Our splinter group headed up to the Basilica.
Another place steeped in history. What a crass statement – like saying “Welcome to our historic market town“. Everywhere has history, just we care to invest more time in judgements about what is interesting.
The Knights Templar thought enough about this place to create a castle or two. Building on that already there from previous Muslim dwellings. Crusade country. A delve into the Knights (a papal army) 200 year history (religion, land grabs, money, ambition, deals) and the Crusades (Muslims vs Christians, Jerusalem) and you might be mistaken for thinking you’re watching a replay on our daily news.
No stitches were dropped on the tour of the Emroidery Museum. Which turned out to be a fascinating insight into the [continuing] May wine horse race https://youtu.be/v9XCSy9sOeg?si=dq0qscU7bVxQvSbt Now UNESCO listed. The horses wear 14 piece embroidery sets. Then men and horse run up hill. Fastest wins. It doesn’t say if the first horse shits or pees, to make it slippy, always wins. Maybe the way my mind works.
They are running up to the Basilica. Which hosts a [genuine no less, verified we’re told] splinter of the original JC cross. Embedded in another cross inside something else. All very sacred, making this the 5th most important Christian site in Europe. According to whom is not clear. People look at me without understanding when I say it was probably just a skelf.
Tommorow we head to Granada for the next 3 days. Should be dry.
Travelling reflections 