THE AL-ANDALUS OF MAIMONIDES AND AVERROES

Transcription

1 ITINERARY THE AL-ANDALUS OF MAIMONIDES AND AVERROES Day 1 Arrival to Malaga Airport (pm) OVN CORDOBA. Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Córdoba city centre. Check-in. Free evening for a walking tour or just rest at the hotel. Day 2 CÓRDOBA OVN CORDOBA h: Sefarad House and Museum. Introductory seminar to the theme of this cultural program: the history of Sefarad and Al-Andalus (Jewish and Arabian Spain), the perfect harmony of 3 cultures and religions living together for 8 centuries, the importance of this region on the Mediterranean space as a community of reason, tolerance, progress and prosperity for Jews, Muslims and Christians working together and fnally a very special attention to Muslim philosopher Averroes and Jewish Philosopher Maimónides, who worked together in the 12 th century in Islamic Spain to advance the writings of Aristotle. They served as an example of scholarly cooperation and a source of inspiration today at a time of marked division.. Screening of the documentary Out of Cordoba, directed by Jacob Bender.. Private visit to the Sefarad house and Museum. This is an old private house very tastefully converted into a small educational museum devoted to the Sephardic-Judaic tradition in the Medieval Spain. Our speakers and guides will be profesor and historian Mr. Sebastián de la Obra together with his colleague and translator Mr. Rafael Villegas. Mr. de la Obra is the founder and owner of this private museum and the whole library collection (a real cultural and intellectual treasure of Medieval Spanish writings) h: Torre de la Calahorra (Calahorra Tower) The Calahorra Tower is an old Moorish fortress, built during the late 12th century by the Almohads to protect the nearby Roman Bridge on the Guadalquivir river. The tower was declared a national historical monument in 1931 and nowadays is the Al-Andalus living museum. Here you can experience the way of life in Cordoba between the 9th-13th centuries, a period of brilliant cultural, artistic and scientifc achievement. Its modern facilities include a system of headphones and infrared data transfer that guide you through the eight themed rooms with dioramas h: Tapas lunch in the Jewish quarter h: Mosque-Cathedral Private guided visit to the Mosque of Córdoba, one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish architecture. It was built in 785, when Cordoba was the capital of the Spanish muslim dinasty of the Ummayads. The prayer hall (23,400 m2) is flled with almost 500 hundred slender columns and superimposed striped arches, a forest sprouting from the marble foor h: Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs Private guided visit to this Moorish Fortress and Palace, which served as one of the primary residences of Isabella I of Castille and Ferdinand II of Aragon (the Christian Monarchs) h: Sefardí music concert It takes place at the Sefarad Museum

2 Day 3 CÓRDOBA OVN CÓRDOBA 10-13h: Medinat Al Zahara Guided visit to Medinat Al-Zahara (8 km west of Córdoba). This is one of the major archaeological sites in the whole Spain, the ruins of a vast, fortifed Arabian medieval Palace-city built in the 10 th century by Abd-ar-Rahman III, the Ummayyad Caliph of Cordoba h: Lunch at the Victoria Market A gourmet marketplace in the heart of Córdoba, located in the middle of some leafy gardens in a beautiful 19 th century building that has been carefully restored preserving its iron structure and zinccovered roof. The perfect place to enjoy a gastro-wine experience h: Jewish quarter tour. 1 h walking tour around the Jewish quarter guided by professor Mr Sebastian de la Obra to discover the way of living of philosophers Averroes and Maimonides.. 1 h Patios visit (recently name as part of the Intangible Unesco Heritage list) 20-21h: Andalusian Horse Show Equestrian show at the monumental Royal Stables in Córdoba. This attractive building in Cordoba was built by order of Philip II in With his love for horses, he intended to create purebred Spanish horses. This show is a unique chance to marvel at the beauty and magic of these animals which show different disciplines and the skill of the riders. The show is also accompanied by music and dancing which is combined with the horses' exercises. Day 4 SEVILLA OVN SEVILLA h: Botanical Garden, Córdoba Guided visit focussed on the medicine plants and researches that were made in the X-XI centuries by Maimónides and his predecessor, the also Jewish Hasdai ib Shaprut, doctor of the Arabian sultan Abderraman III (the one who ordered built the stunning Medinat al Zahara). The botanic garden has two important museums: the Palaeobotany museum to learn about the evolution of plants and the Ethnobotany museum to learn how plants have been used traditionally by mankind and what are their benefts for the human race h: Transfer to Sevilla 13.30h: Check-in h: Tapas lunch in a local restaurant Free afternoon and evening with optional activities: arabian spa, shopping, horse carriage to Mª Luisa's Park and Plaza de España, river cruise, famenco show, Metropol panoramic view (Plaza Encarnacion)...

