Courtyards Cordoba open to the Public from 8 till 19 May 2013

Where can you find the Courtyards/Patios?

The most characteristic district is the Alcázar Viejo district, between the Alcázar and the parish of San Basilio, although there are also many in the districts of Santa Marina, around the church of San Lorenzo and near la Magdalena. Just around the Mosque-Cathedral, there are also very beautiful old examples of courtyards in the old Jewish quarter. The most beautiful courtyards of all are to be found in the Palacio de Viana (Viana Palace), with twelve different courtyards.

Patio Palacio de Viana

COURTYARDS COMPETITION
Since 1918, the Town Hall has organised a competition of Courtyards and Crosses in the first week of May, and the owners decorate their houses with great care to try and win the prestigious award offered by the authorities. A festival runs in parallel with a number of performances by the best singers and dancers on the scene, while the local fino wine from Montilla-Moriles flows freely and delicious tapas are served.
It is thanks to these events that the Cordoban courtyard is becoming more and more important in popular festivities, and helps the general public to celebrate and welcome these festivals with enthusiasm and hospitality.

Stay in one of our hilday rentals with pool in Cordoba province and visit Cordoba from there:
Holiday rental Casa Zagrilla: in English, in French, in Dutch and in German
Holiday houses Casas Castil in Castil de Campos: in English, in French, in Dutch and in German

Source: www.turismodecordoba.org

Historical Botanical Gardens Malaga

History
Located on the outskirts of Malaga this 49 hectare estate houses, La Concepcíon, a romantic- style garden home to more than 2,000 species of plants. The history of La Concepcíon dates back to 1855 when the gardens creators, Jorge Loring and Amalia Heredia, decided to create a garden after visiting some of Europe’s finest gardens whilst on their honeymoon. Their comfortable economic situation coupled with their international contacts enabled them to build one of the finest collections of flora in southern Europe.
After being purchased  by the Echevarria-Echevarrieta family in 1911 the gardens were extended to their current size with the addition of several new areas.
Today the Botanic Gardens provide the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of vibrant Malaga and ease into the quiet of the Gardens,  get in touch with nature, lose yourself in the gardens  and enjoy spectacular views of Malaga and surrounds. One of the best ways to explore and appreciate the gardens is to take one of the many walking itineraries in the gardens.

Plants
La Concepcion is home to a romantic-style garden that was officially recognised as a “garden of historical-artistic importance” in 1943. Worthy of particular note among the 2,000-plus species to be found on the estate are the trees that make up the enormous wood, where ficuses, araucarias, casuarinas, magnolias, pines, cypresses and cedars, some over 100 years old, create a remarkable arboretum. Species from subtropical climes predominate here. The gardens’ collection of palm trees is considered one of the finest in all of Europe, comprising almost 100 species, some of which are unique exhibits, such as a 7-bough date tree and a Chilean palm which is one of the biggest of its type in Spain, as well as a number of trees rarely found in these latitudes. La Concepcion also boasts a large collection of aquatic plants, bamboos, cycads, zamias and encephalartos, a wide variety of traditional Malaga vines, cactus, insectivorous, orchids, bromelias, fruit trees and natural areas of Mediterranean forest.


Buildings
In addition to its botanical riches, La Concepcion boasts an equally-significant historical heritage. In the XIX century, La Concepcion served as a meeting point for a whole host of illustrious figures of the time. Politicians, artists, aristocrats and the noble Malaga bourgeoisie all frequented its gardens. As a result, a number of distinguished buildings were erected here: the magnificent Stately Home, the cypress house, the administrator’s house, the gardener’s hut and the schoolhouse; two iron greenhouses; a large arbour; fountains, footbridges, flights of steps, a delightful viewpoint, and, most impressive of all, the Loring Museum, a small, Doric-style building which housed the archaeological discoveries unearthed in the excavations financed by the estate’s first owners. Some of these archaeological pieces are on display around the museum, having recently been relocated as part of a project by the architect Jose Fernandez Oyarzabal.

San Telmo Aqueduct
The water supply of Malaga has been one of the most serious problems the city has had since ancient times. In 1782, at the request of Bishop Molina Lario, the architect Aldehuela Martin began working on the San Telmo Aqueduct, because the work of hydraulic engineering was considered very important in the eighteenth-century Spain.
Over 10 km of route from its outlet from the River Guadalmedina, with 33 bridges and 30 aqueducts, reaching its destination by gravity.
In 1788 he authorized the supply to La Concepción. Here one can see part of the branch that supplied water to the farm prior to the garden.





