This bakery sits on a charming street close to all the major sights in Seville. One can only imagine the inviting aromas of a traditional, large midday lunch, or la comida.
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Lemons flourish in the warmth of Seville in the historical and beautiful gardens of the Real Alcazar, palace to Phillip of Castile and movie set to fans of Lawrence of Arabia.
Elegant buildings cordon sections of the gardens in the paradisal Real Alcazar in Seville. Palms, cypress and fruit trees thrive despite being in the middle of a busy, crowded city.
Wall tiles were inlaid at the height of persons in the Palace of Peter I. The Real Alcazar was not built in a day, a decade, or even a lifetime. Rather, new additions cropped up from its foundations as a small Moorish stronghold to the present day, as it is still the official royal residence.
Reconstruction, bridge over Guadalquivir river, Seville
Originally built by the Romans, this exceptional bridge spans Spain's only navigable river. Major repairs in 2006 were necessary due to the age of the structure.
Grillwork at garden entrance, Real Alcazar
Grillwork, stonework and tilework combine to form this masterpiece of a doorway in the Moorish Real Alcazar in southern Spain.
Column capitals and arches, Real Alcazar
Shell motifs used in the Real Alcazar are similar to those used by pilgrims on the Santiago de Compostela throughout Northern Spain. Perhaps this is due to the wide reaches of Castile.
Archway of the Ambassador's Hall, Real Alcazar
The archway is the centerpiece of the palaces that form the Archway of the Ambassador's Hall. The dome inside is made of gilded wood. While the arches are typical of horseshoe arch design, they are atypical in their history and ornate beauty!
Moorish origins are apparent in the Real Alcazar: just look at the stunning inscriptions, tilework, and alternating motifs of blue, white, and green for proof!
The iconic shell intaglio at the lower end of the arch shows off the building's Spanish location, while the geometric spiraling relief and border with Arabic calligraphic relief display Muslim origins.
Carriages outside Mosque‚ Cathedral of Córdoba
While the morning sun shines on the cathedral's walls, tour guides wait in their carriages.
The king of Castile in 1252, Alfonso, had an illegitimate daughter named Berenguela. An Egyptian king sent for her hand in marriage, along with many lavish gifts. Including, of course, a live crocodile. To commemorate this event, a wooden crocodile was carved and covered with its skin, the remains of which can be found today in the Courtyard of the Oranges. Also notable is the Cathedral itself: it is the largest Gothic Cathedral and the third largest church in the world.
Eight-pointed stars and internal octagons paired with inset stone and tile create a geometric design, which is typical of Moorish design. If you want to be stunned in a Moorish building, simply look up!
No traffic circulates around the cathedral, a major change from centuries past when it was the heart of urban life.
The Patio de las Doncellas, or Courtyard of the Maidens, in name recalls the tale that the Spanish Moors demanded 100 virgins every year as tribute from Iberian Christian kingdoms. In reality, the lower level of the courtyard was built for King Peter I, a Catholic and womanizer.
Elaborately-scalloped arches from the period of Muslim rule mark spaces in the city's mosque, since converted into a cathedral
Walled garden gate, Real Alcazar, Seville
The palace gardens of the Real Alcazar are a sight to behold. Every Moorish palace contained a walled garden complex, because the garden would serve as a source of food, fresh water, and beauty for palace residents. Lofty palms, stately cypress, and fruit-bearing trees decorate this idyllic space in the bustling capital of Andalusia.
Peter of Castile's Palace in the Real Alcázar of Seville
In the Real Alcazar, stone latticework and ornately carved arches form a decidedly sophisticated underbelly to the wooden beams above.
Façade of Peter of Castile's Palace in the Real Alcázar of Seville
The Moorish origins of the Alcazar are readily apparent in the regularity, distinct indigo and gold colors, and interlocking designs. This style of architecture is called mujedar, which is only found in the Iberian peninsula.
This cypress tree stands out for its floral vine. The Real Alcazar is a palace with sprawling gardens and intricate architecture.
Architectural details, Mezquita Cathedral ceiling
Semi-circular arches over the windows, dating from the Moors, contrast with the Christian rectilinear additions. Beautiful tilework and gilded surfaces reflect light, bringing the heavens to the congregation below.
Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) became one of the most noted travelers and cultural explorers. This poster marks the growth and decline of 14th century emperor, when he flourished as a diplomat, historian and autobiographer
These elaborate, colorful tiles provide visitors glimpses into Spanish life as 20th-century artists saw it. This complex includes a half-circle of "Provincial Alcoves," which are tiled notches representing all the provinces of Spain. The Plaza de Espana was created in an Art Deco style and recycled some Moorish architectural tropes, as well.
High walls provide welcome shade from the mid-day heat of southern Spain. Yet, iconic white walls are still kept impeccable for tourists.
Flying buttresses, La Giralda, Seville Cathedral
The contrast between the Gothic flying buttresses and the semi-pyramidal roof exemplify how Spanish and Muslim architects built their hold places
The other name for the Seville Cathedral is the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See. Christian structural additions, with their flying buttresses, show many stylistic differences from the Moorish mosque buried underneath. The bell tower, La Giralda, in a converted Moorish minaret.
Seville is the capital of Andalusia. Christopher Columbus is buried in the Seville Cathedral, which is home to an impressive tower. With its panoramic view, the cathedral bell tower provides an excellent way to look over the city.
