On to Carmona and Cordoba and Jean for Olive Oil

 Drove to Carmona on way to Cordoba. Love me some cemeteries, so visited Roman necropolis
where the significant event was dropping my sunglasses into the deepest tomb. This required Antonio to climb into said tomb to retrieve glasses. Am hoping no Roman spirits were disturbed.

In Carmona enjoying the sunshine, and cat-on right, under door

 

The necropolis of Carmona is from the 1st century, discovered in the late 1800s by a local archeologist. Cremated bodies were placed in a niche of the family owned underground rock chamber along with offerings. This necropolis showed us all of this. When peering down into a deep chamber, my sunglasses leapt from my head straight down the burial chamber. OOPS! 

a chamber with niches

Antonio starts sunglass retrieval process

Antonio finds the glasses in deepest tomb, and successfully climbs out

Carmona city: castle and cathedral

Cordoba is a beautiful city very much about Arabic architecture and history.  Annual artistic exhibit-this year highlighted spices/herbs which were used in sculptures, street art.  What really made us awestruck tho was the mosque cathedral. Literally the world's largest mosque at the time, then filled with Christian churches and used as cathedral. Boggles the imagination.

amazing hotel, our balcony on left

burrata arugula pesto lunch

vermouth is BIG in Spain

example of silver filigree

clay artisan

silversmith making filigree

sculpture with plants

closeup of orchids

close up of herbs, veggies

street art honoring bullfighter - in herbs, veggies

ceiling details

unusual double arches. each column different - reused Roman

Mosque overlayed with Christian Byzantine mosaics

Muslim arches open to this, a bascilica

 

Left side not refurbished

Muslim arch overlaid with Christian art. Muslim arches retained behind this.

Brass side door

Cordoba synagogue converted to Christian Church-see cross

Remembering that the Jewish population also had a presence, we visited the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba. As elsewhere, the streets were narrow and the buildings taller as families had to live in designated areas. 

We found the main synagogue, converted to a Christian church during the Inquisition. Likely these converted Jews practiced Judaism under the guise of Christian services.

Roman bridge over Guadalquivir River -the only major navigable river in Spain. but no longer from Cordoba

Flamenco dancing started with the gypsies and is a signature dance style of Spain. Not only does this include dance, but also music and a very loud singing with clapping and foot stomping. Very energetic and 

beautiful, intense women

mesmerizing dancers

singer

 Our last evening in Cordoba was spent at a brasa restaurant - meat. We had no reservations, but went at opening time thinking we'd find a table. They were completely booked, floors 1,2 and 3 - filled. We were taken to each floor just to make sure with the floor manager. Then, the restaurant maitre'd took us up one more floor. Tables were set, but no one was there. We were seated and had the evening to ourselves with plenty of waitstaff trudging up that last floor to take care of us. Dinner was remarkably delicious - beef cheeks, huge pork loin, 2 glasses of wine all for about $44. Leaving, we made our way to the ground floor to find people crowded in the lobby and out the door. No idea why the Turk and I had a private room with no reservation - but we enjoyed our special evening.

dinner!

after 2 hours in the bascilica

Headed east to the center of Spains olive oil industry around the city of Jaen (said with a guttural sound for the J). Mostly family owned olive groves, like in Turkey. The family who gave us a tour has adopted modern techniques and a focused marketing plan thanks to the 2 sons who have taken over dads business. But still so similar to Marks family olive growing techniques. Of course we caused a disturbance by parking in obvious parking space. A man ran over and yelled at us, waving his arms. Clueless, we moved the car over until he smiled at us. Seems he was trying to paint parking lines right where we parked! 

Spain is largest producer of olive oil

the parking space painter

Green olives-most valuable oil, and also producing least amount of oil per olive it was around here that I got sprayed by green olive juice all over my white top. I looked like an authentic olive employee.

fresh picked olives

green olive oil

 

From castle atop mountain overlooking Jaen. Moor fortress, then Christian, then napoleon's fortress, then spanish. Whew! Now overlooks Jaen.  Cross is a short footpath from castle. And of course we walked there.

viewing the ridge from the fortress

to the cross!!!