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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013
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THE SPAINIAC | The Alhambra Part 2 | Candice Parsons The sounds of running water through concealed stone channels, along with sights of thoughtfully structured flowing fountains, are a constant recurrence throughout the Alhambra. The role of water creates the Alhambra’s very essence and was a pivotal component to its entire concept. Straight from the Darro river, the water is diverted through a channel within the hill that the Alhambra sits on to satisfy the needs of the palace and bring both its gardens and interior to life. The theme of water became almost immediately apparent to me as I absorbed the beauty of the Generalife gardens. Walking amongst its towering trees, vibrant flowers and exotic plants was like getting voluntarily lost in a paradisiacal oasis. These gardens were first built under the reign of Muhammad III; his desire was to create the closest thing he could to a paradise on earth. By the time the Alhambra was finished in the 14th
century, most of Spain had been reconquered by the Christians. We thereforecannot be certain what the Alhambra originally looked like during its first occupancy of Moorish rulers, as much of its interior was changed when the Christians took over. Nonetheless, a strong presence and large amount of visibly unique Islamic artwork, decoration, and inscriptions still remain. After leaving the Generalife gardens and heading towards the less naturistic areas of the Alhambra, I felt the rest of the palace would not be able to compete. I was soon after proved very wrong. The Palace of Charles V was constructed by order of the Emperor himself, who wanted a summer residence next to the Alhambra, where he and his family could enjoy all of its luxuries. Its unique circular courtyard echoed a classic kaleidoscope of renaissance architecture, which I could only truly appreciate once physically standing inside its 63 metres wide and 17
metre high facade. Whilst the Alcazaba fortress flaunted magnificence from its epic views over Granada, it was my entire aesthetic experience of the Nasrid palace that left the most lasting awe and impression. Its numerous balconies with breathtaking views of the Albaicín, from which the king would watch over his people in the villagebelow; along with secret gardens, tranquil courtyards, and mysteriously seductive chambers and passageways, are only accentuated by the exquisite detail of their walls, ceilings, structure and design. The ornate calligraphy of quotations from the Quran combined with interlocking geometric shapes, patterns, and colours, encapsulated the combination of religion, art and history to a degree my imagination didn’t know
possible.
Like the previous day that I’d spent exploring El Albaicín, I’d once again returned from the Alhambra famished; dehydrated;exhausted; and in dire need of both muscle relaxant and antiinflammatory medication for my now humorously fat ankle (Ilater requested these from the ‘farmacia’ staff by showing an iPhone app message, which I’d asked my friend Olivia to write in proper Spanish for me). Despite the discomfort and discerning possibility of forfeiting any future travel activities, seeing this surreal statement of religious diaspora, history, art, and cultural glory together with its struggle,was simply a privileged pleasure that was accompanied by some well worthy pain.
Candice Parsons is a writer and avid Spain and Spanish culture lover from Melbourne, Australia. ‘Like’ my Facebook page: www.facebook. com/pandemicrhapsody and follow me on Twitter @MiLlamoCandi
LEGAL CORNER WITH MICHAEL DAVIES, ABOGADO/SOLICITOR
If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic, please e-mail info@daviessolicitors.com
IMPORTANT - A NEW OBLIGATION FOR RESIDENTS:
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED IF YOU ARE A TAX RESIDENT: YOU NEED TO FILE FORM 720 DECLARING YOUR ASSETS WORLDWIDE RISKING HEAVY PENALTIES IF YOU DO NOT DO SO
Q.
I have heard that I need to present a declaration to the tax office declaring my assets in
other countries. Surely this cannot be true?
A. It is correct. Orden HAP/72/2013 of 30th of January has brought to life form 720, which needs to be filled
in by all residents of Spain who have assets abroad worth more than 50,000 euros. This form must be presented before the end of April with severe penalties for not doing so. All resident of Spain shall provide the Spanish tax administration with the following information: 1. Information of bank accounts you may have abroad, already in your name, or have authorization or rights to at any time of the year which corresponds to the declaration. The information shall include: • The full name and address of the bank. • Full identification of the accounts. • The opening or cancellation date, or if applicable, grant and revocation as authorized. • The average balances of the last trimester and the corresponding average balances for the last trimester of the year 2. Information on securities, assets, values or rights representing the equities of all types of entities, or transfer own equities to a third party, of which they own and are abroad, as well as life insurance and life annuity policy holders or beneficiaries of temporary policies. In this case, the information must include, in addition to the identification of the entity, the balance on December 31st, the number and class of such assets. 3. Information on real estate located abroad. This last section will contain the following statement: • Type of property. • Property location: country, city, street and number. • Date of purchase & Value of purchase. The presentation in subsequent years will only be required when the value of the assets and rights have experienced an increase of over 20,000 euro on the determined value of the last statement made. The information shall be declared in the new model 720 from February 1st to April 30th 2013 for the data of the fiscal year 2012. Starting from the next fiscal year the declaration should be presented between the dates January 1st & March 31st. Michael Davies is a Spanish Abogado and has been practicing law in Almería since 1993. He is member of the Law societies of Almería and Madrid and has offices in Mojacar and Almeria High Street.