*NOTE: It turns out that's not true. The original name of the town in Arabic was al-Casr, meaning fortress or castle. Don't believe everything you read!
In the 12th century the Moors built a castle, remnants of which still stand. In 1485, the town surrendered to Catholic forces. Even with modern roads, Casares still feels unapproachable. It was one of only two towns (the other was Cádiz) that Napoleon's forces could never take. What a prize.
Today we have some scenic views with more of the town, including the nail-biting drive down on another mountain road, still to come.
I bought a new camera today. My old one didn't like being dropped (three times in the past 6 months) on the pavement. After the second drop, I noticed a light leak. The third drop (in Casares) was the charm. Light leaks, blur, and difficult to focus in general. San Geraldo thinks I do it on purpose (that's how I got my first Spanish camera; this is my third). I'm shocked.
FUNDADO POR Y llamado así por Julio César*, Casares (el nombre evolucionó cuando los romanos se fueron) es uno de los Pueblos Blancos más bellos. Está a una hora de nosotros en su mayoría al oeste y fuimos allí el viernes con Judy. César saludó las aguas sulfúricas de la primavera para curar sus quejas sobre el hígado.
*NOTE: Resulta que eso no es verdad. El nombre original de la ciudad en árabe era al-Casr, que significa fortaleza o castillo. ¡No creas todo lo que lees!
*NOTE: Resulta que eso no es verdad. El nombre original de la ciudad en árabe era al-Casr, que significa fortaleza o castillo. ¡No creas todo lo que lees!
En el siglo XII, los moros construyeron un castillo, del cual aún quedan restos. En 1485, la ciudad se rindió a las fuerzas católicas. Incluso con las carreteras modernas, Casares todavía se siente inaccesible. Era una de las dos únicas ciudades (la otra era Cádiz) que las fuerzas de Napoleón nunca podrían tomar. Qué premio!
Hoy tenemos algunas vistas panorámicas con más de la ciudad, incluida la ruta para morderse las uñas en otra carretera de montaña, aún por llegar.
Compré una cámara nueva hoy. A mi viejo no le gustaba que lo dejaran caer (tres veces en los últimos 6 meses) en el pavimento. Después de la segunda caída, noté una fuga de luz. La tercera (en Casares) fue el encanto. Fugas de luz, borrosas, y difíciles de enfocar en general. San Geraldo cree que lo hago a propósito (así es como obtuve mi primera cámara española, esta es la tercera). Estoy sorprendido.
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| THE HIGH ROAD AT LEFT IS THE ONE WE TOOK HOME. EL CAMINO ALTO A LA IZQUIERDA ES EL QUE CONDUCIMOS A CASA. |
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| THE 18TH-CENTURY CHURCH AND THE 12TH-CENTURY CASTLE (WITH MY DAMAGED CAMERA). LA IGLESIA DEL SIGLO XVIII Y EL CASTILLO DEL SIGLO XII. |
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| A VIEW FROM THE CASTLE. UNA VISTA DEL CASTILLO. |
Whatever camera you took these pictures with works fine.
ReplyDeleteKirk:
DeleteThanks. I was able to crop out the really offending areas in some photos. And Photoshop helped me correct some of the focus issues. But if you look closely (or if you're critical), you can see cloudy areas scattered about. It would have made me nuts if I kept using it.
such scenery!
ReplyDeleteanne marie:
DeleteSpectacular. And an hour from home.
Make room for baby.....I'm moving in with you two and seeing these beautiful day trips! That is stunning. I love all the white houses on the hillside. Reminds me a little of Lake Como in Italy
ReplyDeletemistress maddie:
DeleteWill you bring the house boys? I don't think we could keep up with (all) your demands.
Dear....their like American Express...I never leave home without one.
DeleteMuch more cheery with the red roof tiles than with the slate ones in other town you visited recently. The views are staggering.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteThat's the typical look of a pueblo blanco (although this is a truly stunning pueblo blanco).
great photos
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteThanks. I did what I could with the defective camera.
I'd hate to walk around that area -- SO STEEP!
ReplyDeleteDebra:
DeleteCan you imagine living there and just "running out for a container of milk"?!? I PROUDLY jogged up to the top of the hill to see the Arab castle. Not ALL the way up, but the steepest part. It felt SO good!
Spectacular landscape!! Must feel different driving inland away from the ocean.
ReplyDeleteHm-m-m-m-m....thanks for the idea re getting a new camera, Mitchell!!
Jim:
DeleteAnd the sea is just 20 minutes away. A lot faster as the vulture flies.
The White against the green is stunning
ReplyDeleteJohn:
DeleteThe pueblos blancos are beautiful. We have 2 within 10 minutes of us.
I will like to hear the story of your camera, what you chose and why you chose it. Perhaps a future blog post?
ReplyDeleteI bought a Panasonic Lumix a while ago which can be taken in the water plus it is shock proof and all those things. :)
Snoskred:
DeleteMy last 4 cameras have been Canon PowerShots. I keep upgrading to greater optical zoom. They're not super expensive and they're compact, which is especially important to me. It needs to fit in a small zipper pocket in my bag since I always have it with me. I had 10x zoom, then 18x. My last was a Canon SX720 HS with 40x zoom. This one is a SX730 HS with the same 40x zoom. I didn't need the newer model but it was on sale for about 20 euros less than last year's and I don't mind having the addition of a tilt screen.
Now if you ever found a friend named Brutus who took a trip there
ReplyDeleteyou could say "Et tu Brute?"
Adam:
DeleteOh, I would feel sorry for any guy named Brutus! Et tu?
Ave Caesar sounds not a good as Hail Caesar - it almost sounds like a prayer.
ReplyDelete