I was in Spain to watch the match between Galatasaray and Real Madrid and also to do some sightseeing

I didn’t stay long in Madrid, so I don’t have much to say about it. I drove by car from Madrid to the south to Andalusia. There is a lot to tell about Andalusia.

Andalusia is the meeting point of Africa and Europe. It is the region where the color red fits best. The home of music, red wine, and flamenco. A place where art and aesthetics come together. In Andalusia, you can find traces of many civilizations and cultures. Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Umayyads, at times Jews and European tribes as well. Something remains from each civilization. Andalusia also played an important role in Islamic history. After the conquest of Andalusia by Tariq ibn Ziyad and his soldiers, an Islamic civilization was established here, which lasted for over 600 years. Hence, they also left their traces, with 15% of Spanish words being based on Arabic. I won’t go into the details of the Umayyad civilization in Andalusia, but I want to summarize the situation with one or two examples.

A thousand years ago, open-heart surgeries and brain surgeries were performed in Andalusia. Imagine how advanced science was at that time. Must-sees in Andalusia include the Cafe Cantantes (singing coffee houses), which were opened in Seville in 1912 and contributed to making flamenco a folk dance. Before that, flamenco was a street performance of the Gypsies. Take an evening and enjoy a flamenco performance. Flamenco is a fascinating art that brings together the cultures of Arabs, Spaniards, Jews, Romans, and Gypsies on one stage. It is the music and dance form described by Yahya Kemal Beyatlı in his poem “Raks in Andalusia.” If you have the opportunity, you should also visit the bullfighting arenas. I will now go into other details in the list of places to visit.

Sights in Córdoba

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (La Mezquita)

This mosque, located in an old Jewish quarter, was built during Roman times and later converted into a mosque by Muslims. It has such a large structure that 50,000 people can pray there simultaneously. In 1236, it was converted back into a church by King Ferdinand. Nowadays, it functions as a museum.

Roman Bridge

A historic bridge from Roman times over the Guadalquivir River. It is also referred to as the Roman Bridge in the series “Game of Thrones”… Calle de las Flores: A colorful and narrow street right behind the mosque, which is a popular place for tourists. Jewish Quarter: A street where Jews lived during Roman times. It is a pedestrianized and large neighborhood. Festivals are also held here on certain days of the year. 

Sights in Granada

Let’s talk about Granada in the words of a Mexican poet: “Give her alms, my lady, for there is nothing worse than being blind in Granada.“

The Alhambra

A breathtaking palace mentioned in the stories of One Thousand and One Nights. One of the highlights of Islamic architecture. As the name suggests, it is the “Red Palace”. We can also describe it as a series of intertwined palaces. It has several palaces within it. The construction alone took 120 years. It is also the symbol of Granada. When you enter through the main gate, you feel like you are stepping from one world into another. Such places should definitely be visited with a guide, and tickets should be reserved online in advance, as they accommodate a limited number of visitors daily. We paid 20 euros for the entrance to the palace built by Muslims, and supposedly all the money goes to the Vatican, which is a strange irony. ☺

 

Sacromonte

A neighborhood and hill on the other side of the Darro River. Known for its flamenco centers and cave houses. You can visit these cave houses and even stay in some of them. This area is also a place where you can experience the Gypsy culture up close. You can hear the stories of the Gypsies living on the fringes of society in isolated and challenging living conditions.

Sights Málaga

The coastal city where the famous painter Picasso was born.

Málaga Cathedral

A church whose construction began in the 16th century and lasted 200 years. It is located 200 meters from the Port of Málaga. Inside, you can admire the Renaissance and Baroque architecture.

Gibralfaro Castle

A unique palace at an elevation of 140 meters. The name comes from Arabic and means “rock of the lighthouse.” When you go up, you are rewarded with a magnificent view of the city and the sea. You can also observe the bullfighting arena. On clear weather days, you can even see the Strait of Gibraltar from here. The place was also used as a prison at some point. It is a historical building where Moorish architecture meets Spanish culture.

Picasso Museum

Near the birthplace of the great painter Picasso, in the Palacio Buenavista on San Agustín Street, you will find the museum dedicated to him. After his death, Picasso wanted his hometown to have a museum in his name, and this wish was fulfilled by the city of Málaga. The museum was able to open after Picasso’s family handed over his works to the city of Málaga.

Conclusion

Andalusia is a place that is rich in both historical and cultural aspects and should be visited. There are also places that I could not visit but are worth seeing, such as Seville and Cadiz. Additionally, you can also visit the place where Tariq ibn Ziyad landed and set fire. In Andalusia, you will find the meeting of East and West.