History of Andalusia stretches all the way back to second millennium BC. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, Byzantines, Arabs, Jews, and Moors, have all left their mark on the culture of the region. Cordoba, Granada, and present capital Seville, bear testimony to this varied and rich heritage. Especially notable are the architectural masterpieces of Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita in Cordoba, Reales Alcazares in Seville, Medina Azahara, Torre Del Oro, and Giralda, among many others.

The large number of museums, churches, and palaces, situated in the region are full of priceless sculptures, jewelry, and paintings, from ancient times to modern. It is probably this heritage that first inspired Andalusian natives like Velazquez, Murillo, and Picasso, to enrich it further.

After the Spanish re-conquest of the region in 1492, Andalusia played a major part in European and American history. It is from one of its ports that Columbus set out to discover the New World. Modern Spanish dialects in America are derived from Andalusian dialect.

Andalusians hold many colorful festivals throughout the year; spring festivals, harvest festivals, and feast days. Pilgrimages, processions, bullfights, songs, and dances, which accompany many of these festivals, provide insight into region’s religious and cultural roots.

Andalusian cuisine complemented by highly regarded wines from the region, is unique and can include variety of dishes; seafood, soups made of legume and other vegetables, stewed game meat, seasoned and aged pork, will be prominent among them.

Andalusian landscapes range from volcanic, forested, or snowy, hills, valleys, and mountains, to deserts, to tropical beaches. Correspondingly ecological diversity is also wide-ranging.

Because of Andalusia’s geographical diversity visitors can access recreational options ranging from sailing, surfing, diving, water skiing, to mountaineering, hand gliding, parasailing, and ballooning. Equestrian sports are also popular.

While proud of its historical glory and natural beauty Andalusia is a modern society equipped will latest technology and world class infrastructure. Modern cosmopolitan and wired traveler will feel right at home.

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Tags: Andalusia, Culture, Festivals, Nature

This entry was posted on Friday, April 18th, 2008 at 4:55 am and is filed under Andalusia, Culture, Nature, Spain, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.