As a transitional area between European and North African cultures, Andalusia was part of the Moorish Empire for a long time after the 8th century, during which Arab civilization contributed to its prosperity. It is against this historical backdrop that modern Andalusia integrates Catholic, Christian, and Islamic religious cultures, forming its unique architectural styles and culinary habits. To this day, these elements blend together in a harmonious and eclectic Andalusian way.
This region encapsulates the essence of Spain's beautiful landscapes, boasting the bright Mediterranean sunshine, azure skies, vibrant flowers, and a pleasant climate. It is also home to endless olive groves, fertile red lands producing high-quality wines, and the most famous sunny coast in Europe.
Seville
One cannot claim to have visited Spain without visiting Andalusia, and missing Seville means one cannot truly say they have been to this region. As the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia, Seville was not only the setting for "Don Juan" and "Carmen" but is also the largest center for art, culture, and finance in southwestern Spain.
The Seville Cathedral is at the heart of the old town, making it convenient to access anywhere without needing public transport. Walking through the cobblestone alleys, horse-drawn carriages occasionally pass by, and the sound of hooves on the stone road echoes, while the towering, weathered old buildings on either side make one feel as if they have returned to a medieval city.
The Seville Cathedral is one of the five largest cathedrals in the world. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, and Christopher Columbus's tomb is located here. The cathedral was built on the site of a former mosque.
Next to the cathedral is the Giralda Tower, which stands 98 meters tall. Originally a minaret of the mosque, it was converted into a bell tower in the 16th century, allowing visitors to see both the Arab-style lattice decorations and horseshoe-shaped windows, as well as Renaissance-style bell tower features. Instead of stairs, the tower has a spiral ramp for horses to reach the top, where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Seville from a 70-meter-high observation deck.
Inside the cathedral, an attractive sight is the tomb of the navigator Christopher Columbus, supported by four statues symbolizing the regions of Castile, León, Aragon, and Navarre in Spain. Columbus's remains were brought back from Cuba in 1898 and buried here.
The Plaza de España in Seville is known as the most beautiful square in Spain and is a landmark of the city. Built next to Maria Luisa Park for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, the square is shaped in a 270-degree arc, blending ancient Roman, Arab, and Spanish styles. The main building of the square features red brick walls adorned with blue glazed tiles. The long colonnade of the main building is decorated with 58 colorful tile mosaics depicting the diverse customs of Andalusia. In the central circular plaza, there is a crescent-shaped canal spanned by four bridges, all covered in blue glazed tiles. The railings surrounding the canal are also tiled in colorful mosaics, creating a unique aesthetic. The entire square, from the walls to the ground, from the eaves to the railings, showcases the Andalusian love for ceramics through exquisite tile work.
A short walk from the Plaza de España leads to the University of Seville, which was once a tobacco factory. The French writer Prosper Mérimée set his story "Carmen" here, portraying the love and struggles of a tobacco factory worker and a gypsy woman—Carmen.
The Alcázar Palace was built when the Moors occupied the Iberian Peninsula and is quite magnificent. Walking through the various palaces of the royal palace, one can strongly feel the grandeur of the palace. The walls are adorned with exquisite wood and stone carvings, while some walls feature traditional Arab tile mosaics. The fountains and blooming flowers in the palace gardens evoke the splendor of the palace's heyday.
The Santa Cruz district was once a Jewish quarter, with its winding streets, white houses adorned with flowers, traditional taverns, unique restaurants, craft shops, tourist information staff dressed in opera costumes, and street performers dressed as barbers... all invite one to stop and enjoy, making it a delightful experience even when lost in the alleys.
Córdoba, located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, is along the Andalusian highway leading to the Atlantic Ocean. The ancient city is near the Morena Mountains, surrounded by fertile plains. The ancient city was established in 206 BC. Before being conquered by the Romans, Córdoba belonged to the Carthaginian Empire of Spain. At the beginning of the first millennium, Córdoba became the capital of the Spanish territory and the Roman province of Andalusia.
