St. Raphael
The Archangel Raphael is Cordoba's protector, and there are images and devotional statues all over Cordoba. In the 17th century a sculpture depicting St. Raphael was put midway on the old Roman Bridge, executed by Bernabé Gómez del Río. It is still a site of devotion.
Overlooking the Roman Bridge near to its ancient gate is the "Triunfo de San Rafael Column", the most elaborate of many devotional columns and images in Cordoba commemorating the Archangel Raphael's promise to protect its inhabitants.
The column is set in a charming square with a delightful fountain.
For those of you who know me, you will know I LOVE fountains. When I first signed up for this December tour I had been saddened by the thought - although I had accepted it - that I would be visiting when flowers weren't in bloom, when trees would be bare, when fountains would be dry, empty and silent. HOW happy I was to be proved wrong!
As a point of interest, Antonio said that Raphael is still one of the most common and popular names for boys in Cordoba. He said his name, Antonio, is still one of the most common and popular for boys in Spain.
Orange trees
Throughout Cordoba and Spain there were all these wonderful orange trees, complete with their crop. Any of these public orange trees are ornamental. Antonio said that the fruit was "dreadful". He told us to trust him on that because if they weren't horrible then "there wouldn't be any oranges left on the trees".
Antonio said that every young child is told about the terrible taste of these oranges but that each and every child always, always, always has to try it him/herself.
Antonio said that eventually (and fairly soon) the oranges would be harvested and sent to the United Kingdom to be used in marmalade. Ah! I guess that's why marmalade has such a bitter flavour and is an acquired taste.
Overlooking the Roman Bridge near to its ancient gate is the "Triunfo de San Rafael Column", the most elaborate of many devotional columns and images in Cordoba commemorating the Archangel Raphael's promise to protect its inhabitants.
The column is set in a charming square with a delightful fountain.
For those of you who know me, you will know I LOVE fountains. When I first signed up for this December tour I had been saddened by the thought - although I had accepted it - that I would be visiting when flowers weren't in bloom, when trees would be bare, when fountains would be dry, empty and silent. HOW happy I was to be proved wrong!
As a point of interest, Antonio said that Raphael is still one of the most common and popular names for boys in Cordoba. He said his name, Antonio, is still one of the most common and popular for boys in Spain.
Orange trees
Throughout Cordoba and Spain there were all these wonderful orange trees, complete with their crop. Any of these public orange trees are ornamental. Antonio said that the fruit was "dreadful". He told us to trust him on that because if they weren't horrible then "there wouldn't be any oranges left on the trees".
Antonio said that every young child is told about the terrible taste of these oranges but that each and every child always, always, always has to try it him/herself.
Antonio said that eventually (and fairly soon) the oranges would be harvested and sent to the United Kingdom to be used in marmalade. Ah! I guess that's why marmalade has such a bitter flavour and is an acquired taste.