Submitted by Kailey Schissler on the 2019 summer session program in Granada, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
On Thursday, we toured the Holy Cathedral in Granada. This was the second cathedral we have seen on the program. I was very upset that we couldn’t take any pictures inside the chapel because the altar was BEAUTIFUL. I loved all the gold detailing which immediately caught my eye when we sat down. I also found it very cool how Isabella and Ferdinand were actually buried there, just like she wanted. She was not put into the mausoleum like her husband wanted. We could even see their caskets. I also found it crazy how still to this day, priests pray for the souls of Isabella and Ferdinand. I found this interesting because although they did good things, they also did horrible things, like the Inquisition. They were not saints, just a king and queen so I am surprised they are still being prayed for daily. As someone who is not very religious, I am curious about why they continue to pray for them.
I also thought the cathedral was beautiful. I was not surprised learning how long it took to construct, but I never thought about how that would mean it went through different stages of art. I once again loved the main altar, decorated with so much gold. Part of me wishes they had finished painting everything gold. Although it looked beautiful white, it would be even more breathtaking I think. Maybe a little overwhelming for the eye though. The artists who worked on it were very talented, as were the sculptors who worked on the pillars, and really everyone involved. I find it crazy how they constructed such large and beautiful buildings so long ago, before we had any technology to help like we have now.
