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ICS FIELDTRIPS

Each semester, ICS students have the opportunity to participate in four distinct and fascinating excursions throughout Andalucía. These organized trips are to: Córdoba, Granada, Ronda, and Jerez de la Frontera and Valdelagrana beach. All visits are given in English.

Córdoba.

Córdoba is a town of considerable charm, known widely for its beautifully flowered courtyards, its narrow cobblestoned streets, its secluded niches and tiny workshops where silversmiths create fine jewelery and, of course, for its impressive history which once exemplified harmony among cultures. For centuries, Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived in peaceful coexistence. But Córdoba is most known throughout the world for its magnificent decorative architecture, as seen in the great Mosque. 

Situated at an hour and a half north of Seville today Córdoba is a minor provincial capital, but it was once the largest city of Roman Spain, and for three centuries formed the heart of the western Islamic empire, the great medieval caliphate of the Moors. The heyday of the Córdoba caliphate came in the 10th Century. While parts of Europe languished in the Dark Ages, Córdoba became a center of advanced learning in sciences, medicine, philosophy and poetry. Together with Baghdad and Constantinople, it was considered one of the three greatest cities in the world. In this city, where Seneca studied, there developed a stream of illustrious thinkers among them Averroes, the Arabian scholar, and Maimónides, the Jewish philosopher.

In Córdoba, ICS students are taken on tour of the famous Mezquita, or Mosque, begun in the year 785 and extended through the 10th Century. It is the third largest in the world and is considered unparalleled for the beauty of its architecture and the vastness of its dimensions as well as the sumptuousness of its decoration. It is also one of the greatest historical landmarks of Spain. 

After the Mosque, students walk through the heart of the old city, the former Jewish quarters, with its labyrinth of winding streets, passing whitewashed houses and flowered patios to the Ancient Jewish Synagogue, one of the three ancient synagogues still in existence in Spain.  This small Mudéjar-style synagogue, built in 1315, was one of 26 that once stood in the city.  Fortunately, one can still appreciate segments of Hebraic inscriptions on the walls. The upper gallery where women were seated, and the niche where the Torah was kept are still intact.

To complete the guided visit to medieval Córdoba, ICS students are taken to see the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, or Christian palace-fortress.  The Alcázar, constructed in 1328 on the site of a former caliphal fortress which was itself built on Roman foundations, was used for a number of years as the residence of the Catholic monarchs during their campaign to conquer Granada from the Moors. It later became the seat of the Inquisition. After touring the Alcázar and its splendid gardens, with its fountains, pools and wealth of flowers and shrubbery students are given the rest of the day free to explore this uniquely sublime city.

Granada.

To begin this two-day visit to the city of Granada, ICS students are taken to The Alhambra palace, universally recognized as the most beautiful example of Arab art of all times and places. Built in the 10th Century on the highest point of the city, the Alhambra is filled with the most elaborately decorated rooms and halls and is surrounded by imposing military stone walls and towers.  Next to the Alhambra palace is located the "Generalife" palace, or Summer residence of the Nazarite sovereigns. In its magnificent gardens one cannot help but admire the varied abundance of flowers and vegetation intermixed with an incessant playing of water through its many fountains and natural falls. Upon completion of this professionally guided tour, the ICS motorcoach drives the group to the downtown area where check-in at a local hotel takes place. Students are given free time for the rest of the day.

The following morning, students are taken to the Royal Chapel, constructed by order of the Catholic monarchs in 1504 for their future burial place. ICS students visit the magnificently-carved tombs of Queen Isabel and King Fernando, as well as those of Juana La Loca, and Felipe El Hermoso. In addition, within the Chapel they have the opportunity to contemplate important works of art in the form of painting and sculpture as well as King Fernando's original sword and army banner. For its most impressive size and quality "The Passion" tryptic by Dierek Bouts, situated on the High Altar, is the most important pictoral work of art of Granada. Once outside, students never fail to appreciate the imposing facade of the Chapel, a perfect example of the Spanish Plateresque style of architecture. To complete the group visit of Granada students are taken on a guided walking tour of the Albaicín, or the ancient Moorish quarters of the city, after which free time is given.

