Granada was the last stronghold of the Moors and held out until 1492 when King Fernando and Queen Isabella of Spain expelled them. Apparently Fernando was the handsome part of the duo and Isabella did the thinking. The picture shows the outside of their tomb: we went inside but there are no photos allowed. It is very grand and impressive with a massive carved marble tomb, intricate gilded altar and wrought iron altar screen, but lacks the beauty and harmony of similar tombs we saw in Italy last autumn.
Isabella died in 1505 and left instructions that a candle should be left burning for her in perpetuity. Being the acclaimed heroine of all Spain, this wish was followed to the letter- that is, until some time in the 1980s, when an electric light bulb replaced the candle! Despite numerous protests, it took 10 years before the candle was restored.
This is Convento de San Jeronimo, a beautiful building surrounded by orange trees. It was founded by Fernando and Isabella but not built until after their deaths. It is still an operating convent today. But hang on, I’m puzzled here, and I know the spelling is slightly different, but wasn’t Geronimo an Apache Indian chief?
This is one of the many guitar shops in Cuesta de Gomerez, or “Guitar Street” as it is known. They are not just shops but workshops and make the guitars on the premises. They have a reputation for high quality. The shops were closed as it was early afternoon (i.e. siesta) so I couldn’t go in for a closer look, but the lack of price tickets in any of the shop windows indicated premium prices.
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