Off-season Andalusia
With wonderful land borders between oceans, continents and cultures, Andalusia is the mysterious and hypnotic coastal region of southern Spain.
This name come from an Arabic term “Vandalusia”, meaning the Land of the Vandals. It describes the area where Spain met with centuries of medieval Muslim rule. Andalusia was a military meeting place where southern Europe confronted northern Africa – the clash of pope and caliphate, the convergence of holy war and jihad, inquisition and subjugation.
Andalusia is the land of sun, cherry, flamenco, fiestas and gypsy songs, land of Carmen and Don Giovanni, land of bullfighting and contrasting landscapes – from mountains with olive groves to coastlines with stunning beaches, land of stylish cities and enchanting “pueblos blancos”.
These pictures were taken in early December before the last of the sunrays hid for the winter and when the crowds of tourists were gone. Andalusia is quite a different place during its off-season than its usual frenetic buzz, barren of tourists and saturated with harsh light. The country appears calm and mystical, uncluttered by its summer seasonal wash, as it prepares itself for next year’s impending human tide. The sun seems to hang a little lower, splashing the landscape with rich oranges, sparkling blues and clean whites.
Off-season Andalusia
With wonderful land borders between oceans, continents and cultures, Andalusia is the mysterious and hypnotic coastal region of southern Spain.
This name come from an Arabic term “Vandalusia”, meaning the Land of the Vandals. It describes the area where Spain met with centuries of medieval Muslim rule. Andalusia was a military meeting place where southern Europe confronted northern Africa – the clash of pope and caliphate, the convergence of holy war and jihad, inquisition and subjugation.
Andalusia is the land of sun, cherry, flamenco, fiestas and gypsy songs, land of Carmen and Don Giovanni, land of bullfighting and contrasting landscapes – from mountains with olive groves to coastlines with stunning beaches, land of stylish cities and enchanting “pueblos blancos”.
These pictures were taken in early December before the last of the sunrays hid for the winter and when the crowds of tourists were gone. Andalusia is quite a different place during its off-season than its usual frenetic buzz, barren of tourists and saturated with harsh light. The country appears calm and mystical, uncluttered by its summer seasonal wash, as it prepares itself for next year’s impending human tide. The sun seems to hang a little lower, splashing the landscape with rich oranges, sparkling blues and clean whites.
