they congregated was in the caves of the Sacromonte.  The mixture of Arabic influence combined with the particular lifestyle and temperament of the gypsies created Flamenco.

Traditional Spanish Flamenco Outfit

Ladies in Traditional Spanish Outfits

Probably the most famous “Granadino” (Granada inhabitant) is the well-known playwright and author Garcia Lorca.  He is reputed to be one of the best writers of the twentieth century.  What makes him even more memorable is the fact that during the bloody Spanish civil war 1936-39, he was taken to a village near Granada and shot by a firing squad.

However short and wet my visit to Granada was, I still enjoyed it immensely.

Boulangerie - Patisserie Gervasoni - Barjols - Provence

With a population of around 2200, Barjols is a small town, located about 20 km northeast of Saint Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume.  Barjols is a commune in the Var department in the Provence – Alpes – Cote d’Azur region in south-eastern France near the Verdon gorges.  This peaceful village, set on a limestone cliff, is an inviting stop for visitors. 

Barjols
Image - Courtesy Google Images

A refreshing place with 42 man-made fountains, Barjols' architecture and life have been determined for centuries by the omnipresence of water.  Leather that was the mainstay of the village until just a few decades ago when production moved to emerging economies and economic decline set in.  Because of this more recent industrial past Barjols didn't develop into a big tourist destination and so has kept many features and characters of French village life. 

One of the many fountains in Barjols

The market takes place on Sunday mornings on La Place de la Rouguière, and there are stalls selling local produce, flowers, clothing and general souvenirs.  As Barjols is the hub for surrounding villages it also offers several bakeries, butchers, small and large stores, hairdressers etc. not to mention a good selection of cafés and restaurants.

The Barjols Market

My favourite bakery is the Boulangerie – Patisserie Gervasoni.  Monsieur Gervasoni & his friendly staff will make a visit to his Barjols Boulangerie an unforgettable experience.

 

The Boulangerie - Patisserie Gervasoni - Barjols - Provence

Monsieur Gervasoni Preparing the Next Batch of Baguettes for the Oven

I leave it to the images of delicious cakes, mouth-watering pastries and a wide selection of crusty breads and baguettes speak for themselves. Yumm !!!

Quiches Lorraine - Pizza Slices

 

Apple and Fruit Tarts and other local Specialties

 

 

Individual Pastries - the Traditional Way to end a Sunday Meal

 

Fresh Bread Straight from the Oven

Only One Problem; Which one to Choose !!!

Bon appetit, I will see you at my next post...