The Land of Don Quixote, Where the Monks Walked: A Journey of Religious Pilgrimage in Spain Round-the-World Tour List of Spain

The Land of Don Quixote: A Monk's Journey through Spain's Religious Pilgrimage Monk Takahiro Ueda's Circumnavigation of the World in Spain

May 11. Fly from Rome to Madrid, Spain.

As we entered the sky over Spain, we felt a different atmosphere from the European lands we had seen so far, perhaps the olive groves.

Over the next 20 days, we will be touring Spain's cities.

The number one reason why I devote so much time to Spain is that it is a place of tremendous religious interest.

This is because Spain was a predominantly Muslim country until a certain point in the Middle Ages.

Europe is Christianity.

I had this image in my mind, but when I looked into it, I found that here in Spain, the history is quite different from such an image.

A place where Islamic culture flourished.

That was the other face of Spain.

Islamic culture was so ingrained here in Spain that it was the most prosperous in the world.

Andalusia may conjure up images of sunflowers and flamenco, but it is in this region that Islamic culture flourished the most.

The Alhambra Palace and the Mezquita of Cordoba are representative of this prosperity.

And Christians and Jews lived there as well.

There was a history of people of different religions coexisting there.

Although the era of coexistence came to an end at some point, the country's religious practices have spun a unique history despite its location in Europe.

So I became very interested in this country.

And when it comes to Spain, the best place to start is Don Quijote!

I love Don Quixote and had it on my kindle and read it throughout this trip.

Don Quixote is an itinerant knight. He is a knight who travels for justice and ideals in the world.

Such a sacred place for Don Quixote is here in Spain, in a small country town called Campo de Cryptana. I was also able to visit the hill of windmills, famous for Don Quixote.

I will never forget the emotion I felt at that time.

Spain is home to many world-famous historical buildings such as the Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra Palace. And not only that, there is an abundance of spectacular natural scenery, so there is no shortage of things to see and do. It is one of the best countries to travel to.

In the Spain section, we will spend 20 days carefully touring places associated with the religion. Let's get started with the articles.

Entering Spain and enjoying the Prado Museum, the world's favorite museum Spain Part 1

I entered Madrid, Spain on May 11 and immediately headed for the Prado Museum, one of the world's finest art museums.

This is where I made an interesting discovery. This is where my experience at the Vatican Museums, where I had been just a few days before, came to life.

Hieronymus Bosch, The Garden of Pleasures: Mankind and the Origins of Good and Evil, Spain (2)

The Museo del Prado houses a work by Hieronymus Bosch titled "The Garden of Pleasures.

Hieronymus Bosch (c. 1450-1516) was born in the Netherlands and became famous for his unique and mysterious style of painting.

He lived at about the same time as Leonardo da Vinci, and can be said to be a painter who established a unique position even in the heyday of the Renaissance.

Above all, it was his "Garden of Pleasures" that first inspired me to visit Spain.

The Garden of Pleasures is generally understood to be a painting depicting heaven and hell.

The left side of the painting is the Garden of Eden, or the age of innocence before humans ate the fruit of wisdom.

And it has been interpreted that the center represents paradise on earth and the right side represents hell.

This painting reflects the ethos of the Christian world in the early 1500s when it was painted.

This article will use this picture as a reference point for considering "religion" and what "human good and evil" means.

Explaining Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Pleasures! Why Boss painted strange hells and paintings in Spain (3)

We will continue to look at the Boss's "Garden of Pleasures" in this article.

The painting is famous as Europe's version of hell, but its bizarre worldview is so mysterious that its mysteries remain unexplained to this day.

In this article, we will explore the secrets of such a mysterious worldview.

It was very interesting to consider the differences between European hell pictures and those handed down in Japanese Buddhism.

Recommended Day Trips from Madrid: Toledo and Rediscovering Knowledge Spain Part 4

Located about an hour's drive from Madrid, Toledo has been praised as a "city where time stands still" and is so beautiful that people say, "If you only have one day in Spain, don't hesitate to see Toledo.

This is the view of Toledo from the observation deck.

The city of Toledo stretches across the flow of the Tajo River in front of you.

It is as if we have gone back in time.

The medieval townscape has been preserved exactly as it was in the Middle Ages.

This place is famous as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain.

In this article, I will discuss the city of Toledo and the Islamic culture that contributed to the development of Spanish culture.

