The building of Christian Church over pagan temples was customary in ancient Rome. Thus we have the Basilica Santa María over the Temple of Minerva. In fact, recently discovered were the remains of another temple, to Isis and Serapis in the place where this basilica is located. The architectural style of the “Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva” is Gothic. Continue reading “Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Roma”
Author: La Viajera y El Mochilero
“Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore” – Firenze
One of the most flourishing and developing cities in ancient times was Florence. It was the center of medieval European commerce and finance. Birthplace of the Renaissance and the standard Italian language, home of Michelangelo’s “David”, the city of the Medicis, the “Ponte Vecchio” and the capital of Tuscany. The centerpiece of this historically valuable city is another treasure; the whole of the “Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore”.
Continue reading ““Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore” – Firenze”
The Tavera Hospital in Toledo
The San Juan Bautista Hospital was built on the outskirts of Toledo, Spain, between 1541 and 1603 by order of Cardinal Juan Pardo de Tavera and, therefore, the popular reference to the building as the Tavera Hospital. The building is also known as the Exterior Hospital as it was literally outside the city walls of Toledo.
Ponte dei Suspiri, Venice
The “Ponte dei Suspiri” or Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy, is over one of the most important canals in the city, the Di Palazzo River. It has become a tourist attraction,as it joins the Doge’s Palace and the old prison of the Inquisition. Continue reading “Ponte dei Suspiri, Venice”
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Santa Maria, Siena
Siena is one of the beautiful cities that we can find in Tuscany, a region of central Italy surrounded by the main mountain ranges, with fertile hills and plains. The city of Siena is known for its medieval center and for the “Palio”, a very famous horse race that they celebrate twice a year. Continue reading “The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Santa Maria, Siena”
Piazza Navona, Rome
“Piazza Navona” in Rome, is located in an important center of urban life as it relates to social, cultural and tourism events. Strolling through this square one can find sculptures, fountains and buildings of great artistic value. Continue reading “Piazza Navona, Rome”
Piazza Garibaldi – Tivoli
In the heart of the historic center of Tivoli one finds the “Piazza Garibaldi” or the Garibaldi Square. It is dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the “Hero of the Two Worlds” due to his military interventions in South America and Europe. He is also considered one of the “fathers of the country” of Italy along with King Victor Emmanuel. The “Arch of the Founding Fathers”, a monumental sculpture created in 2009 by Arnaldo Pomodoro, attests to it in a prominent place on center of the stage. Continue reading “Piazza Garibaldi – Tivoli”
The two Towers: “Garisenda and degli Asinelli” – Bologna
Upon leaving Venice, the city of Bologna is the obvious choice for another stop on our adventure through Italy. Bologna is the capital of the “Emilia-Romagna” region in northern Italy. It is also an important transport hub, in particular its Bologna Centrale station, which serves as a crossroads for all the main train systems in Italy. Continue reading “The two Towers: “Garisenda and degli Asinelli” – Bologna”
The floating cathedral of Italy
In northeastern Italy there are 118 islands in the Adriatic Sea, which together are known as Venice, the “Floating City”. As expected, Venice has its own “floating cathedral”, we are referring to the beautiful St. Mark’s Basilica. Continue reading “The floating cathedral of Italy”
The Plaza of the Villa – Madrid
Initially known as the Plaza Saint Salvador, the Plaza of the Villa was one of the main medieval centers of the Villa of Madrid. King Henry IV of Castile granted the title of “Noble and Loyal Vlla” to Madrid in the fifteenth century and, therefore, the change in the name of the square.