The slow burn cathedral and a Michelangelo homage

  We are off to a cathedral - the very one that muscled out Baza.  Probably time to bury the hatchet.  It is all you could hope from a Spanish Cathedral that Gaudi hadn’t got his hands on. It is big and boxy and with lots of curly and columny bits added to it - with spikes and the occasional window.



The site had a Visigoth Church on it. Then the place got turned into a Mosque. In 1489 the Armies of Ferdinand and Isabella turned up and Pope Innocent V

III turned the church into a cathedral.  Seventy years later Diego de Silow was given the job of designing a new cathedral and so began. It stopped in 1574 - when they ran out of money - but began again twenty years later.  They were still working on it in 1731 - so, not a rush job.  They have a replica of Michelangelo's Pieta.

Twelve hours ago Manu reckoned ‘A beautiful cathedral, although somewhat neglected in some areas and poorly maintained on the exterior.’   Alan liked it ‘Surprising.  Interesting cathedral with a mix of Roman and Baroque architecture. The bell tower is worth the hike, but be sure you are up for it: narrow stairs low ceilings.  Be prepared.’.    Eren did not ‘Outrageous! €7 entry just for the cathedral – everything else like the tower and the entire surrounding area was closed. No info at the entrance, no warning when buying the ticket, just take the money and that's it. To me, this is nothing but a tourist scam. I genuinely feel ripped off.’  I would tell you how much English cathedrals cost but the amount was hidden behind paywalls so you will have to go yourself.


Round the corner is the Roman theatre. https://teatroromanodeguadix.com/ It is lots of lumps of rocks and cut stones. You know the sort of thing.  Use your imagination.  Damian sums it up nicely  ‘Not a lot left to see but considering they only found it again in 2007 it's not in bad condition. Nice signage in english and spanish. Good to see and wonder back in time. Big parking area for motorhomes and all other nearby for free. Worth a stop and the church is amazing too.’

We are heading out of town through the Barriada Federico Garcia Lorca.  Pizzeria El Horno is en route.  https://www.pizzeriaelhornoenguadix.es/   Olga said ‘The hamburgers are delicious, my favorite is the American one, and the prices are very good. The girl who served me was very friendly.’  Antje gave three stars, which is a bit harsh in these modern times.  ‘Good food - We only had one Pizza though so unable to judge other food options but it looked good 9n other peoples orders too. Better suited for take away. Dining in has a sort of cantene atmosphere.’


Soon we are on the edge of town and by the hospital. I have noticed people tell to be a bit low star on hospitals.  Maybe people don’t feel the need to write when they are happy.  Well, two weeks ago Almudena did. ‘I would like to thank gynecologist Mónica Fernández Castañeda, midwife Ana Cristina Durán, and nursing assistant M° Ángeles Recover for their care and the speed with which they responded to the problem that required me to go to the emergency room. Thank you for your professionalism, kindness, treatment, and understanding.’  Ana was not happy a month ago.  ‘Their organization is a complete disaster; they send you from one place to another without explaining anything. They see people ahead of you with later appointments. For example, in radiology, I had an appointment, and another girl without one was seen an hour after me. It's shameful; they're hardly professional.’


We end out of town and heading to Granada.




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