What is the Reconquista - the battle between Christians and Muslims that is an integral part of Spain's history Spain Part 5

In one previous article, I told you how the Christian conquest of Toledo led to the discovery of once-lost Greek philosophy and brought about an awakening from the Dark Ages.

The fact that Spain was once ruled by Muslims is an essential element of Spanish culture.

In this article I will discuss the history of Christians and Muslims in Spain.

The history of Spain is not well known to Japanese people. You will surely discover something unexpected.

From Madrid to Cuenca, a World Heritage City by train - Houses suspended in midair and their spectacular views Spain Part 6

After our stay in Madrid, our next stop was the city of Cuenca.

Cuenca is located east of Madrid in the La Mancha region, famous for Don Quixote, and is famous for its "Houses in the Air," houses that jut out of the cliffs.

And its unique landscape has been registered as a World Heritage Site and called "the enchanted city.

This article introduces the city of Cuenca, the famous "House of Suspension," and some of Cuenca's more maniacal and spectacular spots that are not usually introduced in guidebooks.

Must-see! Cuenca and Itoyoji at night - Enjoying the holy land of Wednesday's visit to Spain (7)

This article is a must for Wednesday fans.

For those who don't, you may be wondering, "Why is it in the title?" I am sure you are wondering "Why is it in the title?

However, for fans of Wednesday, the city of Cuenca is a sacred place among sacred places.

Just hearing the word "Cuenca" makes my cheeks loose, as if I were Pavlov's dog, and I have a special feeling for this place.

This article is a bold installment of such a night view of Cuenca and a religious study of "Wednesdays".

This article should be read not only by fans but also by those who are not.

Walking around Campo de Cryptana, the town of windmills - the setting of Don Quixote, Spain (8)

The next day after an overnight stay in Cuenca, I headed to my next destination, Campo de Cryptana.

Campo de Cryptana is a town in the La Mancha region, which, like Cuenca, is famous for Don Quixote.

The town's most famous feature is the view of the windmills perched atop the hill.

And it is said that the windmill was the model for the famous scene in which Don Quixote mistook it for a giant and rushed toward it.

Now it's time to go to Windmill Hill.

You will proceed between houses with white walls and blue lines.

The scenery is much more magnificent than I had imagined.

The gently sloping hills seem to be covered with a carpet of green.

Beyond the windmills, nothing obstructs the view.

The land of La Mancha seems to spread out forever.

More than the windmills themselves, I was amazed by the view of the La Mancha hills that spread out here.

This article introduces such a Don Quixote sanctuary, Windmill Hill.

Must-see! The Windmills at Sunset in Campo de Cryptana, Spain (9)

After enjoying the magnificent view at Windmill Hill, we returned to the inn and waited.

The reason I chose to stay in Campo de Cryptana this time was to see the windmills illuminated by the setting sun.

The windmill hill of Campo de Cryptana is not just famous for its sunsets....

But even before I began my trip, I was eager to see the view of the pure white windmills turning bright red in the setting sun.

The windmill hill near sunset was unspeakably beautiful.

The setting sun sinking into the horizon and the windmills dyed bright red.

The view is so spectacular. I will never forget this view. It was the most memorable view of my Spain excursion.

This is a landscape that is not often featured in guidebooks or in the media. We hope you will take a look at this article.

Walking in El Toboso Village, the place associated with Don Quixote, Spain Part 10

After enjoying the windmills of Campo de Cryptana, we will head to the village of El Toboso, a place associated with Don Quixote.

Charter a cab to the village of El Toboso.

This village was the home of Dulcinea, Don Quixote's Princess of Ideas, and its highlights are the places called Museo Dulcinea and Museo Cervández.

It is a maniacal place that you would hardly come here unless you have a passion for Don Quijote, but as a Don Quijote fan, I couldn't resist.

This article introduces the village of El Toboso.

A brief synopsis of the masterpiece "Don Quixote" and its windmill adventures in Spain (11)

Don Quixote" is a novel written by the Spanish author Cervantes (1547-1616), who started out in the region of La Mancha.

However, even if you have heard of "Don Quixote," it is surprisingly unknown what kind of novel it actually is and what makes it so great.

Although the episode of Don Quixote charging into the windmill in the film is well-known, it becomes even more of a mystery when one asks what the reason for the event was.

Don Quixote" may be a well-known, but actually enigmatic, novel.

