Capilla Real

One of my favorite things that I have done so far, was visit the Capilla Real and the Catedral of Granada. Both were amazing, beautiful, and amazing to see. Danyell and I learned so much. Oh, also we took a tour of the Universidad of Granada and saw an art gallery of some of the current students work. That was amazing. Not to be cheesy, but it's so wonderful that art, all forms of it, is a universal language. I think that's why I have always loved music so much. Anyways, those were all great activities. In most if these places, I was not aloud to  take photos. There were few places I could, and I sneakily took one in the Caredral because I could just not resist. 

This is just one part of the Catedral that is probably the biggest. Although, as usual no picture could do it justice. Not to mention, it had multiple rooms and so much detail everywhere, even extending to the super high ceiling. As I have noted before, I have no words to describe the grandeur. I felt very special even standing in the Caredral. It amazes me that when it was built, people spent so much time and prayer into the detailed scenes if the story of Jesus. Although people criticize the Catholics for spending money on the beauty of the cathedrals when many needy people could have the money. But, I see it as their devotion to The Lord. And for generations people like me, as well as numerous tourists, are graced with the scenes of the bible, in such an intense and beautiful way that of course they question. So, tourists alike want to know the stories and why Jesus is at the top. They want to know what the dove represents, and this eagerness could yield to another person wanting to know more about the Christian faith. In this manner, I think these beautiful, grand, and enormously detailed religious alters serve good. Not to mention, they are amazing to look at. I mean, I have never seen anything so grand, especially pertaining to the Christian faith. 

This was a beautiful organ within the church. By beautiful, I mean the word beauty isn't enough. This picture gives no indication of what it actually looks like. It can't capture how big it was, or the intricate detail. There were two like this, and it made me wonder what it would sound like to walk in that church with this amazing music filling the entire building.

The whole Catedral was so big, that I would think it similar to the Georgia dome, definitely in height. I've played in the Georgia dome, and the immensity if this Catedral totally outpasses the Georgia dome in length and height. When looking up, it is like the ceiling never ends. It is so beautiful, in it's white color, and intricate designs, all depicting various biblical stories. It's like it all brings  it up straight to heaven itself. Maybe that is the point. Also, I loved the stained glass. The stained glass in my church at home has always been my favorite, so I love seeing the sun shine through all the different colors. 

The capilla real was grand and educational in a whole new way. I never knew, until visiting this, that so much of Spain, of Granada, revels over King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel, Los Reyos Católicos. 

They are credited with the uniting of Spain. 

Most of the monument type figures, alters, etc are all centered around them. Their tombs, as well as crypts are within the Capilla Real. That was very interesting  to see. All of their old things, etc were also there. Isabel was highly regarded within the church. All of this just completely blew me away. It still baffles me how "holy" they are deemed. I just think that as much good as they did, all of the destruction is equally as disregarded. Yes, they did unite all of the areas, which is great. But, what about all of the Moors who had to pack up and leave, in not so light of a manner. 

The Capilla Real had much history and I learned so much. The arrows are a symbol of Isabel and the ox's yoke a symbol of Ferdinand. Those symbols were all over the Capilla Real, big and small. I thought that was pretty cool. Also, all of the alters had like figurines of praying Isabel and Ferdinand. It seems to me that according to the church, they were very religious and regarded most of their decisions regarding government and it's rule with the church. That was the main force uniting everyone. That's great and all, but for the people of the country that weren't Christian, who gave no trouble or adversity, we're not considered "Spanish" because of this. Being a part of Spain meant you had to be Christian, and people were even tested on it to make sure they actually converted. None of this was mentioned while learning about this history in the Capilla Real. Regardless, it was great. And being so close to such important history of the country was also super cool.