Andalusia 2020

Tuesday10November

After an hour of driving, we are approaching in this early afternoon the final stage of our Andalusian journey! It is the city of Alcalá la Real whose old fortified city proudly exposes itself several kilometers before our arrival.  

Fortaleza de la Mota (Mota fortress) is the name given to the ancient city.

We thus cross the gate of the old city having taken care beforehand to privatize the entire site just for us...    

Down below, the city of Alcalá la Real is much older than the fortress which only saw the light of day in the 13th century.

At the beginning around the 8th century, the mound which dominates the city by 100 meters, was only occupied by a watchtower to monitor the surroundings. Over the years and centuries, the mound saw itself expand with a castle and an abbey, then a real small medieval city.

The viewpoint is perfect on the modern city, while only the foundations of the ancient city emerge amidst the remains of jars.

The old abbey was close to the houses whose walls cleared by archaeological excavations can be clearly distinguished.

The view of the sierra is superb especially in these autumn colors.

The wine cellar and its large jars.

Excavations and restorations are still ongoing.

The abbey church Santa Maria La Mayor from the 16th century.

Another cellar to store jars of wine.

The interior of the abbey where the foundations were uncovered by excavations.

A model of the medieval city at its peak.

And... It's already the end! After barely three weeks of touring around Andalusia in the midst of the Covid crisis, we leave with lots of memories in mind despite the proximity of the destination! Exoticism was less present than usual but we do not doubt that the doors of the planet will reopen soon!