So, in this article, I will introduce the synopsis of "Don Quixote" and the windmill episode, albeit briefly.

Why "Don Quixote" is a Masterpiece - Explanation of Points to Enjoy "Don Quixote" More ⑫

My favorite book, "Don Quixote.

During my travels, I would read "Don Quixote" whenever I had free time.

Don Quixote embarked on an itinerant journey to realize his ideals.

Its adventures have been timeless and are still loved by people around the world.

This article briefly explains why Don Quijote is loved so much by people around the world.

Enjoy the spectacular scenery! Cuenca and Campo de Cryptana in video Spain ⑬

*This article is excerpted verbatim from the article for this article only.

Now, unlike my previous blog posts, I would like to introduce a video I shot with the functions of the digital camera I brought with me.

I am sure you must have wondered why we suddenly decided to introduce the video now, though.

I am ashamed to say that I did not know that my camera had a video recording function, and it was only in Spain that I finally realized this and started taking pictures.

I bought a digital camera in a hurry to coincide with my round-the-world trip.

If you say, "Read the manual," you are exactly right. I have no words to reply.

I underestimated that I would learn while I was shooting, and it turned out to be a mistake.

The idea of shooting video had never occurred to me, as I was only thinking of taking photos for my blog.

It was a very regrettable blunder.

If we had known about the video, we would have been able to leave behind some of the most powerful images in Africa and Israel.

I cannot regret it enough, but in a sense, this trip also made me want to express myself with words because of the lack of images.

I wonder if I would have tried so hard to write something using words if I had the video.

This is what the view in Africa looked like. Please take a look."

I am still lonely in terms of "writing things" in this way.

Yeah. This was the right thing to do. No video was needed.

So, although the video will continue to be treated only as an add-on, I would like to introduce the scenery of Cuenca and Campo de Cryptana to everyone here.

Arrival in Santiago de Compostela, the Holy City of the Catholic Pilgrimage to Spain ⑭

After visiting the La Mancha region, fly from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela.

Santiago de Compostela is a city near the Atlantic coast in northwestern Spain.

It is a famous Catholic pilgrimage site and is known as a venerable holy place, one of the three Catholic holy places, including the Vatican and Jerusalem.

This article will introduce you to this vibrant city as a place of pilgrimage.

Considering the secrets of the Holy Land in Santiago de Compostela.　Spain, Part 15 (15)

In one of our previous articles, we told you that Santiago de Compostela became a holy place because of the discovery of the remains of St. James in the early 9th century.

And here in Santiago de Compostela is a holy place of great importance as one of the three major Catholic pilgrimage sites along with Jerusalem and the Vatican.

In this article I will talk about this holy city of Santiago de Compostela and the power of the sacred in terms of the power of the sacred.

Power of the Sacred.

It is a word that seems to be somewhat understandable but not quite understandable.

You have probably heard the term "power spot" often.

It is a place where you can go and feel something gratifying and empowering, a place where you feel like you have been purified.

I hope you will consider the term "sacred" in this article to mean the source of that power spot.

I will discuss in this article what "sacred" means in the first place.

Pilgrimage and Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela - Considering the Pilgrimage in Spain⑯.

In my last article, I talked about Santiago de Compostela from the angle of the power of the sacred.

The power of the sacred actually acts on the human body and mind and has moved history.

And even today, many people continue their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

This article will discuss the sacred pilgrimage by comparing Santiago de Compostela and the Shikoku pilgrimage.

The 88 pilgrimage sites in Shikoku attract many people in Japan. I am sure that there are many people who are interested in the pilgrimage. We would be happy if you would read this book.

Spectacular Views! The Atlantic Ocean and the Ends of the Earth - A Full-Day Tour to Cape Finisterre, Spain ⑰

May 19.

On this day, we booked a one-day tour from Santiago de Compostela to Cape Finisterre with a local tour company.

Finisterre is the end of the European continent.

The name "Finisterre" is also derived from the Latin word finisterrae, meaning "end of the land.

From its promontory, you can see the entire Atlantic Ocean.

And this is another final stop on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

Its origins are not clear, but pilgrims who have completed their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela come here to the cape for the last time.

Well, the tour was to stop at Cape Finisterre, the destination, as well as a number of other scenic spots.

Even before reaching Finisterre, we will stop at a number of scenic spots.

Cape Finisterre is almost a cliff.

In Japan, it would be off-limits, but here, people were going down the cliffs as usual, spending their time as they pleased.

