Spain

 

SPANISH GREETINGS                           Early impressions of Spain while driving through its beautiful countryside, first attractions and beginning to ‘connect the dots’ are included in this article.  It’s a brief intro to the beauty of Spain, hinting at the endurance of the people, their appreciation of beauty and fun, along with a few pieces of history that contributed to Spain’s unique culture.

 

 

FLAMENCO                                              The Spanish Flamenco has its origin traced to the people of Andalusia in southern Spain, where the classical version is dated to 11^th century Córdoba. Watching the live performances in its country of origin was a delight that grew a new appreciation for this dance form and its rich expression.

 

 

 

 

CÓRDOBA’S ROOTS                                 With a population of around 330,000 it might be easy to forget Córdoba’s significant history, but its roots include years as an important capital as the hub of southern Spain. The impressive remains of various conquering cultures are still visible in the city of Córdoba, expanding the visitor’s understanding of Spanish culture today. That’s why the World Heritage Centre writes that “Cordoba’s period of greatest glory began in the 8th century after the Moorish conquest, when some 300 mosques and innumerable palaces and public buildings were built to rival the splendours of Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad”. They declared it a UNESCO heritage site in 1984. This article attempts to introduce some of Córdoba’s fascination.