Seeing & Doing” Iberia Snapshots, Part 2

La Mancha, Spain. On the way to Toledo, we passed through La Mancha, an area of wide open plains and small mountains ranges with one of the region’s symbols: the windmills of La Mancha. This area is the setting for “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha” by Miguel de Cervantes. Published in two volumes, in 1605 and 1615, Don Quixote is considered one of the most influential works of Western literature. Still a very entertaining book, it appears high on lists of the greatest works of fiction ever published.

Spain. Next to road between Cardoba and Ronda we saw a small windmill farm, similar to those near Palm Springs. Spain is the world’s second biggest producer of wind power. In 2014, wind power accounted for total electricity consumption of 21.1 percent. The climate in southern Spain is influenced by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Madrid, Spain. This view of the playing area at Satiago Bernabeau Stadium is from a VIP lounge where we enjoyed an afternoon coffee break. The stadium was inaugurated in December 1947 and has a current capacity of 81,044 spectators. Bernabeau is one of the world’s most famous and prestigious football venues. It has hosted the European Cup final on four occasions: in 1957, 1969, 1980, the UEFA Champions League Final in 2010.

Madrid, Spain. Santiago Bernabeau Stadium is the home of Real Madrid. The club is the most valuable sports team in the world, with an estimated value in 2013-2014 of $3.4 billion. To say that the residents of Madrid are proud of the stadium and the team is the understatement of understatements. We felt as though we were in a sacred place as we mingled with Madrid residents at the stadium.

Segovia, Spain. This spectacular aqueduct was built by Roman settlers more than 2,000 years ago. The two-tiered structure was originally more than 10 miles long. It was built entirely without mortar. It is the largest and most well-preserved aqueduct of its type in Europe. The town of Segovia, located in central Spain, north of Madrid, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Merida, Spain. This 6,000-seat Roman theater was constructed in the years 16 to 15 BC. The theater has undergone several renovations, notably at the end of the 1st century or early 2nd century AD and another in the time of Constantine I (between 330 and 340 AD). Following the theatre’s abandonment,it was slowly covered with earth, with only the upper tiers of seats remaining visible. In local folklore, the site was referred to as “The Seven Chairs”, where, according to tradition, several Moorish kings sat to decide the fate of the city.

Merida, Spain. This Roman amphitheater was inaugurated in the year 8 BC. The stadium, with seating for approximately 15.000 people, adjoins the theater. In the arena, gladiators once battled to the death against animals imported from Asia and Africa. The animals were confined in the large, cross-shaped pit in the center of the photograph and trap doors were opened to release them into the area of combat.

Cardoba, Spain. Located in the historic center of Córdoba, Andalusia, southern Spain, this Roman bridge was built in the early 1st century BC across the Guadalquivir river. During its history, the bridge was restored and renovated several times (in particular in the 10th century)., After the Islamic reconstruction it has 16 arcades, one less than originally. Only the 14th and 15th arches are original. It was extensively restored in 2006. After 2006, the bridge was closed to automobile traffic because of its negative impact on the structure.

Carmona, Spain. This is a photograph of Paradore de Carmona in the Andalusian town of Carmona. We stayed in this 14th-century Arab fortress (Alkazar) that stands high above the town.

Carmona, Spain. The interior of the Paradore de Carmona has been renovated to provide very comfortable, modern accommodations. This photographs shows a dining area.

Ubeda, Spain. Ubeda is bordered on all sides by olive groves from which are produced some of the best olive oil in the world.

Ubeda Spain. Our 16-person tour group split into three groups, and each group enjoyed Andalusian hospitality and dinner in the homes of members of a local family engaged in the olive-oil industry. We ate with the  grandparents in their pleasant summer cottage with a swimming pool in the backyard; a popular gathering spot for the grandkids. That’s “Gramma” wearing red shoes at the head of the table and “Grandpa” at the opposite end of the table. A very enjoyable time was had by all!

Cordoba, Spain. The eighth-century Mezquita Mosque, also known as The Great Mosque of Cordoba, is one of the world’s greatest Islamic buildings. But, what makes this mosque truly unusual is Capilla Mayor, a Gothic Christian church built in the center of the mosque in the 16th century by King Charles V.

Cordoba, Spain. Usually, the symbols and buildings of a conquered people are destroyed and replaced by those of the conquerers. Luckily, Mezquita Mosque was different. So beautiful and formadable that Christian leaders decided to use the beauty that already existed in creating their new church. The result is an impressive engineering and architectural achievement.

Cordoba, Spain. The ecclesiastical name of Capilla Mayor is The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. It is located in the center of the original Mezqita Mosque building.

Cordoba, Spain. The organ in the Christian cathedral portion of Mezquita Mosque. We were told that today that both Christians and Muslims use the building as a place of worship.

Seville, Spain. This plaque, written in Spanish, says “To Washington Irving, a reminder of his love of Spain.” In the United States, he is best known as the author of “Rip Van Winkle” (1819) and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (1820). However, he loved Spain, lived there for several years and wrote “Tales of Alhambra” and several other very popular books about Spain. He served as U.S. ambassador to Spain (1842-1846).