Albacete

May 10, 2022

In some guidebook translations, Albacete is proclaimed to have the odd distinction of being the cutlery capital of Spain. This brings to mind table settings, but more likely refers to specialty knives. We took a pass on the cutlery museum but did succumb to buy a fine, handcrafted, made in Albacete, serrated knife to supplement the Swiss army tool that up to now has been our only means of cutting bread, fruit, cheese, etc for our lunch picnics.

Today was a delightfully relaxed day off. After yesterday's marathon ride we were glad to sleep in a bit, enjoy a slow breakfast, do laundry, re-organize the panniers, catch up on emails and blog reports, make a salad lunch and then, like Spaniards, head out at 5pm to see the city. The cathedral is unique, not in that its construction was started in the 16th C, like most churches in Spain, but that it was only completed in the 1940s. The result is a renaissance building with a modern decor, including elaborate and gruesome frescoes.

Then we strolled up and down the boulevards, checking off the "must see" attractions, window shopping and people watching. Overall we appreciated the real, ordinary aspect of a city that does not have much of a tourist draw so the people we watched were ordinary Spanish citizens going about their daily business.

After three weeks in Spain we are getting to understand some aspects of the culture, (such as opening hours) but still feel like strangers most of the time.

Beautiful facades on downtown buildings.

Albacete cathedral showing the join of the 16th and 20th Century parts. We never learned why it took 400 years to finish construction.

Cathedral interior. Note the priest giving mass in the left chapel.

Even the statues look so modern in this church.

Selfie showing our new caps and Ann's shirt.

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