One of the school trips was to Seville to look at the Fundación Tres Culturas del Mediterráneo. The Foundation of the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean. The king of Morocco and the Junta de Andalucía in came together 1998 to create a forum based on the principles of peace, tolerance and dialog, aimed at finding common grounds for stability around the Mediterranean.
This initiative was subsequently endorsed the Peres Center for Peace, the Palestinian National Authority and other individuals and institutions in Israel committed to promote understanding and peace.
The are few organizations in the world that represent the Mediterranean cultures of Islam, Catholicism and Judaism and are trying to bring stability and progress with such dedication and openness.
The European Union is a supporter of the foundation and its aims, which are more important then ever now. But, clearly, this is an enormous task.
We all know that the lands around the Mediterranean have been a source of warfare, slaughter, slavery and ambition, with empires rising and falling over the last ten thousand years. To bring understanding or even tolerance seems an impossible dream.
One thing is certain. All these civilizations around the Mediterranean brought a common unifying theme. Art, architecture and the skillful creation of beauty in every form imaginable. The center is built in the Expo '92 grounds on La Isla de La Cartuja (Cartuja Island.) It is designed to recreate the Islamic influence evident all over Spain, but to modern standards. There is no thousand years of wear and tear here. Its all brand new.
This is the basement floor below the central fountain. The crystal stalactite hanging down over the marble bowl and the fountains (Not running on the day.) are designed to bring a sense of peace. The tiling and arches are beautiful examples of Islamic architecture at it´s best.
This initiative was subsequently endorsed the Peres Center for Peace, the Palestinian National Authority and other individuals and institutions in Israel committed to promote understanding and peace.
The are few organizations in the world that represent the Mediterranean cultures of Islam, Catholicism and Judaism and are trying to bring stability and progress with such dedication and openness.
The European Union is a supporter of the foundation and its aims, which are more important then ever now. But, clearly, this is an enormous task.
We all know that the lands around the Mediterranean have been a source of warfare, slaughter, slavery and ambition, with empires rising and falling over the last ten thousand years. To bring understanding or even tolerance seems an impossible dream.
One thing is certain. All these civilizations around the Mediterranean brought a common unifying theme. Art, architecture and the skillful creation of beauty in every form imaginable. The center is built in the Expo '92 grounds on La Isla de La Cartuja (Cartuja Island.) It is designed to recreate the Islamic influence evident all over Spain, but to modern standards. There is no thousand years of wear and tear here. Its all brand new.
The building from outside
We had a rainy day for the trip, which made the gardens look a little sad, but the rain did not dampen the spirits of the group.
We waited to enter the center and thankfully the rain stopped while we waited.
The first view of the interior is very impressive. The building is on three levels with the fountain and running water as central theme. The dome is composed of beautifully painted timbers and highly polished panels.
The women´s gallery is an illustration of the finest carpentry and painting I have ever seen.
By comparison the Alhambra and The Mosque in Cordoba are undeniably impressive, but dulled by 700 years of use, the paint and carving bearing the patina of smokey candles and oil lamps. The colors here are clear and vibrant.
The women were not allowed on the ground floor, where they may distract the prayers of the devout. They could join the prayers from above, suitably veiled and away from the men. I have a limited experience of working in wood, but I am without ability and so my appreciation of the craftsmanship is derived from my own experience. The carvings and paneling are beautiful and a delight to see.
Looking down from the woman's gallery you can see the intricate and beautiful design of the ground floor mosaic and the glass panels designed to give the impression of still water. Below the glass is the basement level.
Here, in corners off from the the woman's gallery, are carved ceilings with delicate painting in astounding detail. Below is a panel in one corner showing the mastery of Islamic art.
This is the basement floor below the central fountain. The crystal stalactite hanging down over the marble bowl and the fountains (Not running on the day.) are designed to bring a sense of peace. The tiling and arches are beautiful examples of Islamic architecture at it´s best.
After the tour and a speech about the aims and hopes of the foundation we all went outside into the gardens.
It was not raining so we all had a look at the bedraggled plants and flowers, which in sunshine would have been pretty.
Before we climbed on the bus we had time for one group photo.
It was not raining so we all had a look at the bedraggled plants and flowers, which in sunshine would have been pretty.
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