Turmeric: A Spice Rooted in Catalan Medieval History

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Resuming our Medieval Fair in Súria, we reach for the spices stall, where I couldn't refrain from firing a bunch of shots on this big bowl of Turmeric, a spice obtained from the dried and powdered rhizome of Curcuma longa, an Indian plant. It is an ingredient in curries and in the Middle Ages its color made it a cheaper substitute for saffron. It originated 4000 years ago and is linked to the Vedic culture in India where it was used as a culinary spice and had religious significance. The name derives from the Latin terra merita “meritorious earth” due to the resemblance to the color of some minerals. It can be used as a dye for cloth or be added to chicken broth or dairy products such as margarine. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric is considered to have medicinal properties as an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. Although I am not particularly fond of yellow I have to admit that Curcuma makes a wonderful subject for a colorful picture.

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Gaudi: Lizards at Sagrada Familia

For those of you who are fond of gargoyles,mythological beings,gods or goddesses, serpents, unicorns, gryphs or lizards I let you catch a glimpse of Gaudi's work on the façade of Sagrada Familia facing the upper side of the city also known as mountain side. It is a part that we tend to ignore as it reminds us of some other average churches but if you take a closer look you discover strange creatures for a church or impossible spires multiplying by the dozen on top.

Súria Medieval Fair: Vth Edition

Súria Medieval Crafts Fair took place this weekend in Poble Vell, the old part of this fortress town. The origins of the fortified villa can be traced back to the XVIIth century when it started to grow around the castle already built in the Xth century. There was a need to protect the salt route along the Cardener river nearby (salt was exploited in the Cardona Valley since Roman times)and also because this land marked the limits between Christians and Saracens. Other important events in the history of Súria have been the cruel Carlist wars in the XIXth c. or the exploitation of potash deposits in the area discovered in 1912. So far so good...As an introduction after yesterday's vegetable stall I show you some folks in town dressing in medieval costumes. An archer and a lord perhaps? I specially like the staring into space of both of them. I was really lucky. From here, congratulations to the artists and citizens of Súria, an attractive Catalan town.