We began walking beside a small gurgling stream before dawn - delightful.
The plan had been to meet with some of our crew for breakfast at the first village, 3kms into the stage. When we arrived, the cafe wasn’t opening for another half an hour. Manuel and Carlos decided they wouldn’t wait, so in case we didn’t see each other again in Granada, we took a farewell selfie!
We faced a steep climb early on, but once we’d made it to the top there was a beautiful straight stretch. It was like being on top of the world!
Granada came into view but it felt like a very rural entry into the city and the path remained peaceable throughout.
No sooner had we entered Granada, than we caught our first glimpse of the famous Alhambra.
We are staying at the Monasterio de San Bernardo which is literally in the shadow of the Alhambra - we look up to the Moorish palace from the terrace of the monastery. This is a still functioning Cistercian monastic community that welcomes pilgrims for a ‘donativo’ - a donation - and is right in the heart of the city. Here we are being admitted through one of the giant doors!
We had a magnificent lunch at a place recommended by an amiga (Alba) from the Camino Primitivo, shared with Manuel and Carlos (who we did see again!). Afterwards Manuel, who knows the city well, took us on a walk through the centre.
Everywhere you look in the old city there is beauty - the narrow cobbled lanes, the gates, the shops…
The plan had been to meet with some of our crew for breakfast at the first village, 3kms into the stage. When we arrived, the cafe wasn’t opening for another half an hour. Manuel and Carlos decided they wouldn’t wait, so in case we didn’t see each other again in Granada, we took a farewell selfie!
We faced a steep climb early on, but once we’d made it to the top there was a beautiful straight stretch. It was like being on top of the world!
Granada came into view but it felt like a very rural entry into the city and the path remained peaceable throughout.
No sooner had we entered Granada, than we caught our first glimpse of the famous Alhambra.
We are staying at the Monasterio de San Bernardo which is literally in the shadow of the Alhambra - we look up to the Moorish palace from the terrace of the monastery. This is a still functioning Cistercian monastic community that welcomes pilgrims for a ‘donativo’ - a donation - and is right in the heart of the city. Here we are being admitted through one of the giant doors!
We had a magnificent lunch at a place recommended by an amiga (Alba) from the Camino Primitivo, shared with Manuel and Carlos (who we did see again!). Afterwards Manuel, who knows the city well, took us on a walk through the centre.
The cathedral is enormous.
This is the interior of a side chapel - not even the main nave!!
Everywhere you look in the old city there is beauty - the narrow cobbled lanes, the gates, the shops…
We’re looking forward to a couple of rest days and to having time to explore this amazing city.
Signing off from our cloister
Sarah and Neil
Oleee!! I am so happy to see you already in Granada doing so well and enjoying every step. See you soon!
ReplyDeleteAlba
You made it!!! And in good shape. So glad you’ll have a couple of days to rest and explore this amazing city. Kx
ReplyDeleteFactoid of the day - Granada ceased being ruled by the Nasrid Moorish dynasty in the year that Columbus reached America. Charles
ReplyDeleteThe way you have shared your walk into Granada is like being there (almost). Thinking the path you took was likely one that was taken (in the opposite direction) by Moors during the final stages of the Reconquest - inspiring to see how the culture continues and blends, peacefully? these days compared with earlier times, Thanks - you've made the big skies and open landscapes, the high plateaus (you 'high plains drifters') and the white villages in the valleys come alive.
ReplyDelete. . . by the way, you two look like you've been caught on CCTV trying to break into that Cistercian monastery. You didn't need to get bailed out and pay (donativo) using Manuel's credit card, I hope.
ReplyDeleteWe were lucky this time, it was just a passing peregrino with an iPhone!!
DeleteGranada is beautiful through your eyes. Thank you, KAS
ReplyDelete