Andalusia delivers a mesmerizing taste of Spanish history and culture
No region captures the passion and power of Spain quite like Andalusia.
The southernmost part of the Iberian Peninsula, Andalusia features endless coastal beaches, rugged mountains, vibrant cities, charming hill towns and centuries of dramatic history. It delivers an intoxicating blend of European and Muslim cultures that have coexisted for more than 700 years.
Andalusia was a key outpost of the Roman Empire for seven centuries, starting around 206 BCE, with two of its greatest emperors — Trajan and Hadrian — coming from the region. Many Roman archeological sites remain, such as the settlements of Italica and Carmona in Seville.
Indeed, Seville, the capital of the region, is a great place to start a visit. With a population of just under 700,000, the city throbs with the energy of flamenco, the traditional Andalucian song and dance that displays the passion of the people.
At one point Seville was the gateway to the world, with its port awarded the royal monopoly for trade with the Spanish colonies in the Americas. The tomb of the man who discovered America, Christopher Columbus, is on display in the spectacular Seville Cathedral, the world’s largest Gothic church. It was built on the site of a former mosque constructed by the Muslim Moors. For a clearer picture of Moorish culture, visit the Alcazar, the millennium-old palace overlooking a cool and peaceful garden.
No stay in Seville is complete without a night of soul-stirring flamenco. Afterwards, stroll the narrow, winding streets of the Barrio Santa Cruz — the former Jewish quarter — before settling at a restaurant for some tapas or salmorejo, a thicker gazpacho popular throughout the region.
A short drive north of Seville is Cordoba, the heart of the Moorish empire from 756 to 1236 and, at the time, one of Europe’s largest and most advanced cities. Signs of this greatness — the city’s core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — can be seen at the well-preserved Mezquita, one of the world’s largest mosques when it was constructed in the 900s.
Andalusia’s other astounding Moorish palace is located in Granada, at the foot of the rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Alhambra was the last bastion of strength for the Moors, until they were forced out of Spain in 1492. Featuring mesmerizing architecture and rich Arabic script decorations, the palace overlooks Granada and the mountains beyond. The Generalife Gardens, part of the same complex, offer a great place to relax or reflect among the manicured vegetation and soothing water features.
Both areas are recognized by UNESCO, as is the Albayzin, the historic Granada neighbourhood where winding, narrow streets offer glimpses into elaborate courtyards and lead to a dramatic view of the Alhambra.
From the mountainside splendour of Granada, an energetic university town, head down to the beaches on both the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.
Malaga, the entryway to coastal towns such as Nerja and Marbella, offers its own artistic charms. The birthplace of Pablo Picasso, Malaga features more than 30 museums, including the Picasso Museum and the Pompidou Centre Malaga. Not far inland are the charming towns of Arcos de la Frontera and Ronda, where bright white buildings huddle above dramatic cliffs.
But it’s not just the historic sites that are preserved in Andalusia. Twenty per cent of its wild lands are protected as well, including Sierra Nevada National Park and Doñana National Park, a huge coastal array of sand dunes and marshes that forms one of Europe’s most important bird habitats.
There’s no better way to toast a trip to Andalusia than with one of its most famous exports, sherry wine. Produced in Jerez de la Frontera, near coastal Cadiz, sherry is one of the world’s most intriguing wines. It comes in many forms — from a crisp, dry Fino, to a complex Oloroso or lusciously sweet Pedro Ximenez — making it easy to find the perfect match for any regional cuisine.
Andalusia is truly a feast for the senses.
For more information, visit www.spain.info.