John: more about Granada

More about Granada: De Falla's House, The Arab Uni, A delightful discovery, and when Granada turned into Madrid.

When most people think of Granada, they automatically think of The Alahambra, but there is much more to it than that. For me it was the place where Spanish composer Manuel De Falla lived for a while. Basically he was famous for using Spanish folk music in classical compositions. His most famous piece of music was The Three Cornered Hat. One of the earliest pieces of music that attracted me, and many others I would think, to Classical music. 

Stuart kindly accompanied me on the trip, which basically took us right up to The Alhambra again. De Falla was something of a "fuss pot" but he lived in a very simple life in a simple house.  He was born in Cadiz a seaport, so the house was painted blue to remind him of the sea. The view from his house was always an inspiration. In his time there were no houses or development of any kind. All he saw was the river and the mountains. Behind those he knew there was the sea and Africa. Perhaps some photos with captions best tell the story. What they don't say is that I was allowed to play De Falla's piano. So that means I have played both De Falla's piano as well as Abba's little white one!

The Great Man.

Me with almost obscure statue of De Falla

Photo of De Fella saying that the day was wonderful and Granada was too!

THE ARAB LIBRARY.

The pride of Moorish culture. I heard somewhere that in its time, it held more books than all the other libraries in Spain put together. As well as a lecture hall and living quarters, it had a magnificent prayer room. Again I could snow you with photos and bore you to tears with facts and figures. Instead I'll just show you a photo of the building's intricate carvings and a wooden ceiling. This ceiling was so precisely cut and crafted, that the pieces fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle. 

Intricate wood panelling

Mosiacs. Must be popular because we have copies of these over the flights leading up to our apartment.

More intricate carving.

THE DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE - THE THEATRE. 

Julie and I have found on our travels that if we just wander around and follow our noses we have the most delightful of surprises. On our walk yesterday we found a lovely open air theatre. I can't tell you anything about it because the sign board was only in Spanish. However, as soon as I walked inside it, I thought of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.

WHEN GRANADA TURNED INTO MADRID. 

Like any city in the world, Granada has areas with their own character. This was another "accidental discovery" even though this time there was a specific purpose to the trip, to get to a particular department store, the discovery was still a pleasant surprise. 

Because we are staying in "Arab" Granada, narrow winding streets, white houses, and tiny shops it came as a surprise to walk into a "different" Granada, 

This Granada had beautiful fountains and wide tree lined boulevards; two of the things for which Madrid, Spain's Capitol city is famous.

In my next entry Cordoba becomes a revelation, and I actually rave about a garden!