In the Church of San Ildefonso, known commonly as the Jesuit Church in Toledo, Spain, we can find what has been termed a “trompe l’oeil” which is nothing more than the illusion of fake architecture that created with paint, surrounded by columns and frame paintings in perspective. Continue reading “Church of San Ildefonso”
Category: Briefs
Bridge of Alcantara
The Alcantara bridge in Toledo, Spain, was declared a national monument in 1921. Located at the foot of the Servando Castle, it is one of the bridges leading into the city. Continue reading “Bridge of Alcantara”
The Lion’s Gateway
The Lion’s Gate, formerly called Puerta de la Monteria, is the main entrance to the Real Alcazar in Seville. Its construction is of the Almohad style and is the gateway to the main entrance to the courtyard of the Lion and the palace of King Pedro I, whom some called “the Cruel” and others “the Just”. Continue reading “The Lion’s Gateway”
The Cathedral Mosque
The Cathedral-Mosque of Cordoba, has been suject to a series of expansions and according to the richness of the materials used during the same, one can clearly distinguish that the first extensions were the most richly ornamented. In 822 Abderrahman II expanded the prayer hall into eight sections to the south, with a clear Abbasid influence in its decoration, the product of political contacts with the Eastern Caliphate and the arrival of individuals from the East to the Peninsula. Continue reading “The Cathedral Mosque”
Alfileritos Street
“Alfileritos” Street in Toledo, Spain. We became very curious to know the origin of the name of this street and we now share what we have found. In Legends Toletum we find that “Alfileritos” is a long, narrow street lined with old houses and old palaces, which rises near the “Plaza de San Nicolas”, and dies at the “Plaza de San Vicente”, near the apse of the church of the same name. Continue reading “Alfileritos Street”
The “Palacio de los Granados”
Our friends Paul and Francisco fell in love with Ecija and this eighteenth century structure in at first sight. Even though it had been closed for over 70 years, they took up the task of restoring it and turning it into the Palacio de los Granados in honor of the beautiful pomegranate trees found in the yard on that first visit. For us it meant our home on the days we visited Écija. Continue reading “The “Palacio de los Granados””
The “Mihrab” of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
Inside the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba we will find the “Mihrab”. Continue reading “The “Mihrab” of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba”
The Metropolis Building, Madrid, Spain.
The Metropolis Building is considered to be the most emblematic of Madrid, Spain. Its actual physical address is 39 Alcalá Street, despite that many believe it is on the “Gran Via” (Grand Avenue). The building was designed by the famous French Architects Jules and Raymond Février by means of a contest. Various architectural styles were employed such as Roman, Beaux Arts and Neo-Roman. Its construction was ordered by the insurance company “La Unión y el Fénix” in 1907. Work was finally completed in 1910 under the eyes of the Spaniard Luis Esteve Fernández-Caballero. The building was inaugurated in 1911. Continue reading “The Metropolis Building, Madrid, Spain.”
The Columns of Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
Upon entering the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba one might believe to have entered a forest, but instead of trees, one bows before one thousand three hundred columns of marble, jasper and granite. Continue reading “The Columns of Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba”
The Orange Grove of the Mosque – Cathedral of Córdoba
“A beautiful nursery of Orange Trees that catches one’s view upon entering that sacred temple”, this is how Fray Gregorio de Alfaro referred to the the Orange Grove or Garden of the Mosque – Cathedral of Córdoba in his writings towards the end of the XVI century.It’s name is derived from the 98 orange trees planted in rows. Continue reading “The Orange Grove of the Mosque – Cathedral of Córdoba”