談山神社

談山神社

8.26.2013

An air of Muslim and wind of La Mancha

Catedral de Cordoba(Mezquita)

In this trip to Spain,I was impressed with Basilica of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and  Alhambra palace in Granada  and one more building is Catedral de la Cordoba. We can see about 850  columns that support double arch with combination of red and white inside. Here was a space of prayer in Islamic era.
This catedral has both a chapel of Christian and a mosque of Muslim. This style is rare.






Mihrab and Maksula

the dome of Maksula

Cordoba was founded before  Roma era  and flourished as a capital of  the Second Umayyads in  the mid 8th century.
This catedral was started building at the place where the chapel of christian used to be,not destroyed by the order of the founder of the Second Umayyads, and  extensions and reconstructions were repeated by the successive califs. In the latter half of the tenth century,it became the biggest mosque in the world.(24000 square meters)
After Cordoba was reconquered by Christian in 1236 at reconquest , the Cathedral was started using as a chapel again. They didn't crush the arches or Mihrab( it's a hollow that showing the direction of mecca that Muslim prays) or Maksula(it's space that emphasize Mihrab)etc, inside the mosque. That is the reason  this catedral has a chapel and a mosque.


The chapel at the center of Mezquita




The old Jewish town is near Mezquita
 

The Catedral  de Cordoba






Don Quijote de la Mancha

As you know, this story was written by Cervantes  in the 17th century.
The main character, Don Quijote was a  nobleman in a lower class. But as he read too much chivalry stories, he took himself for a knight. So he started  traveling to conquer the wrong like other knights.




I saw the wild reddish brown earth expanded around the district of  la Mancha.



windmills at la Mancha that Don Quijote mistook for giants

Don Quijote pushed forward his delusion, riding on his horse, taking his follower Sancho Panza.        .
The negotiations between Don Quijote and Sancho Panza  is  interesting and his justice or dream are very impressed for me live in this world where it's easy to depend on the trend. But I couldn't grasp the real sense of this story.
I heard this story contains metaphors. For example, the windmill is likened Holland and Don Quijote is likened Spain. He fought against  the windmill and lost. And Holland became independent from Spain. There might be patriotism, not delusion.
If I knew the background in those days, I could read it more pleasantly.
Many performing arts "Man of La Mancha"have been produced from this novel. They sing in the performance. Click here.
               
                      "The impossible dream"
               To dream the impossible dream,
               To fight the unbeatable foe,
               To bear the unbearable sorrow,
               To run where the brave dare not go,
               To right the unrightable wrong,
                      .............
                      .............
                To reach the unreachable stars!



The hill near Alcazar in Segovia city.....Wild red poppy or many flowers
 must have been blooming in Don Quijote's days.


Alcazar in Segovia city....the model of the castle of "the Princess of White Snow"
 by Disney.. Don Quijote's beloved lady was not living a castle like this.











25 件のコメント:

Joy さんのコメント...

Im so looking forward to see these places in Barcelona. Me and my hubby will be there on thursday:)
Awesome places with interesting history:)

Giga さんのコメント...

Katedra w Cordobie jest niesamowita, widziałam ją też. Jest jedną z dwóch w Europie, którą zawsze będę podziwiać. Druga to katedra w Sienie we Włoszech. W Segowii też byłam i wiatraki również oglądałam. Dziękuję, że pięknym zdjęciami przypomniałaś mi cudowne miejsca. Pozdrawiam.
Cathedral of Cordoba is amazing, I saw it too. It is one of only two in Europe, which I will always admire. The second is the cathedral in Siena, Italy. I was also in Segovia and the fans watching. Thank you for reminding me beautiful pictures of wonderful places. Yours.

Tania さんのコメント...

This is so beautiful! Great post and really good pictures. So many details.
I love the picture with the red flowers:-)

Hope you have a good week ahead!

cosmos さんのコメント...

圧倒的な建築物、風景のスケールを見事に再現するサラさんの写真の技術力の高さに驚きます。イスラムとキリスト教文化の融合がほんとにユニークで素晴らしいですね。魅(見)いってしまいました。
ドン・キホーテも色々な見方があるのですね。「ラ・マンチャの男」は人間の永遠のテーマを歌い上げていますね。

Rurousha さんのコメント...

I enjoyed this post even more than usual, because I recently visited the Tokyo Camii Mosque in Yoyogi. Catedral de la Cordoba is MUCH bigger, of course, but the dome and arches are similar.

So interesting that Christians and Muslims can pray in one place. Very rare indeed, but perhaps an important lesson?

Rahul Bhatia さんのコメント...

The pictures and write up was very alluring! Beautiful indeed:)

stardust さんのコメント...

This is another wonderful post of yours, Sarah, which caused great excitement and interest by your narratives and the images full of charms of each place. I haven’t read the original Man of La Mancha but have seen only its musical. People ridiculed Don Quixote as insane but true insanity to him is to blindly follow or easily compromise with the current situation and not to fight for what it should be. “Quest”, a long and difficult search for something, is a timeless theme. The existing Cathedral/Mosque of Cordoba looks symbolizing Muslims and Christians can co-exist. Thank you for the fresh sensation. I’m slowly returning to the blogsphere.

