Andalusia (Spain),

Photographed by Cristian Madolciu, December 2005

the culture heritage, and some of its roots

Seville: Alcazar, the palace of King Pedro the Cruel of Castile built in Islamic (Moorish) style on the site of an earlier Islamic palace.

Just one of the ceilings in the palace

The gate to the palace’s gardens

Seville: La Giralda tower and the monumental striking Cathedral built on a monumental Mosque

Seville: The rehabilitated old Jewish quarter converted into an attractive tourist quarter full of atmosphere

Seville: A Synagogue converted into a beautiful church

Flamenco is a combination of dance, guitar, and a unique characteristic form of singing. - It developed as a mix of Gypsy, Jewish, and Islamic elements.

Flamenco

Seville: A street theater in the alleys

Seville: The main entrance to the bullring site (for bullfighting events).

Cordoba: A huge magnificent Mosque converted into a magnificent beautiful Cathedral.Everyone here is proud of the city’s historical world-renowned philosopher -- Maimonides (the Jewish RAMBAM).

Baeza (on UNESCO list of preserved old cities): The Cathedral

Baeza: Preserved old alleys.

Ubeda (on UNESCO list of preserved old cities): The El Salvador church

Granada: The cathedral

Granada: The cathedral

Granada: The Alhambra palace – Islamic architecture at its best

Granada: The Cartuja monastery – “a Christian Alhambra”

Granada: The Cartuja monastery

Granada: The Cartuja monastery

Marbella: A new residential neighborhood