Country

Cathedral of the Savior, Zamora, Spain

From the Cathedral Square you can see the smallest and oldest of the eleven cathedrals of the Community of Castilla y León. Dedicated to the Savior, it is located at the highest point of the city of Zamora and belongs to the so-called Romanesque of the Duero. In 1889 it was declared a National Monument. Regarding the dates of the beginning and end of the works of the cathedral, there is no agreement among historians. It is said that it was built by a single master and that it was finished in 1174, coinciding with the reign of Alfonso VII. Continue reading “Cathedral of the Savior, Zamora, Spain” →

Athens, Blog English, Country, Greece

The Kapnikarea Church, one of the oldest in Athens, Greece

The Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, is considered a relic of Byzantine architecture and one of the oldest Orthodox churches in the city of Athens. According to archaeological research, this Byzantine church where the ancient Greeks worshipped the goddess Athena or Demeter, was built over an ancient temple in the 11th century, probably in the year 1050, a common practice among early Christian churches. Today, it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as “Panagia”. Continue reading “The Kapnikarea Church, one of the oldest in Athens, Greece” →

"Cuenca", Blog English, Country, Spain

Cuenca, Spain: Las Casas Colgadas (The Hanging Houses)

The Hanging Houses or Casas Colgadas, are the symbol of the Spanish city of Cuenca in Castilla la Mancha and we were eager to get there and see them. They are a group of buildings that were built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The name Casas Colgadas (Hanging Houses) is due to the fact that part of them are cantilevered, with large balconies overhanging the high rocky ledge of the Huécar River gorge. Continue reading “Cuenca, Spain: Las Casas Colgadas (The Hanging Houses)” →

Blog English, Country, Guadalajara, Spain

Pantheon of the Countess of Vega del Pozo, Guadalajara, Spain

We like to recommend that when visiting a new city, always start with the place that most intrigues you or that you have always wanted to visit. In our case, when we arrived at Guadalajara Station, we headed to the Pantheon of the Countess of Vega del Pozo and Duchess of Sevillano, an impressive monument built between 1882 and 1916 in this Spanish city. This magnificent pantheon was commissioned by Doña María Diega Desmaissières y Sevillano, Countess of Vega del Pozo and Duchess of Sevillano, in honor of her father and deceased relatives, who would find their eternal resting place here. The pantheon is part of the monumental complex of the foundation of San Diego de Alcalá. Continue reading “Pantheon of the Countess of Vega del Pozo, Guadalajara, Spain” →

Blog English, Country, Delphi, Greece

The Oracle of Delphi, Greece

“I warn you, whoever you are, who yearn to inquire into the mysteries of nature, that, if you do not find within yourself that which you seek, neither will you find it without. If you ignore the virtues of your own abode, how can you hope to discover other excellencies? In thee resides that which is the Treasury of Treasures.” Message of the Oracle of Delphi.

Continue reading “The Oracle of Delphi, Greece” →

"Cuenca", Blog English, Country, Spain

Cathedral of “Santa María” and “San Julián” of Cuenca, Spain

Cuenca’s most emblematic monument, the Cathedral of Santa María and San Julián, is undoubtedly a temple that jumps out at you once you arrive at the Plaza Mayor of this picturesque city located in the mountains in central eastern Spain. It was the first building that began to be built after the conquest of the city at the end of the 12th century. And, as often happens after a conquest, the Christian temple was built on the site of the old Muslim citadel. Continue reading “Cathedral of “Santa María” and “San Julián” of Cuenca, Spain” →

Country, Genoa, Italy

Genoa, Italy: Our one-day tour

The capital of Liguria, Genoa, is one of the twenty regions that make up the Italian Republic and the largest seaport in Italy for several centuries. Genoa is located in the northwest of Italy and is famous for its old quarter, its splendid palaces and its busy squares. Moreover, for obvious reasons, all the stories in Genoa are linked to the sea, being the birthplace of Cristoforo Colombo, the great discoverer of the Americas. And not least, Genoa is known as the kingdom of pesto and focaccia. Continue reading “Genoa, Italy: Our one-day tour” →

"Valladolid", Blog English, Country, Spain

Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, Valladolid

From the entrance to Regalado Street, the façade and tower of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption of Valladolid can be seen in the background. It is located in the center of the city, in a slightly elevated area, near the church of Santa María de la Antigua. The Cathedral was built in the 16th century on the site of the third Gothic Collegiate Church, following the plans of Juan de Herrera de Maliaño, a Spanish architect, mathematician, geometrician and military man, considered one of the greatest exponents of Hispanic Renaissance architecture. The temple obtained the category of cathedral in 1595. Continue reading “Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, Valladolid” →

"Salamanca", Blog English, Country, Spain

The New Cathedral of Salamanca

In 1491, the Cabildo of Salamanca proposed the need for a temple of larger dimensions, since the Old Cathedral, Romanesque, was small and dark for the time, given the population development that was taking place at that time. The master builders of the cathedrals of Toledo and Seville were hired, with the mission to build a new cathedral for Salamanca, laying the first stone on May 12, 1513. We had commented in the previous article dedicated to the Old Cathedral, that when we observe the structure it gives the impression that it is only one cathedral and not two. This was achieved by supporting the New Cathedral on the north wall of the Old Cathedral. The wall was reinforced towards the interior of the old temple, leaving the lateral nave partially reduced with the new construction. The tower of the new cathedral was built over the bell tower of the Old Cathedral. Continue reading “The New Cathedral of Salamanca” →

"Salamanca", Blog English, Country, Spain

Old Cathedral of Salamanca

Six cities in Spain have two cathedrals and Salamanca is one of them. Some of these are built separately and others, as in the case of the cathedrals of Salamanca, may be united. The reality is that, for nearly four hundred years, the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral have lived together as one. And, although they may appear to be a single structure, the truth is that each has its own separate history and so we will treat them as such. For obvious reasons, it is with the Old Cathedral of Salamanca that we begin the first part of this article. Continue reading “Old Cathedral of Salamanca” →