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PBS "The Ornament of the World"

This film should be of interest for those visiting Cordoba, Granada, Seville, or Toledo. It airs on PBS starting December 17.
The Ornament of the World
or
http://pbsinternational.org/programs/ornament-of-the-world/
http://pbsinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PBSI_ORNAMENT-OF-THE-WORLD_SS_F_LORES_CR3479.pdf

The Ornament of the World tells a story from the past that’s especially timely
today: the story of a remarkable time in history when Muslims, Christians and
Jews forged a common cultural identity that frequently transcended their
religious differences. The film retraces a nearly 800-year period in medieval
Spain, from the early 8th through late 15th centuries, during which the three
groups, though they competed and sometimes fought, managed to sustain
relationships that enabled them to coexist, collaborate and flourish. The film
blends evocative location cinematography with dramatic and lifelike animation
to take viewers on a fascinating journey through the cities at the center of the
story: Cordoba, Seville, Toledo and Granada.
The story is told through a series of portraits of the figures and moments
that defined medieval Spain, highlighting stunning architectural wonders such
as the Great Mosque of Cordoba, medieval synagogues in Toledo, the Alcazar
in Seville and the Alhambra in Granada. The historical areas of these cities
have changed little over the centuries; their cobbled streets, ancient mosques
and tiny synagogues bear powerful witness to the culture and people that
constructed them.

Posted by
503 posts

Thanks so much for posting this - we are headed to Cordoba, Grenada and Seville next month so the timing is perfect!

Posted by
3642 posts

There is also a book with the same title, written by Maria Rosa Menocal.

Posted by
2074 posts

Thanks for the tip. We recently recorded but have not yet watched a PBS documentary “Cities of Light: the Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain”. Perhaps others may find it interesting. They sound like similar programs.

Posted by
43 posts

Yay! I just finish listening to this book during TG travel and headed to Andalucia soon. I will definitely watch and subject Hubs to it as well.

Posted by
287 posts

Thanks for posting! I just got back from a trip to Spain and visited all these places and every tour I was on highlighted the coexistence of these cultures. Can’t wait to revisit these beautiful sites by watching.

Posted by
6713 posts

I'm looking forward to seeing this. I read the book awhile ago and visited those cities last month. Now I can subject the wife to some of my experience! ;-)

Posted by
3 posts

The full title of the book by María Rosa Menocal is The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain. It was published in 2002 and is hands down the most beautifully written non-fiction book I've ever read.