After coming this far, I am gradually becoming accustomed to the foreign style. I am no longer surprised by "This is dangerous! I am no longer surprised. On the contrary, I am even beginning to think that Japan is too overprotective.

But I am afraid to go any further.

This is nothing but a cliff. If you take even the slightest wrong step, you will be thrown headlong over the edge.

I was stunned at how people could be so unconcerned.

The Sagrada Familia! The Amazing Architectural Designs of the Genius Gaudi in Spain⑱.

After four days in Santiago de Compostela, the next stop is Barcelona.

The Sagrada Familia is the most famous landmark in Barcelona.

This huge church is too famous, but when you actually see it in person, it is even more impressive than you can imagine.

Above all, I was struck by the beauty of the space inside rather than the exterior.

The Sagrada Familia is often mentioned for its exterior, but the beauty, coziness, warmth, and majesty inside were truly amazing.

Gaudi, the architectural genius, was a man to be feared. This article also introduces the secret of the beauty of Sagrada Familia.

Sacred Sites in Catalonia - Montserrat Monastery

Montserrat, the holy city of Catalonia, is a famous day trip destination from Barcelona.

It is a venerable monastery nestled in a unique landscape of rocky mountains, where many monks still live.

I decided to stay here for three nights to get a better feel for the atmosphere of the monastery, instead of taking a day trip.

During the day, Montserrat is crowded with tourists, but in the morning, evening, and night, you can enjoy the quiet atmosphere without people. We would like to introduce you to a different kind of stay than a day tour.

Pilgrimage to Montserrat and Santa Cova - the mountains that inspired Gaudi⑳⑳

The most cherished presence at Montserrat Abbey.

That is the black statue of Mary.

Today, it is enshrined in the cathedral and many visitors line up to see it every day.

The Black Maria was discovered in a cave called Santa Cova.

A chapel is now built in the cave, which is cherished as a place of meditation to quiet the mind and offer prayers.

Normally, a cable car right next to the monastery takes you close to that cave, but unfortunately, as of May 2019, it was out of service.

I therefore decided to walk there from the monastery.

The road trip to Montserrat with its spectacular views was physically demanding, but I felt grateful.

The unique building, which seems to be wedged into the rock, is a hermitage built in the Cave of the Discovery of Black Mary.

This article introduces such a pilgrimage to Santa Cova.

The Way of San Joan and Montserrat Encountering the Great View of Spain (21)

In one previous article, we introduced the hermitage where a black statue of Mary called Santa Cova was found, and in this article, we will introduce another highlight of Montserrat, the chapel of San Joan and a petit trekking path with a spectacular view of Montserrat.

The chapel of Saint Joan can be reached by cable car up from the Monastery of Montserrat, a 20-minute walk after getting off the cable car.

Since I had come all this way, I decided to continue onward. From this point on, the trekking became more like a trek, but I was rewarded with an astonishing view of Montserrat.

Please take a look at these images of Montserrat, which are not often seen in guidebooks or in the media.

From Montserrat to Granada in Andalusia, Spain (22)

May 24.

After leaving Montserrat, where I stayed for three nights, I next headed to Granada, the ancient capital of southern Spain.

The city is located in Andalusia, a region famous for sunflowers and flamenco.

Arriving in Granada, I stroll through the old town to the San Nicolas Observatory, where I can get the best view of the Alhambra Palace.

This article describes the first day of my trip from Montserrat to Granada. This is where the Andalusia section of the final chapter of my tour of Spain begins.

World Heritage Site Alhambra Palace and the Courtyard of the Lions - What is the origin of beauty?　Spain (23)

May 25.

The day started with a morning tour of the Alhambra Palace.

The Alhambra is one of the most representative buildings of Islamic culture, and I was eager to see it. So I made a reservation two months in advance.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the Alhambra Palace, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.

Why is this building beautiful, what is its excellence, and why do we find something "beautiful" when we see it?

This article will consider them while enjoying the beautiful Alhambra Palace.

Alhambra Palace with nighttime admission - Enjoy the palace lit up Spain (24)

The Alhambra can be enjoyed not only during the daytime but also at night when it is illuminated.

The beauty of the Alhambra illuminated in the dark is breathtaking...

And the biggest of all is the Lion's Courtyard, which impressed me even when I saw it during the day.