 
Opening hours:

April thru September: From Tuesday till Sunday: from 9.30 AM till 8-30 PM

October thru March: Tuesday till Sunday from 9.30 till 8.30 PM

Entreefees:
General entrance: 4,20 €
Pensioners above 65 and children from 6 till 16 years: 2,10 €
Also guided visits possible

Adress:Camino del Jardin Botanico, no. 3 - 29014 Malaga.
Phone: 952 25 07 45
Source: Botanical Gardens Malaga




Holiday Rentals of Le Chien Andalous in Malaga province:
English ; Deutsch : 
Français ; Nederlands 

Cheap flights to Almeria

The airport  of Almeria is quite small, but with an increasing number of flights.
This year you can fly from:


UK
London Gatwick to Almeria with Easyjet, London Stansted and East Midlands (Nottingham) to Almeria with Ryanair.

Netherlands

There are cheap flights from:  Amsterdam to Almeria with Vueling.

Belgium 

Also from Brussels to Almeria with Vueling

Also from Brussels to Almeria with Jetair.

With Ryanair you can fly from Brussels Charleroi to Almeria

Germany

With Ryanair you can fly from Düsseldorf Weeze to Almeria.

Also there are cheap flights from:  Düsseldorf to Almeria with Vueling.

From Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Bremen, Münster and Köln you can fly to Almeria with Air Berlin

Aircraft Vueling

See our holiday rentals in Almeria!

More information about flights to Andalusia:
article July 2012  : tips to find cheap flights
article September 2012: to Granada airport
article March 2012: Low cost flights from Holland and Belgium
article December 2011. Low cost flights from France to Andalucia

Holy week in Granada, from 24 till 31 March 2013

Holy Week in Granada is one of the city’s most deeply rooted traditions and attracts the largest number of visitors. The processions take place between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday.

The setting for Granada’s Holy Week is significant. The Cathedral, a excellent example of Renaissance architecture by Diego de Siloé, is the centrepiece of the religious activities. However, during the processions it is possible to visit other spots that make the event even more beautiful: El Albaicín, the Paseo de los Tristes, the Carrera del Darro and even the Alhambra.

The Gypsy processions are famous all over the world, the climb to the Sacromonte of the statues with a blend of devotional songs and bonfires; the one of the Silence or El Silencio when street lights are switched off as the procession passes by, and the procession around the Alhambra, which winds it way around the Nazarene monument, continuing along the famous Puerta de la Justicia.

Procession Holy Week Granada - Christ of the Gypsies de José Risueño

In the processions  sculptures of Christ, Maria and the Cross by Pablo de Rojas,  José de Mora, Risueño and Torcuato Ruíz de Peral are carried.

Holy Week in Granada also features a unique event; the prayer offered at three o’clock in the afternoon of Good Friday known as the Hora Nona. This takes place in the Campo del Principe, where the death of Christ is commemorated in front of the stone statue of the Cristo de los Favores. Traditionally, thousands of people gather here, to pray the three creeds and to make three wishes or requests.

Leche Frita - "Fried Milk"

The religious and festive attractions are complemented by traditional dishes during this week, which include local sweetmeats (roscos, pestiños, leche frita, and empanadillas) and stews dishes with cod, an essential part of this festival.

Source: Turgranada.es

Holiday rentals near Granada: in English, in French, in German and in Dutch

Alhambra, now in February open to the public: the tower of the Captive

During the month of February the Tower of the Captive will be open to the public.

The Tower of the Captive appears to be as any other tower of the ensemble. However, its interior is one of the most outstanding living quarters areas of the Alhambra due to the decoration.

It’s a tower-palace, or Qalahurra, and its structure and distribution is the same as in the houses and palaces of the Monumental Complex. It has a double left-right bending entrance which leads into a patio with arches standing on pillars.

The main living room has a square plan and split windows looking out from tiny alcoves.

This space together with the Comares Hall houses the most complex decorative programme of the Alhambra. 

Name of the tower: Tower of the Captive.

Period: End of the XIII century, though it was renovated and transformed as living quarters during the time of Yusuf I, first half of the XIV century.

Outstanding features: It’s a tower-palace, or Qalahurra, combining defensive features on the outside and living quarters in the inside.

Timetable: From 8.30 to 18 hours. Tuesday, Wednesday , Thursday  and Sundays.

Access: Show general entrance ticket to the Monumental Complex of the Alhambra.

Forum: Maximum 30 people at one time.

Plant of the Month of the Alhambra: February

Japanes Quince Tree, flowers in February

The Alhamabra Museum Piece of the Month February: Wooden Chess Board

The game of chess has been known since the 9th century, and it extended quickly throughout al-Andalus to the rest of the Iberian Peninsula and Europe.

 

 

This game was probably introduced into the Hispano-Muslim world by Ziryāb, from Irak. However, it was King Alfonso X, the Wise, who compiled all the features about it in The books of chess, dice and backgammon.  This publication is yet another symbol of how Hispano-Muslim culture acted as a bridge linking up east and west.  

 

The piece of this month being shown in the Museum of the Alhambra is a board made in walnut wood and decorated in marquetry on both sides. One of them represents the game of chess and the other is a game of backgammon.  

Source: www.alhambra-patronato.es

Cabo de Gata Natural Park

Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Park was Andalusia's first marine-terrestrial protected area.

