La Vida Alcalaína

I'm not normally one for national stereotypes, but the Spanish do tend to exhibit a marked aversion to Planning Ahead.   This manifests itself in many ways, from the current banking crisis to the way they double-park. When it's in the way, I'll move it.   When there's a problem, I'll solve it.  When it breaks, I'll mend it.  In the meantime, why worry? But some alcalainos are worrying, and with good reason.   Alcalá's crowning glory, the bell-tower on the church of San Jorge in the Plaza Alta, is about to fall down. The church, which was declared  Bien de Interés Cultural  (object of special cultural interest) in 2006,  was built in the 16th century on the site of an old mosque.  The baroque-style tower was added in 1637.  It contains four bells, and is crowned by a pyramid covered in blue and white ceramic tiles, topped with a wrought-iron cross.  It dominates the skyline for miles around, changing colour with the light - you can see the tiles spark

This week Alcalá celebrates yet another religious festival; Corpus Christi, literally the Body of Christ, proclaiming the transubstantiation  whereby bread and wine change into the actual body and blood of Christ during the Eucharist .  Masses are held at both of the town's churches and at the Santuario , and tonight there will be a procession, bearing the Holy Host enshrined in silverware through the narrow streets, accompanied by our inimitable silver band. Lining the streets with greenery in Zahara de la Sierra Corpus Christi is a moveable feast, meaning that it takes place on a different date every year; the first Thursday after Trinity Sunday, which is the eighth Sunday after Easter.  It started in 1208 when a Belgian nun had a vision of a moon half covered by cloud, which she interpreted to mean that God was unhappy that the Eucharist was not celebrated on earth. In 1246, the Bishop of Liège approved a Eucharist celebration in his diocese, which Pope Urban IV then e

Here are a couple of videos of songs from the new CD  25 Años del Coro Amigos del Camino , commemorating the 25th anniversary of the choir of Alcalá's "Friends of the Camino" club. This one,  Alcalá Mora (Moorish Alcalá) has some lovely views of the town. This one celebrates our famous local dish, hot gazpacho!