5 Must See Places in Cordoba, Spain

Cordoba was an important Roman city in the middle ages and it still has the reputation of being important in the map for tourists of Spain. Cordoba is an amazing compact place with major sightseeing sites within walking distance of each other. You can easily plan to spend just a day here and yet cover the major sites. We did exactly that. We were there on a day’s trip from Seville. The 5 must

Cathedral of Mezquita, Cordoba; History, Tour and Tickets

History of Cathedral in Mezquita 

The history of Mezquita (Mosque) started in 774 BC but the history of Cathedral in Mezquita started in 13th century. Cordoba was captured from Moors in 1236, Mezquita was then dedicated to Christians but they did not do any architectural alterations to it. History states that Christians simply dedicated Mezquita to Virgin Mary and worshiped inside it.

In

Mezquita, Cordoba, History and Tour

Mezquita History
Mezquita, it was once a mosque which now houses 16th century church. But prior to mosque there existed a church of San Vicente built during 6th century. There are some mosaic remains from that original church. Reading this much history of Mezquita had my mind confused and I was not sure what to expect as I stepped into the wonder of medieval world. The construction of Mezquita

Flowers and Pools of Generalife Gardens, Alhambra, Granada

Allah has promised to the believing men and the believing women gardens, beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them, and goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode; and best of all is Allah's goodly pleasure; that is the grand achievement. ~ Koran 9.72

Traditionally Moorish gardens are a symbol of cool place to rest and reflect and their imagination of jannat (heaven). There is one more

Alcazaba, Alhambra, Granada: History, Tour and Tickets

Alcazaba, Alhambra History
Alcazaba is the oldest and most ruined part of Alhambra, rich with history. Even before the Muslims arrived here, the place is believed to have several constructions, probably some from Roman times. History has it that Alcazaba was first built in 9th century by Sawwar ben Hamdun during the fights between Muslims and muwalladins (Christians who converted to the Islam

Nasrid Palace, Granada, History and Tour

Nasrid Palace History
The first historical documents about the Alhambra date back to 9th century. In the year 889, Sawwar ben Hamdun had to seek refuge in the Alcazaba, a fortress. The castle of the Alhambra was added to the city's area within the ramparts in the 9th century. It became a military fortress with a view over the whole city. The first king of the Nasrid dynasty, Mohammed ben

Palace of Charles V – Alhambra, Granada History and Tour

Palace of Charles V History 
Palace of Charles V also known as Palacio de Carlos in Spanish, was built in 1526. Charles V, a traveling monarch in the 16th century fell for the beauty of this beautiful place Alhambra. Though a part of the then existing complex was demolished to build this gigantic structure, remaining old structures were left untouched. And that is why this monstrous building

Generalife Garden's Tour, Alhambra, Granada History and Tickets

Generalife Gardens, Alhambra History 
History of Generalife, Alhambra dates back to 12th century. Al-Ahmar, the founder of the Nasrid Dynasty, took up residence here in 1238. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, the Generalife was ideal for gardening. The place was used as a place of rest for the Muslim royalty. It was designed as a rural villa in the vicinity of the Alhambra, with

Holy Trinity Monastery, Meteora, Greece

Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) Monastery is the most difficult one to access and therefore records the least number of tourists. There is a long pathway which takes to the base of this peak; from there you have to climb 140 steps approx carved to the sides of the peak to reach the monastery. The views are mesmerizing! The monastery existed since 1362, mentioned in scriptures and inscriptions. There

A Morning in Meteora, Greece

Again a photo essay! I have taken so many pictures there and I want to share them with you here. I hope you are not bored with monastery photographs.

The morning of 29th Dec 2014 was spent clicking the glorious sights of Meteora. The sky exhibited huge contrasts in terms of color and brightness. At the east end it was blue and bright but the other end was dark and grey. Whatever the weather the

St. Stephen’s Monastery, Meteora, Greece

St. Stephen’s Monastery (nunnery) on the Holy rock of Saint Stefanos includes two cathedrals; the old 16th century chapel which was severely damaged during WWII and the consequent Greek Civil War, and the 18th century main cathedral that is dedicated to Saint Charalambos. It includes his holy relics (His head). The monastery was virtually abandoned till 1961. It was accidentally discovered in

Holy Monastery of Rousanou, Meteora, Greece

Meteora in Greek means suspended in air and true to its meaning each monastery there looks suspended in air. As if the pointed peaks weren’t enough they even have functional monasteries on top of the peaks! During Ottoman rule, monks, hermits, fled the villages in the plains and sought refuge in these mountain peaks. The cavities, fissures and peaks of Meteora rocks, provided protection from the

Photo Essay on Meteora Rocks, Greece

It is like a forest of rocks there! How these structures acquired their form in Meteora is a mystery even today! Studies conducted here indicate the rock formed about 60 million years ago during the Paleogene Period (the time in which mammals evolved). These are natural sandstone rock pillars. Driving through the winding roads carved through these cluster of rocks was like zipping across in some

Meteora Memories

We left for Meteora from Larissa very early that day and could catch the Sun waking up from its slumber. As we were driving westward the sky was devoid of any of the magical colors. The meadows on either side of roads and the roads itself looked abandoned with not a single soul or traffic! The solar panels looked ready to capture all the energy the sun would disspiate for the day and we were on

Vergina, the Burial Site of the Kings of Macedon in Greece

One of the main reasons why we extended our trip to Thessaloniki, which in the north of Greece, in the peak of winters is to visit Vergina. Why Vergina? I wanted to walk into Philip’s world! Philip II - father of Alexander the Great who had marched into India in 326 BC. I am not sure if I will be able to visit Alexander the Great’s resting place in Alexandria in Egypt, why give up the chance to

The Church of Rotunda, Thessaloniki

An ancient place, Rotunda is definitely worth a visit.It is very much within walking distance from the big Byzantine churches and other heritage monuments. Wiki mentions it was built in 307 AD by Galerius with intentions of it being his mausoleum. His remains got buried in Serbia where he died in 311AD. Constantine later converted this monument into a church.This is the oldest church of

Arch of Galerius, Thessaloniki

You can never miss this Arch of Galerius while you are in Thessaloniki. It is there out in the open for all to see. I wonder if it has become too ordinary a sight for the locals there. The place did look like a meeting place for all, and they all seemed busy chatting with each other. Only a few tourists like me stood gaping at the crumbling but massive structure. What stunned me to silence was

Church of Agia Sofia, Thessaloniki, Greece

The first to top the list of ‘what to see?’ in Thessaloniki are the Byzantine Churches. This post is on 8th century Church of Agia Sofia.

But before that a little bit about Byzantine architecture: It is the architecture of the Byzantine Empire, also known as the Later Roman or Eastern Roman Empire. Buildings have increased geometric complexity compared to the basilicas that existed then. Brick

Frames From Hampi

Hampi is a photographer’s delight! The rocky terrain, the river flowing by for sunsets and sun rises, the ruins of the temples; all are so photogenic that you are always impressed by your own photography. Barring a few functioning temples, the whole of Hampi is welcome to cameras!

Rains, cloudy dramatic clouds or skies devoid of clouds; don’t really matter, you just click! Golden hours like sun

Stepped Water Tank, Vittala Temple, Hampi

The shot was taken at the stepped water tank near Vittala temple, Hampi. The shade around the tank is in ruins, roof of most part of the shade is gone. The four pillars at one end of the shade had no roof and they were making unique shadow patterns on the steps to the tank.





More pictures on Hampi here.

Thursday Challenge: Shadows
Weekend Reflections