3 Day 5 SEVILLA OVN SEVILLA 10-13h: Sevilla walking tour Walking sightseeing tour of the historical city centre with your local guide including visits to the Cathedral, the remains of the Jewish quarter and the Arabian Alcazar fortress (second most important in Al-Andalus after the Alhambra) h: Tapas lunch in a local restaurant h: Casa de Pilatos (Pilate's house) It is an Andalusian palace, which serves as the permanent residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli. The building is a mixture of Renaissance Italian and Mudéjar Spanish styles. Precious tiles, Andalusian courtyards and beautiful gardens h: Afternoon tea at the hotel Alfonso XIII Since its inauguration in 1928, the Hotel Alfonso XIII has been the preferred rendezvous for residents of Seville and elite travelers from around the world. Constructed by command of King Alfonso XIII of Spain to house VIP guests at the Iber-American Exposition in 1928, the hotel has, for over 85 years, been the place to stay for royalty, heads of state a n d t h o s e k e e n t o s h a r e i n i t s a u r a o f h i s t o r y a n d g l a m o u r. Today its distinctive Mudéjar-style architecture of sweeping arches, decorative brickwork, wrought-iron, ornamental towers and glorious ceramic fnials continue to charm guests and locals alike and cement its iconic status. Free evening with optional activities: arabian spa, shopping, horse carriage to Mª Luisa's Park and Plaza de España, river cruise, famenco show, Metropol panoramic view (Plaza Encarnacion)... Day 6 GRANADA OVN GRANADA 9-11h: Transfer to Granada 11h: Check-in h: Granada walking tour Guided sightseeing tour around the 3 neighborhoods of Granada: city centre including visit to the Cathedal and the Christian Royal Chapel, the Jewish Realejo quarter where you can see the statue of Maimonides translator, Ibn Tebbon and the Muslim Albaycin quarter (pàrt of the Unesco World Heritage list since 1994) h: Lunch at a Granada Carmen house A carmen is defned as a house in Granada that has a garden with grape vines and fruit trees and a high wall that separates it from the street. The word comes from the Arab word karm meaning vine. It is the perfect combination of a kitchen and a ornamental garden. The fruit trees bring colour, shade and fragrance to the garden but also have the practical bear fruit. From these beautiful gardens you have views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, of the city and of the Alhambra palace h: Palacio de los Olvidados ( The Palace of the Forgotten ) Guided visit to this brand new museum dedicated to the culture of Sephardic Jews who used to live in Granada before the Inquisition. The museum, which is called The Palace of the Forgotten, is housed inside the Santa Ines palace located in the Albaicin quarter. The museum contains Judaica artifacts, archeological fndings such as ceramic utensils, furniture, artworks and other valuables recovered from Jewish homes. The museum features the restoration of a mikvah ritual bath from before the 15th century, which is among the few well-preserved mikvahs from that period ever excavated in Spain h: Afternoon tea (moroccan style) There many places in Granada where you can try an exotic tea but Caldereria Nueva is a pedestrian street that seems have devoted exclusively to Arab tea houses, Moorish craft shops and stalls. Free evening

4 Day 7 GRANADA OVN GRANADA 10-13h: The Alhambra Palace The name Alhambra comes from an Arabic root which means "red castle", The Alhambra was a palace, a fortress and the home of the Nasrid sultans (high government offcials, servants of the court and elite soldiers) from the 13th to the 14th century. Today, the monument is divided into four main areas: the Nasrid palaces, the military zone or Alcazaba, the city or Medina and the agricultural estate of the Generalife. The Alhambra became a Christian court in 1492 when the Catholic Monarchs (Ferdinand and Isabel) conquered the city of Granada h: Tapas lunch in a local restaurant Free afternoon to relax or shopping Evening: diner and famenco show in a gipsy cave on the Sacromonte quarter to enjoy an authentic atmosphere and an amazing night panoramic of the Alhambra Day 8 DEPARTURE Transfer to Malaga airport for your return fight Please note: the above itinerary may change at any time due to circumstances beyond our control

5 WHAT WE DO AND WHAT'S INCLUDED Accommodation (7 nights) At JUST EXPLORE we only use pre-selected and pre-viewed 3/4 star boutique hotels. Each has its own individual charm and all are ideally located close to the city centre. Bedrooms are normally for 2 people sharing (double/twin). Supplement for single use is applicable (one of our hotels in Granada) (one of our hotels in Sevilla) (one of our hotels in Córdoba) Guides (Knowledge is everything) Our team of offcial local guides, expert profesors and historians, speaking fuent English, will help you to explore the culture, the history and the secret tales of magic Al Andalus. All tickets and passes are included. A tour guide will be escorting you for the whole scheculed program and will be reachable 24h if any help is required.

6 WHAT WE DO AND WHAT'S INCLUDED Transport: *Luxury bus with private chauffeur speaking English Meals and drinks All breakfasts included. All meals and drinks mentioned in the itinerary are also included (6 lunches + 1 diner) Our guides are always on hand to suggest local tapas bars and restaurants so you to experience the true taste of Andalucía. Activities / Shows - Sefardi music concert, Córdoba - Spanish Horse show at the Royal Stables in Córdoba - Flamenco show in a gipsy cave on the Sacromonte quarter, Granada.