uncommonly feeble and random thoughts

The next stop on our tour was Granada, home to the Alhambra Palace. We stayed close by at the Alhambra Palace Hotel, high above Granada, but not quite to the altitude of the Palace itself. Our stunning hotel entryway:   Before we go to the Palace, a note that I lean  heavily  on Google Lens to reference what I shoot. I have enough on my plate framing and editing the photos, and in no way could do the deep research to describe what I shoot. My niece, however, could easily describe, explain, and expound upon any of my images.  So the first item of business was accessing the Alhambra Palace... let's try this little gate. It's actually the Puerta de la Justicia. It was completed in 1348 and served as a defensive gateway, and later a sort of courtroom from which justice was meted out:       The keystone at the top of the archway has a hand carved into it, the five fingers representing the five pillars of Islam. Here's a closeup: The Palace of Charles V, Hol...

The view of Granada from the Alhambra Palace is, well, amazing:       The Palacio del Partal sits inside the Palace wall, and includes the Torre de las Damas  (the Ladies' Tower)   A second view of the Palacio del Parto, with the reflecting pool. It is the oldest surviving palatial structure in the Alhambra, built in the early 14th century.   Why yes. of course there are pomegranates at the Palace...     The terraced gardens and water elements reflect medieval Moorish ideals of peace, order, and paradise.    Imagine strolling down this garden path...    Patio de la Acequia, Court of the Water Channel - the summer palace at Alhambra.     Ruins of the Palacio de los Abencerrajes, a noble family, showing rooms, courtyards, and thick defensive walls running along the perimeter of the Alhambra - some context for how private residences existed alongside the main ceremonial halls.    A wide view meant to share the ...

Next stop, Córdoba... the Mosque-Cathedral, and the Roman Bridge of Córdoba:  We just might have a shot or two from that edifice. As is becoming customary on this blog, a view of the pipe organ:    And as might be "not the first time", a capture of the choir stall: Allow me to quote '"the Google" from the 'ask' function on my phone for this picture (ah technology):   This striking choir stall is located in the heart of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a truly unique place where Moorish architecture seamlessly blends with Christian elements.  The choir stall itself is a masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque art. It was primarily created in the 17th and 18th centuries, replacing an earlier Gothic choir stall. The intricate wood carvings you see depict various religious scenes and figures, showcasing the incredible skill of artists like Pedro Duque Cornejo, who was a major contributor to its detailed design. Its grandeur is meant to reflect the importance ...

   On Oct. 10 we visited Toledo. We stopped at an overlook and shots like this were taken by all:   The Puerta de Bisagra greeted us as we drove nearer town... a Mudéjar-style gate to the city:        Once inside Toledo, the architectural blend of Moorish and Spanish styles gives character at every turn:    Let us now turn to the cathedral:   Gothic, Mudéjar, and Baroque elements  reflect centuries of history   Of course, the edifice is stunning, but so are the treasures within... behold, El Greco's The Disrobing of Christ:     Let's stay with the artist for a moment... El Greco's The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, also on display in Toledo Cathedral:     And to add some more of the architectural/functional elements of the Cathedral, the pipe organ, for example:     Sticking with the gold theme, the Cathedral also holds the Custodia de Arfe, a monstrance that highlights the annual Corpus Christi pro...