Its ecology and landscape are so unusual, mainly due to the absence of winter weather and to its geological diversity, with a predominance of volcanic substrates where lava outcrops, domes and fossil beaches comprise a unique landscape whose ochre, black and red tones are captivating for their beauty. 

Isleta del Moro, Almeria

Cabo de Gata-Níjar has the best conserved 50 kilometres of coastal cliffs anywhere on the Mediterranean in Europe. Along this stunning coastline with rugged cliffs you will find: town and village beaches such as San José, Las Negras and Aguamarga; magnificent unspoilt beaches such as Mónsul and Los Genoveses; hidden and all but inaccessible coves such as Carnaje and Enmedio; spectacular volcanic and corral cliffs such as Punta de los Muertos and Mesa Roldán. 

Playazo, Almeria

Furthermore, this area has a semi-arid climate with low rainfall and a low water table leading to soils that are poor and underdeveloped but which, nevertheless, are home to one of Europe's most unusual ensembles of flora, with more than 1,000 endemic species. There are areas of palmetto and wolfbane that cling to steep volcanic slopes, dense esparto grass, rosemary and jujube that cover the plains, and, in spring, thousands of daisies that turn the coastal cliffs yellow. They are all examples of plants adapted to the harsh local climatic conditions.

Playa de los Genoveses, Almería

Special mention should be made of the marine ecosystem on account of its variety and abundance. Its marine beds have extensive meadows of posidonea. This plant is similar to green algae, and its proliferation gives rise to real underwater forests that are home to a wide variety of marine fauna: crabs, octopus and fish, including the pen shell, the biggest endangered bivalve in the Mediterranean, considered to be a real natural gem. Buried in the plains of sand and mud there is a wealth of varied fauna - small but vital to the health of the ecosystem as a whole. The rocky sea beds demonstrate extraordinary changes in shape and colour: algae, false corral and a wide variety of fish, including the grouper, also known as "rey del roquedo" (king of the rock fish). Eco-diving in these crystal clear waters is an unforgettable experience. 

Cortijo típico Almeria

Another interesting place, very close to the fishing village of San Miguel, are the Cabo de Gata Salt Pans, home to much of the park's bird life. A multitude of waders such as avocets, black-winged stilts and plovers come to feed in these coastal waters. It is also common to see different species of gulls, ducks and colonies of flamingos. Over the course of the year you can see more than 80 species of birds, either here or at the nearby Rambla Morales delta lagoon, known locally as "Charco". Meanwhile, the Las Amoladeras steppe has esparto grass and thyme plants that provide shelter to a community of birds often hard to see, such as the stone curlew, common lark, short-toed lark and Dupont's lark. Up into the mountains there are birds of prey and small mammals that complete the regional fauna. 

Las Negras, Almeria

Improved infrastructure aiming for sustainable development along with the variety of activities available, such as scuba diving, cycle-touring, boat trips and horse riding routes, will show you all the wealth of this nature area. The fishing village at La Isleta del Moro, the Rodalquilar mining village, the stunning beauty of Los Muertos beach or the incredible cliffs at Los Escullos are all unique experiences awaiting you in these privileged surroundings. 

Pool Casa Cascada, Las Negras

Le Chien Andalous offers various holiday houses and studios in the Cabo de Gata natural park:
In Las Negras, Casa Olivos, Casa Torrecilla, Studios and with pool Casa Palmera and Casa Cascada.
Near San José: the ecologica resort with small houses Finca Albaricoques.  

Source text Cabo de Gata Natural Park: Junta de Andalucia page Medio Ambiente

The Three Kings came from Andalusia states Pope Benedict XVI

Now Christmas time is arriving and in every village and in every house in Andalusia people will install as usual their belén, or nativity scene. Apart from Maria, Joseph and the baby Jesus, these scenes always go accompanied by the three kings, Baltazar, Melchor and Gazpar bringing their presents to Jesus: gold, mirre and incense.

Baltazar, Gaspar and Melchor in a typical nativity scene

It was thought that these kings came from the far east as many christmas carrols in Spain claim, but now Pope Benedict XVI has stated in his recently published book 'The Childhood of Jesus' that probably these kings came from the region known as Tartessos, believed to be located somewhere in the provinces of Cadiz, Seville and Huelva.

The kings come every year on the eve of th 5th of january at dusk to bring their presents. In some cities they even come on camels or donkeys, but nowadays most of them come on a motorised vehicle. They and their pages throw lots of sweets to all the children attending the parade.

That evening you have to put some anisette for the kings and some hay for the animals on the nativity scene and the shoes of the children, so that the kings can leave their presents there.
The sixth of january is a bank holiday and everybody sits down to enjoy the presents and the 'Roscon de Reyes' a special cake which contains an image of the king or the virgen Mary (which means luck for the coming year) and a bean (which means that you have to pay the 'Roscon' the next year).