VINTAGE ART IN ALBAICIN, GRANADA
One evening in October, we were strolling down a narrow-medieval street in the Albaicin district of Granada, Spain, when we happened to notice that the lights were still on in a small art shop. As we entered, Al Aire Art (Plaza Aliatar, 16), we noticed beautiful intricate honeycomb tiles that reminded us of the artwork we had seen earlier that day at the Moorish palace of Alhambra. We were greeted by the artist that made them, and he cordially invited us into his small workshop.
He described in detail the special techniques used to produce the tiles that are similar to those used by Hispanic Muslim artists when designing the Alhambra in the 13th century. They are made in geometric shapes known as honeycomb work with intricate detailing. The fascinating old process included special molds, high-quality plaster, an egg tempering, hand-mixed paints, and other special tools.
The beautiful pieces of art are only sold in that little store on the hill in Albaicin—one of my regrets is that I did not purchase one (or maybe two) that evening. Perhaps, I was worrying a little bit too much about “traveling light.”
The Albaicin (Albayzin in Moorish) with its cobblestone streets, Moorish-style houses, and vistas is the oldest district of Granada. Located directly across from it, on another hill, sits the famous Alhambra. Both places have been chosen as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The young man that we spoke to said that he moved to Albaicin about six years ago, and he stays because there is something magical about it. I will continue to remember this quiet place, high on a hill above Granada, as magical too.
(Writing about travel when you can't travel and worst of all when people are suffering all over the world caused me to hesitate about making this post. However, I believe that we still need to make the best of every day and as long as remembering and sharing the good times makes the day a little easier, I will continue to write.)
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