Ronda.

Ronda is one of the oldest towns in Spain. Its origin, according to archeological findings in the old city space, belong to the Neolithic Age. The Golden Age of the town began shortly after the fall of the Córdoba kingdom, when Ronda achieved the category of main city of Al Andalus. Until the surrender of the city to Fernando El Católico in 1485 the Muslim fortress was at the height of its power and for a long time, enjoyed virtual autonomy.

Perched high on a rocky cliff and surrounded by mountains, Ronda's setting is truly unforgettable and breathtaking to behold. One of Ronda´s main attractions is the gaping river gorge, "El Tajo", which drops 500 feet on three sides. Still more spectacular, the gorge is spanned by a stupendous 18th Century arched bridge.  Besides affording a striking view, this deep chasm also serves the purpose of dividing the old and new sections of the town.  

It is in the old section of the city, the Moorish and Aristocratic quarter, that ICS students begin the visit to this most unique town. Walking through streets so intricate as a maze students view beautiful houses of ancient Arab origin and never fail to notice how this part of town retains the character and flair of a typical old Muslim town. The walk leads to the famed Palacio de Mondragón, believed to have been built for Abomelic, Ruler of Ronda in 1314. Of the ground floor's three courtyards, one maintains its true Islamic character: The Patio Mudéjar, which preserves intact its original decorative stucco work and from which a horseshoe arch leads to a cliftop garden. Here, ICS students are given a thorough discussion and demonstration on the art of bullfighting.

The "New Section" of town (16th Century+) holds Ronda´s pride and joy - the world-renowned Plaza de Toros. Built in 1781 and first inaugurated in 1785, the Plaza is one of the oldest and most important in Spain. In this bullring of  elegant construction with one of the largest arenas in the country, Ronda played a leading part in the development of bullfighting. For centuries, it has been the dream of every aspiring matador to fight in this ring. Students will have the opportunity to visit the bullring and the adjoining museum, replete with memorabilia such as costumes worn by Pedro Romero (1754-1839), the father of modern bullfighting, and photographs of famous fans including Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles.

Students are then given free time to explore the town.

Jerez and Valdelagrana Beach.

The city of Jerez- founded by the Greeks under the name of Xera- was shipping highly prized wine to distant Rome in clay amphoras two millennia ago. The Muslims introduced distillation for medicinal purposes and under their 500-year domination the wine industry prospered. It was after the Reconquista in the 14th Century, however, that the industry we know today truly began. At this time, British merchants established firms, or bodegas, in Jerez and neighboring towns and created the "Solera" system to produce a distinctive style of wine. 

Encircled by vines planted in the chalky albariza soil, Jerez de la Frontera is the home and heartland of sherry. It is, in fact, one of the three towns, along with Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Puerto Santa María, that make up the world famous "Sherry Triangle". Within this triangle, a combination of soil, climate and grape variety come together to create the only authentic sherry in the world. 

ICS students are taken on tour of one of  the most internationally acclaimed bodegas in the city, González Byass. Like many of the other wine firms in Jerez, González Byass was founded by British Catholic refugees, barred from careers at home. Here, while walking through  cellars that combine the optimum conditions of temperature and ventilation in which wine can mature students are given a detailed explanation of the complete wine-making process. After a brief historical film is shown, a wine-sampling will be given.

Once the tour has come to an end students are taken by motorcoach to nearby Valdelagrana beach, a lovely little resort town approached through sherry vineyards. It has an excellent beach and many fine restaurants, cafés and ice cream parlors. Students are given free time for the rest of the day.

 

ICS fieldtrips include:

• Roundtrip transportation on first class motorcoaches.
• Entrance fees to the different monuments.
• Guided tours in English of these monuments.
• In the case of Granada, overnight in a hostal.

Attendance on the trips is non-transferable to a second party. Meals are not included.

 

by Ingeniova Systems