As soon as I entered, I immediately went to the Lion's Courtyard to enjoy the empty Lion's Courtyard and be captivated by its beauty in the silence.

A wonderful time in the stunning gardens of Generalife and the cafeteria of the Parador, Spain (25)

There is much more to see in the Alhambra besides the Alcazar and the Courtyard of the Lions.

The most representative example of this is the Generalife.

This facility is the king's detached palace in the Alhambra.

This place is also registered as a World Heritage site.

The most popular route is to visit the Nasr Palace, which has a lion courtyard, and then head directly to Henelalife.

After the visit to Generalife, we had lunch at a café in the famous Parador hotel. I spent an elegant time with unusually gregarious little birds.

Cathedral and Royal Chapel in Granada - Impact of "1492" Spain (26)

On the third day in Granada, I head to the Cathedral and Royal Chapel.

This is a very important place in the history of Spain, especially the year "1492" is a significant key word.

This article also explains "1492" and its connection to Columbus.

Discovering the Location of Wednesday's Filming at the Alhambra Palace, Spain (27)

Following Cuenca, the Wednesday crew also visited the Alhambra Palace here in Granada.

In fact, they had also visited Campo de Cryptana, the hill of windmills, which I mentioned before, but I did not tell you about it.

Just to be clear, I am not visiting various parts of Spain for the purpose of touring the filming locations of "Wednesday Night Live.

I would like to emphasize that the places I want to visit just happen to coincide with the locations.

However, it goes without saying that visiting the locations of Doubutsu is a great pleasure for me.

So I looked around for the location of the Alhambra Palace, using my memory of the images I had seen on DVD as a clue.

Sunset at Alhambra Palace and San Nicolas Observatory, Spain (28)

On my last evening in Granada, I went out to watch the sunset over the Alhambra from the Plaza de San Nicolas.

The Alhambra at sunset is famous for its spectacular view and attracts many tourists from all over the world.

Around 9:45 p.m., dusk finally peaks.

The Alhambra Palace in bright red.

I could see the redness of the skin increase little by little.

The mountains in the distance are also dyed red.

After dusk, the palace was lit up. It was very satisfying to see the Alhambra in its various forms.

This article will tell you about the spectacular view of the Alhambra from dusk to night light with the passage of time. It was a tremendous view.

The Mezquita of Cordoba, a World Heritage Site and its History - A church inside a mosque!　Spain (29)

On May 27, we traveled from Granada to Cordoba, also in Andalusia.

Cordoba had its heyday in the 10th century as the capital of the Spanish Islamic Empire and was one of the largest cities in the world, with a population of over one million people.

Cordoba is famous for the Mezquita, a mosque with a mysterious sight called the Forest of Columns.

This article also introduces the Mezquita and the Islamic culture of Cordoba, as well as the fantastic night view of the city.

World Heritage Site: Seville Cathedral and Columbus' Tomb - Also the connection with "The Brothers Karamazov" Spain (30)

Seville is the capital of Andalusia and the largest city in the region.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, it became the largest city in Spain and is still the fourth largest city in Spain.

Seville is famous for its bullfights and flamenco.

This is where our image of Spanishness comes from.

I was headed to a huge church called Seville Cathedral.

The Seville Cathedral is a cathedral whose construction began in 1402 and was completed in 1519.

It is a huge cathedral built under the slogan, "Let us build a cathedral so large that future generations will say it is insane."

Its scale is said to be the third largest in the world, following St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

This church has a lot going on, including the tomb of Columbus and a connection with Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov.

In this article, we will talk about the Seville Cathedral.

Conclusion

We spent about 20 days traveling around Spain, which is indeed the land of Don Quixote. This country was the perfect place for an itinerant journey.

The atmosphere changes completely from region to region, each with its own distinctive culture and religious sanctuaries.

The history of the coexistence of different cultures - Christianity, Islam, and Judaism - sometimes coexisting, sometimes at odds with each other, was truly fascinating.

In addition, there was a convenient tourist infrastructure, cheerful Spanish people, and delicious food suitable for Japanese people.

Spain has an extensive rail network and bus system, so you can travel as you wish.

The journey to the destination via train and bus was truly an adventure, or rather, an itinerant journey of Don Quixote, which naturally made my heart beat with excitement.

Well, it was a nice country. I enjoyed it very much.

Well, our long stay in Europe has come to an end.

The next stop is New York, USA!

The journey finally reaches its climax.

Next Article.

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