Yoko

Forest Dream Weaver さんのコメント...

Thank you for this very interesting post Sarah.We can only dream about the people who once inhabited these places,especially Alcazar.
Beautiful photos!

Enjoy your day,
Ruby

Our photos さんのコメント...

Beautiful photos!
Have a nice day! RW & SK

CQUEK さんのコメント...

that is a great place to visit , many beautiful buildings.

Minoru Saito さんのコメント...

 こんばんは。とても素晴らしいです。イスラム教徒とキリスト教徒が使った教会兼モスクは見ごたえあります。私は日本のお城をずっと見て来ましたので、お城の写真はとても惹かれます。かなり守りの堅固な城ですね。
 ドンキホーテの物語に、込められた暗喩を初めて知りました。
 

orchid0324 さんのコメント...

Dearest Sarah;
Wow, Catedral de la Cordoba☆☆☆ I don't think I visited there; Europe sure have countless places where we Asians wishes to visit♡♡♡ Oh, interesting story about Don Quixote and thank you very much for sharing the wonderful pictures of your trip; I really enjoyed them♬♬♬

PS> So sorry for my belated comment, I was a bit under the weather for the summer heat and busy days(^^;)

Have a great rest of the week, xoxo Miyako*

Jo Potter さんのコメント...

Hi Sarah,
Thank you for taking us on your wonderful trip to Spain, it is a great place with so much history and beautiful architecture.
It's interesting to compare the Christian and Muslim styles. Both Cathedral and Mosque designs are vibrant and bold, with amazing ceilings.
All your photos are lovely!
Best wishes,
Jo.

Arti さんのコメント...

Dear Sarah,

Catedral de Cordoba(Mezquita) sounds unique with a combination of mosque and a cathedral. Such a combination is indeed rare. The interiors are grand and beautiful. I can hear the windmills and those fields narrate a story of a bygone era. I enjoy my tours of Spain along with you, many thanks for taking us there through your wonderful narratives and gorgeous pictures.

Best Wishes,

Arti

Self Sagacity さんのコメント...

I love your poem, it is very inspirational. The terraces with blooming flowers are awesome to see.

Tomoko さんのコメント...

お久しぶりです!
長い歴史を経て、この様な独特なイスラムとキリスト教文化がつくられたのですね。20年以上前にマドリード、バルセロナ、トレドに行きました。あの頃は若かったのですね。異文化にふれた感動だけで興奮してしまい、あまり覚えていません。改めてサラさんのポストでゆっくり旅をした気分です!

サラさん、写真上達されましたね。切りとった風景の中に、サラさんが撮りたいものが込められています。古いユダヤの町好きです。
カメラ少し右にふって流石!
Tomoko

ruma さんのコメント...


Hello, sarah.

  It is the world of quiet Don Quixote.
  The grand Spanish history spreads in front.

  It is my joy to share your wonderful work.
  And sweet message charms my heart.

  I pray for your happiness and world peace.
  Thank you World-wide LOVE, and your Support.

Have a good weekend. ruma ❃

ruma さんのコメント...


Hello, sarah.

  It is the world of quiet Don Quixote.
  The grand Spanish history spreads in front.

  It is my joy to share your wonderful work.
  And sweet message charms my heart.

  I pray for your happiness and world peace.
  Thank you World-wide LOVE, and your Support.

Have a good weekend. ruma ❃

今、この一瞬を さんのコメント...

sarahさん、こんばんわ。

スペイン。かっこいい場所ですね。
今でも、歴史と生活が融合しつつ保存されているところがすばらしい。

イスラム・キリスト両宗教が混在して一層の重厚さを感じます。



Kiran Palwasha さんのコメント...

Hello Sarah, its first time iam visiting your blog here through Tania. very impressive pictures and the information. I liked your blog so am going to be your new follower.
Have a great week

Magia da Inês さんのコメント...

♪♫° ·.

Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos do Brasil.
♪♫° ·.
º° ✿✿ ·.

My Unfinished Life さんのコメント...

I like the concept that the church and mosque are inside same building......

nice architecture...


http://www.myunfinishedlife.com

Magia da Inês さんのコメント...

Boa Noite!
Ótima quarta-feira!
Beijinhos.
º° ✿✿ ♫° ·.

ruma さんのコメント...


Hello, sarah.

 Spanish people are very friendly in Japan.
 There may be something to sympathize with.

 The encounter with your work is my pleasure.
 Thank you for visit.

 The prayer for all peace.
 I wish You all the best.

Have a good weekend. ruma ❃

haricot さんのコメント...

どの写真もそれぞれ趣が違っていてすごい!!
カテドラルもお花の掛かった街並みもポピー畑も。見とれてしまいました。スペインの名所を満喫。このポスト見逃がしていましたが、構成が今までで一番好きです。