It was quite easy to find the Granada Cathedral because it towers royally above Plaza de Bib-Rambla, it’s a monstrous structure and cannot be ignored, and anyone can see it quickly.
Granada Cathedral, it is nestled tightly in the center of Granada so its not always easy to get a nice perspective foto of the church being crowded together with the other buildings.
The Granada Cathedral is called the ‘Cathedral of Incarnation’ and like most cathedrals the façade is done in Gothic style with some Baroque elements. Construction started in the 16th century and it was finished in the 17th century. I didn’t go inside the cathedral (ok, I confess, I am slightly annoyed I did not but I let this pass) because when I am traveling with the Dutchman I tend to be low profile with my art and architecture enthusiasm. He really has nothing with culture and beautiful old structures and it’s already a huge compromise that he tagged along and became my chauffeur. That’s why in my other travels I go on my own and am thankful he gives me that freedom as well =)
The Cathedral is just a stone’s throw from Plaza de Bib-Rambla. The entrance is on the other side of the church by the main street.
Tea concoctions named after Granada and the Alhambra. I swear, there are so many cafes, tapas bars and restaurants, as well as hotels, and perhaps other businesses in this city named after the Alhambra.
At the back of the Cathedral is the spices and herbs market, not particularly sure if this is a permanent or temporary market though. The smell that is flirting with the air was coming from the dried aromatic plants and fruits, and spices as well were really nice and I was quite tempted to buy the dried cranberries for snack. Cranberries are great; they help sanitize the very sensitive female urinary tract system and prevent UTI which is a common and recurring problem with many women. Anyway, I didn’t buy but took lovely fotos.
Spices and herbs market at the back of the Cathedral. I like their merchandising efforts, very charming and attractive, makes you want to buy.
Arandano, dried cranberries in the middle foto, and all other herbs and spices, i.e., chillipeppers, cilantro, pimiento, cumin, anis, vanilla…
Paella and fish mixes and some herbal concoctions.
Time must have passed by so quickly, it was almost 17:00 and I haven’t seen the Alhambra yet. And we do not have a map! Oh uh. How do we get to the Alhambra? What time is it closing? Wait—I want to see the Sacromonte Caves and the Albayzin as well! Argh, S.T.R.E.S.S…. In my book (loaned by the Dutch father) it says the Alhambra is open until 20:30—oh I really hope so, and Albayzin, the Moorish village and the Sacromonte Caves are beside the Alhambra. OK good, let’s go!
Travel Period: August 2010
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