Tuesday, September 27, 2011

A MIDWINTER VISIT TO GRANADA -1

Selected perspectives of Granada in midwinter:
 

A roof line at The Alhambra Palace with a stunningly forceful sky as a backdrop.
P1000188 Alhambra rooftops

The fine detail of design work on a pillar. Wherever you looked there was beautiful pattern work. On walls, in particular, these finishes seem to have been the equivalent of our decorative wallpaper. It is possible to see how the patterned surfaces could be removed and replaced/refreshed with other designs. Undoubtedly, the artisans had a real pride in what they produced.
P1000174 Nasris Palace

How timeless this Moorish floor tile pattern in the Alhambra Palace is.
Moorish-Tiled-floor

The contrastsof Granada in Winter. The nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains, which are smoothly carpeted in deep snow and bathed in sunshine, provide a winter sports playground. In the town people live and work, visitors explore while enjoying the sun and the midday warmth.
P1000224 Snowy Sierra Nevada

In a courtyard that was a contemplative part of a religious house, there are artisans showing and selling their work.
Granada-Artisan's-Courtyard-Xmas-day-Wb

Inside the house there is a Bélen, one of many finely made nativity scenes that are well supported with visitors, and families with excited children. Perhaps because it is a Mediterranean depiction, the characterisations are more realistic to the Middle East than the religious artistic representations you see in galleries and churches in other parts of Western Europe.
Belen-

The pomegranate tree in the courtyard is pregnant with ripe and over-ripe fruit. some are dramatically splitting. The miniature fruit tree adds to the delight of this little corner of Granada.
P1000272 Granada Pomegranates split

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