Capilla Real - The Royal Chapel

Built in the early 1500's, this is the final resting place of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile. These are important historical figures for it was under them that the Spanish people were united under one monarchy; Spain was linked to Portugal, England, Netherlands, Burgundy, and Austria through their children's marriages, and with the discovery of America the basis for the world-wide expansion of Spanish culture was laid. (For the record, as I am sure you have figured out, I copy shamelessly from brochures, guidebooks and anything else I find useful. Sometimes that means I get taken in by local hype as in my comment about Toledo's various religious groups coexisting peacefully. I have it on good authority that the reality is much more complicated.)

 

 

Religion, government and sometimes business seem quite connected. Attached to the chapel, and the first building you enter, is the Exchange built as a space designed for commerce. It houses a painting of the Surrender of Granada.

 

 

 

 

The Main Grille in the chapel is a work of art created between 1518-1520, with the royal coat of arms prominently displayed along with the 12 apostles and various scenes from the life and death of Christ.

 

 

 

 

The Royal Tombs are sculpted in marble and under the tombs the crypt contains the lead coffins of the monarchs. There are also amazing paintings - again a mini-Prado - most from the 15th century.

 

 

A fitting end to our stay in Granada was a final stop at our favorite ice cream place where we captured this wonderful scene where one of the servers decided to step out in the alley and give a taste to the dog.

We enjoyed moussaka (as takeout by bringing a bowl from our place) from Cafe 4 Gatos as we had our last meal on the terrace, with a flutist playing in the small square below, the water gurgling in the fountain, the birds singing, and the sun setting on La Alhambra - life is good.

 

 

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