Exterior, Bell tower of Cordoba mosque-cathedral
The bell tower incorporates the minaret of the former mosque, which is built on top of the ruins of a Visigoth Catholic church. The Mezquita is a beautiful palimpsest, recording in its walls over 1000 years of Spanish history.
La Giralda, a bell tower built on top of an existing Moorish minaret, is 343 feet tall and, according to the historical record, was finished in 1198. Four gilded bronze orbs were placed in the top, but all went missing after an earthquake in 1365.
Plaster covers the old stonework on the lower level of this nave in the Mezquita, while golden light emanates from the nave and illuminates the half-arches and colorful stonework.
Since Islam as practiced in Spain precluded representation of persons, artists decorated spaces with intricate interlocking patterns
Once a mosque whose construction started in 784, the Cordoba cathedral interior is marked by scores of Roman columns drawn from all over Spain.
Bullfighting has deeper roots in Spain than in any other country. Bullfighting is legal in most of mainland Spain. In some regions, the practice is even protected by law. Skilled matadors become national heroes. Unlike in neighboring Portugal, bulls are killed.
All around the Mediterranean, olives form an essential part of the cuisine. They survive in dry, warm climates, even in poor soil.
The Mezquita de Cordoba is most notable for its giant arches and its forest of over 856 (of an original 1,293) columns of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite. These were taken from the Roman temple which had previously occupied the site and other destroyed Roman buildings.
Granada Cathedral, or the Cathedral of the Incarnation is the cathedral in the city of Granada, capital of the province of the same name in the Autonomous Region of Andalusia, Spain. The cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Granada.
Inside this crowded city, little space exists for public gardens. The sub-tropical plants are fitted to the area's dry climate.
When Granada fell in 1492, the Muslims of Spain were systematically converted, killed, and forced into hiding by Isabella and Ferdidand. In 1609, King Phillip banished all converts from Islam -known as Moriscoes - from Spain. Most ended up in North Africa. It makes one wonder about the struggles and identity conflict of the women pictured. Are they pilgrims? Residents of Granada? What is their story, and how do they connect to the past?
The city's location atop a hill and surrounding walls add to its military impregnability - at least in the Middle Ages!
These impressive walls helped defenders of Granada to hold off enemies of many backgrounds
Strong summer sun and heat mean diners crowd under large umbrellas while eating. Tourists and locals alike enjoy the outdoors of Southern Spain.
Many older parts of European cities have been converted into pedestrian-only zones, enhancing the quality of life. Huge cement blocks act as gates to a previous time, where one could stop and marvel at the beauty of a place without rushing by it. The streets of old Granada are still cobblestone, maintaining an old feel.
Window boxes brighten these apartment balconies. These parts of Spain are known as the "White Towns of Andalusia" or "Pueblos Blancos" in Spanish. The beauty of the whitewashed buildings at sundown, coupled with the gorgeous climate and tourist draws, make Spain a beautiful vacation spot.
In every mosque, there is a mihrab, which is a niche in the wall pointing to Mecca. The direction to Mecca is known as the qibla. Except, there's just one problem: the qibla in the Mezquita does not point to Mecca! Instead of pointing southeast, it points due south. The mihrab in the Mezquita, however, is incredibly ornate. Gilded Arabic calligraphy adorns the walls, acting as an architectural portal to Mecca.
Inside the Mezquita of Cordoba one may find a strong Roman influence with regard to columns and arches, with a distinct Moorish flair in the details. A crucifix and candelabras adorn the walls next to the grand hall, while spiraling crescents vault towards the heavens.
This rococo ceiling features trompe d'oeil artistry
Cut-out windows like this allowed easy air circulation while providing shade and privacy. All were crucial during Spanish's Islamic and pre-air conditioning period.
The palm trees indicate the city's warmth. In climatic terms, southern Spain resembles North Africa, or much of the arid American southwest.
Tourists flock to the Alhambra, made famous to Americans by Washington Irving, who first visited in 1828 and wrote Tales of the Alhambra, described as 'description, myth and narrations of real historical events?‚»'
As a major city of Al-Andalus (Moorish Spain), Granada was fortified against a variety of enemies, potentially starting during Roman rule.
The Alhambra is home to many courtyards, called "patio" in Spanish and "fanaa" in Arabic.
The city's strong fortifications contrast with the shade trees planted to reduce intense summer heat.
Waterwheel at the Mausoleum of Mouley Ismail, Morocco
A visit to Mouley Ismail's mausoleum is said to bring baraka - blessings - upon pilgrims. Ismail brought Meknes to a cultural height when he made it his capital city in the 1600s. The waterwheel displays the prevalence of slavery in the Arab world and reinforces that Moroccans have historically had slaves and domestic servants for hundreds of years.
A kasbah, or citadel of the Islamic world, was a place where the local leader could take refuge during an invasion. The kasbah in Rabat has been extremely well-preserved.
Man praying in parking lot by Rabat restaurant
Storage vessels have been made from clay for centuries wherever suitable clay can be found. This young Moroccan man is explaining initial steps in manufacturing large numbers of clay pots.
Arabic language books and woolen wraps can be purchased from this outdoor vendor.
Moroccan women sell food outside one of Morocco's royal palaces.
The intricate mosaics and detailed carving show close attention to detail.
Professors Welch and Ludwig at Fès palace
King Mohammed VI has ruled Morocco since 1999. The royal family lives in various palaces around the country.
This is the main gate between the Medina and Imperial City of Meknès .