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Roland Routier
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Roland Routier

An open-ended adventure by Roland Routier Read more
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  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Cathedral

    April 3, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    The Mosque was consecrated as a Christian Cathedral in the same year that Cordoba was re-conquered (1236). Alfonso X built the Villaviciosa Chapel with stunning multi lobed arches. The Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) was also built as a pantheon for Christian Kings.
    In the 14th century Enrique II rebuilt the royal chapel in Mudejar style. In 1523 with the support of King Carlos V the church built a huge nave inside the mosque. The cathedral was elaborated on over the years by many of the country´s leading architects and artists. Architect Hernán Ruiz continued working transforming the Cathedral into Gothic style.
    The main retable, (altar screen), in jasper and red marble is a neo-classical work of art by Álonso Matias The Baroque tabernacle is by Sebastian Vidal.    Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Cathedral bits

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    You can see how the arabic arch frames the cathedral treasure room.
    The stained glass can only be seen from inside the main nave of the cathedral.

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Stall for time

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The fine mahogany stalls in the choir were carved by Pedro Duque Cornejo in the 18th C and depict scenes from the Bible.
    The ceiling is pure baroque .
    The two mahogany pulpits by Verdiquier are interesting because they feature a near life size bull and a lion in veined marble and an eagle in black marble.Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    3 stooges

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    In Roman times, Cordoba gave birth to Lucius Annaeus Seneca (a famous drama queen,) and his nephew Lucan, (a poet.)
    Then in the XIIthC came two celebrated scholars, Abdul and Moses.
    Moses ben Maimon, called Rambam by his mates (sic) and better known to us as Maimonides (1135–1204), who condensed Talmudic law into a mere 14 volumes: the "Mishneh Torah".
    And Abdul Wahid Muhammad Ibn 'Ahmed Ibn Rushd, shortened to Averroes to fit on the spine of his famous book "What I think of Aristotle."
    Both got the nod from the Roman Church because they did not write in a way the general populace could understand as incompatible with Christianity and therefore seditious.
    Even though they both had to leave the country to work and died at opposite sides of North Africa, Egypt and Morocco. Better than poor Luke though.    Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Casa Arabe

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The city restored this Arab house that had been four or five dwellings before a rich merchant bought it in the XVth C .
    As usual, it is the two courtyards which appeal the most. Around them the rooms are only 2.7m wide and have been converted into offices and an art gallery.
    Notice the modern interpretation of horse stalls as the feeding room for tourists.    Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    True Blue

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Just to prove I did visit Cordova here are the mandatory blue pot photos.

    A young backpacker has been retained to water them: she seems to be bored rigid.

    CALLEJON DE LAS FLORES
    This small but well-known street is the most photographed street in Cordoba.Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Road trip

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    A couple of alleys and courtyards for you. There are quite a few of them which is very nice to walk around but pretty monotonous to photograph!

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Facade

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The houses are mostly double storied which preserves the human scale.
    Wish our flats were as attractive as the block in the last photo!

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Done up

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Casa Andalusi is a house in the Juseria restored to suggest a typical abode during the Caliphate.
    - At the entrance sits a font for the ritual cleansing of hands before entering a home
    - a pleasant little courtyard
    - and off it a reading salon
    - every house must have its lacework even if, as here, there is no real need
    - the scribe has to be careful of firey prose which could get him into trouble with the rulers, hence a fire-extinguisher close to hand
    - examples of arabic script and the beautiful calligraphy to which it lends itself
    One of Cordoba's big sources of income came from the production of rag paper and the process is demonstrated in a model. I will divulge the secret process: shred, pound, soak, pound, dry, cut. No need for imagery.    Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Front Door

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Travellers would cross the river Guadalquivir by the Roman bridge and enter the city by this gate, Puerta del Puente, a relic of Roman Imperialism.

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Judería

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The judería (old Jewish quarter - not a ghetto,) is a reticule of narrow streets and small squares, whitewashed buildings and wrought-iron gates allowing glimpses of plant-filled patios. Many streets are now crammed with gaudy souvenir shops , but others remain quiet and unblemished, except for their hidden corners which have provided relief to visitors wandering around after a liquid lunch at the authentic tourist restaurants and bodegas.
    Spain had one of Europe’s biggest Jewish com­munities, recorded from as early as the 2nd century AD. Persecuted by the Visigoths, they allied themselves with the Muslims following the Arab conquests until the Catholic monarchs did them in.
    The small, probably private or family synagogue, constructed in 1315, is undergoing restoration so I couldn't visit. It hasn't been used as a place of worship since the expulsion of Jews in 1492 so I guess there is a lot of restoration to do.
    The Puerta de Almodavar can be seen here from inside the city walls, but Seneca is hidden.    Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Magical

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The elderly Arab lady who ran the restored Casa Mudehar, emboldened by my ability to understand her French, (for she was originally from Morocco I hazard,) persuaded me to buy a ticket for her new venture, the "Al Iksir" or museum of Alchemy, the arts of material transmutation concealing the secrets of spiritual transformation.
    What I found was a modern transformation of an ancient house backing onto the city walls of the Juderia and I was much taken by the designs.
    - the entrance with a glass covered pool fed by water falling through boxes
    - the hanging garden
    - the tree of life
    - earth, fire and water sculpture
    - view of the city from the rooftop terrace
    and finally and not least, the source of all the magic, Empsted Dispensing Chymists, Grand Parade, St. Leonards-on-Sea.    Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Wheel of fortune

    April 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    This old waterwheel, Noria de la Albolafia originating in the XIIth C, contrasts with the other three waterwheels powering mills downstream of the Roman bridge: for it was designed to lift water to irrigate the gardens of the Alcázar.
    Unfortunately Her Royal Highness Queen Isabel - not much of a gardener herself - didn't like the squeaky noise it made, according to local gossip, and ordered it to be stopped. Which it has been for the last few hundred years.
    There is a placard expressing the fervent intention to renovate it and the others as soon as money is forthcoming. Unfortunately, a great deal of that money will need to be spent cleaning the mud and detritus from the river and tourists that currently conceals the base of the structure.    Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    Palacio de Viana

    April 5, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Gate Courtyard
    This is the entrance courtyard to the house of Torres Cabrera before being amalgamated into the new Palacio de Viana in the 19thC. The palace used to be called the "Rejas de Don Gome" after its original owner, but since it has been home to 18 noble families between the XVth and XXth C it now, as a museum and National Monument, is frequently called the Palace of Courtyards, of which there are 12 + nursery. Half the 65000 square metres of area are garden / courtyard.
    The cognoscenti will recognise an umbrella palm, Lady Banks' Rose and Yew. (I made a point of recording all the names of flowers even though I couldn't tell you which was which.)    Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    The Prestige

    April 5, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    The XVI C Reception courtyard has the corner cut-off so that carriages may enter, (but barricaded for maintenance!)
    The story goes that a fella named Ursus left his trousers here after a rendezvous with a courtesan so the gardeners chose as the main plants: Bear's Britches, Night Blooming Jasmine, and Date Palm.Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    C of Cats

    April 5, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    The oldest documented courtyard in Cordoba, it has been rented out from mediaevil times and belonged to the Puentezuela de Tres Canos houses. So why "cats" I cannot reveal.
    Ivy leaf geranium and Marguerite.Read more

  • Roland RoutierRoland RoutierTraveler

    C of Bars

    April 5, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Look at me!
    This garden of Bergamot Orange, Centauria and Cineraria was constructed in the XVII C so the peasants gazing awestruck through the "Mannerist" bars set in the exterior walls would be suitably impressed and remember their station in life.Read more

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