The birth place of the long-sword, short-term.


We are heading to Loja. We will edge around La Esperanza and as there is a Cafe Bar La Esperanza so let us go there first.



 This one of those ones where the place gets 3.8 stars, from only fifty reviews. The mode average is 5, notably five. Four comes next, then three.  The four [8%] of one stars are very old.  Seven years ago Franqc reckons the place was dirty.  Five years ago jose complained of the covid risk of a lack of masks.  Two of the three two stars were six years ago.  Let's look at the recent ones.



Nothing is more recent than a year. The most recent with comments was two years ago.  El empotrador Justiciero said ‘Good place to eat perfectly cooked roast meat, roast ham too, and especially the skewers were delicious grilled. I will go back.’



We will cross the river and enter Loja, about 21,000 people in the municipality.  Traces of everyone once lived here, even the Romans, although it wasn’t until 1991 that this was proved. It was the Moors that turned this place urban.   As an important town on the way to Granada it was attacked by Ferdinad III ‘the saint’ in 1225.   Ferdie did a lot of fighting and unifying of diverse Spanish kingdoms. The campaign to saint him really got going in the 16th century.  He was buried in Seville and apparently his spiritual energy attracted the faithful. Pope Sxitus V said he had the halo of sanctity in 1590 - and really ought to be a saint. Urban VIII said he really needed a bit more proof. Eventually, in 1671, Clement X canonized him.  Back to Loja. In 1486 the place was taken, after a siege of several days.



As we enter Loja we will pass the Heladeria Artesana Santa Clara.  The Wandering Smoker says of the place ‘Brilliant!! Home made ice cream.. My two favourites are the Lemon and the Mango Sorbet... Absolutely delicious!!!’  Fran reckoned ‘The best ice cream shop I've ever been to. Try the Hippo flavor. 100% white Kinder Bueno. Super cheap prices.’   We will take some of the goodies and move on.




The Carrera de San Augustin has a cover above it so we can sit out in the summer sun and not quite fry.  Let’s try the Kastizo Lounge Gastro Cafe.  Four weeks ago Sergio said ‘A quiet place with great service. All the food was fantastic. A wide selection on the menu.’  Salena said ‘A super cozy place with a really cool interior, perfect for both breakfast and cocktails in the evening.’  Julia was overwhelmed ‘We're from Vigo! And we fell in love with the waiter's skill... he was very attentive to the service. Very happy, and the toast was delicious, everything fresh and very well priced! Delighted, thank you!


Five people have reviewed


We are going to walk through town, enjoying the shops and then turning out towards the countryside. On our left is the Mausoleo del General Ramon Narvaez Narvaez - the ‘Longsword of Loja’.



Ramon was born in 1800 and entered the army at an early age and saw active service in 1822. He rose to prominence when he beat the Carlists at the Battle of Majaceite in 1836. On the back of this he became Captain-general of Old Castile - a title that suggests Zoro is about to turn up.  After lots of political stuff he became Prime Minister in 1844 and Field Marshall and Duke of Valencia soon after.   His terms in office were many and short. 3/5/1844- 11/21846, 16/3/46- 5/4/1846, 4/10/1847 - 19/10/1849, 20/10/1849-14/1/1851, 12/10/1856-15/10/1857, 16/9/1864-21/6/1865 and 10/7/1866-23/4/1868.  He also held other positions.


The Longsword [d8 damage in 1st ed D&D] died in April 1868.  On his deathbed, he was asked to forgive his enemies. His answer would become infamous, as he stated "I don't need to forgive my enemies — I have had them all shot."


The mausoleum has five reviews - which seems to be the ultimate zing! Less reviews than when he was Prime Minister.   Tomas gave the top, four stars. ‘General Narváez, a well-known politician and military man born in Loja who played an important role in the government and politics of the mid-19th century, adhering to the Moderate Party, rests here.’   Jose gave two. ‘A mausoleum that is always closed can be seen from the outside.’



So we end the day and and look forward to Palm Sunday, tomorrow.











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