Wander the whitewashed streets of any Pueblo in the province of Granada, Andalucía…and at least one of the blue and white plaques will surely contain a reference to its most famous and revered literary son, Federico García Lorca. Even as you arrive at the airport of the same name! In stark contrast, you will not find his epitaph nor resting place, as that spot has yet to be discovered…he was one of the ‘fallen’ one of at least 4,000 in a lonely gully just outside of our provincial Capital – Granada. His legacy? Take a tour and discover Lorca…
Federico García Lorca
Federico García Lorca
From affluent beginnings…
house in the Vega
Fuente Vaqueros was the place where he began life as the son of a landowner back on June 5th 1898. On the banks of the River Genil 18kms, about 40 mins drive from Granada, and now a museum with pictures and artifacts relating to the life of this creative literary man. Just one of many museums dedicated to him, the Casa Natal displays an original gramaphone, which still plays his pianist works.
Lazy hazy days of Summer
A garden for all seasons..
Let’s go back to Granada, just 10 minutes walk from the City centre, you will find Huerta de San Vicente. Inspired by his Summer house, Lorca created many works here including Gypsy Ballads and the infamous Blood Wedding. The house is now another museum, beautifully retained with one foot in the past. Stand in Lorcas bedroom next to the original dark green doors, and take in the paintings, sketches and the essence of the room as it was when he lived and worked there. A quote that you can positively inhale:
There is so much Jasmine and Nightshade in the garden that we all wake up with lyrical headaches
Indeed, the gardens, now surrounded by parkland, are just as scented today, heady and beautiful.
Time to study…
inspirational writing
The Residencía de Estudiantes located within the University of Granada is our next port of call. The location for his preliminary studies, alongside his friends including an artist you might know, Salvador Dalí, and the surrealist filmmaker Bunuel.
Perhaps when you have had enough of studying you might like to head back into Granada and stay at one of these holiday homes?
…Time for a beer
Wandering Granada, tour the many bars for a beer and a tapa, look out for Bar Restaurante Chikito – in Plaza del Campillo – originally a much nicer name, El Rinconcillo – The little corner – and Lorcas choice of watering hole. He and the boys made up a literary group, gathering here regularly to hold court and pontificate, the original bohemian café culture, no good being a flamboyant young intellectual if no one can hear or see you!
The Palace on the hill
Back up the hill
Of course no visit to Granada is complete without a visit to the Alhambra, the hill leading up to it – the Albaicín – was the original Gypsy quarter. Where better to inspire a young creative genius to write his famous poems, leading to the nickname, The Gypsy Poet. You can also still rent out houses here, for the ultimate literary lodging!
A resting place
Granada
Take a breather, visit the Federico García Park between Viznar and Alfacar. This space is dedicated to his memory, and all the other victims of the Civil War – most of them still undiscovered. Here was where he was taken in the first months of the conflict, in 1936. Here is also widely believed to be that final resting place. Let’s leave the last line to Lorca himself, and when you visit, be prepared to fall in love with the city of Granada and be inspired as much as he.
If by the grace of God I become famous,
half of that fame will belong to Granada,
which formed me and made me what I am,
a Poet from birth and unable to help it…
Okay, so I have a mild obsession...!