Córdoba, located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, is along the Andalusian highway leading to the Atlantic Ocean. The ancient city is near the Morena Mountains, surrounded by fertile plains. The ancient city was established in 206 BC. Before being conquered by the Romans, Córdoba belonged to the Carthaginian Empire of Spain. At the beginning of the first millennium, Córdoba became the capital of the Spanish territory and the Roman province of Andalusia.
During the May Courtyard Festival, the entire city transforms into a sea of flowers. In front of doors, outside windows, on walls, and in alleys, blooming flowers abound. Wandering into a small alley, the white walls are adorned with colorful geraniums, and visitors meander through the narrow streets, enjoying the leisurely atmosphere. At this moment, one is not only lost in direction but also in a state of bliss.
In the evening, walking across the Roman bridge spanning the Guadalquivir River, the golden sunlight envelops the entire city in a peaceful atmosphere.
Granada
Arriving in Granada in the morning, the city is just waking up. After finding the pre-booked hotel, I hurriedly finished breakfast and headed straight to the Alhambra Palace. The Alhambra consists of multiple palaces, gardens, and fortresses, with the royal palace being the main attraction, requiring entry at a specified time. Once inside, there is no time limit for visiting, but tickets are divided into morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. After waiting in line for a long time to buy a ticket, I realized I could only enter in the afternoon.
The Summer Palace is the country villa of the kings of Granada, built in 1319, covering an area much larger than the Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The villa itself is small, just a small building, while the garden outside is filled with flowers and trees. In the sunlight, clusters of dazzling flowers contrast beautifully with the meticulously maintained hedges, and the pools and fountains among the flowers create a soothing sound of flowing water.
Climbing the watchtower, the entire Granada comes into view. In the distance, the Sierra Nevada mountains stand majestically, with snow that never melts. Nearby, the white houses of the Albayzín district rise and fall, particularly tranquil under the blue sky and white clouds.
The most exquisite part is the Courtyard of the Lions. In this palace of Muhammad V, the courtyard is surrounded by the Hall of the Abencerrajes and the Hall of the Kings. An Arab-style arched corridor connects the surrounding palaces. The arches, ceilings, and walls are adorned with exquisite stone or wood carvings, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship and superb artistry. In the center of the courtyard is an ancient fountain supported by twelve powerful white marble lions. In Arab art, this method of using lion statues to support a fountain is quite remarkable, symbolizing royal power and victory, and the form of the lion statues here evokes the works of ancient Persian sculptors.
The black rubble on the palace walls and the golden wood carvings in the corridors shine brightly in the sunlight, revealing the royal grandeur and the exquisite taste of the owner. Every visitor waiting to enter wants to linger a little longer, and by the time we entered, it was almost dark, with warm lights spilling from the palace, casting a particularly mysterious and enchanting glow on the courtyard.
Every detail of the Alhambra Palace is meticulously crafted, leaving no room for criticism. It is no wonder that when the last Moorish king was expelled from the Alhambra, he looked back at the palace he could never return to, shedding tears of sadness.
In the Albayzín district, one can quickly feel the strong atmosphere of Islamic culture. This is the most charming area of Granada, with dense white houses built along the hillside, featuring Islamic-style residences, Arab tea houses, mosques, and public baths... it feels like a collection of building blocks filling the entire hill, connected by winding narrow alleys, creating an illusion of being lost in the Arab world.
Continuing through the Albayzín district leads to the Sacromonte hill, a gathering place for gypsies. In the past, these gypsies carved caves to escape the heat, and today, these well-preserved caves have been transformed by clever gypsies into venues for flamenco performances, attracting many visitors at night to enjoy the unique gypsy flamenco dance. The warm lights, passionate dances, and the sorrowful and nostalgic songs seem to tell the history of this ethnic group.
