The Republic of Venice was a sovereign and independent state for more than 1,000 years, which ended in the 18th century. The main responsible leader and supreme magistrate of this Republic was the “Dux”, chosen for life by the aristocratic families of Venice. The Ducal Palace was the residence of this elected official. It is comparable today with the “White House,” Buckingham Palace and other official residences of rulers and leaders around the world. Continue reading “The Doge’s Palace”
The city of “Toletum”, now Toledo, Spain, was known before Roman times for being a “small town fortified by its location”. Rome further fortified the city with walls and access achieved through a series of gates or portals. The Moors added their signature traits to ensure the city even more.
Along the western slopes of the Sabine hills and approximately 20 miles from Rome, we find the city of Tivoli. It is believed that the city was originally founded as Tibur and its history dates back to the 13th century B. C.
In 1173, Assisi was occupied by the Germans. It is then that a castle is built above this Italian city, on the slopes of Mount “Subasio” of the “Apennine” mountain range. It would serve as a fort to protect a future emperor. This castle is known as “Rocca Maggiore” (The Rock). The heir and future Roman emperor, Fredrik II, was just an infant when during a civil revolt of the town of Assisi in 1198, his entourage left the castle taking the child. During this revolt, the “Rocca Maggiore” suffered considerable damage. Continue reading “The “Rocca Maggiore” – Assisi”
For those who are not familiar with the Italian language, “Ponte Vecchio” is not an exotic name for a bridge. In “Firenze” or Florence, it refers simply to the Old Bridge. A symbol of Florence, a city that the Romans called Fiorentina in its founding and which in Latin means flowering / flower in bloom.
Before recently visiting the city of Toledo (Spain), some of the members of the Legends of Toledo group suggested we go to the Paseo de La Vega to savor what they consider the best “churros” in Toledo. So we arived mid-morning, at the “Kiosko Catalino Churrería”, located within the park area in front of Cardenal Tavera street and from where we enjoy a spectacular view of the Bisagra Gate. Continue reading “The “churros” of Paseo de La Vega”
Since the beginning of time, the constant conflicts among human beings forced the development of protection measures, especially as they joined together to form communities. This led to the construction of fortresses and enclosed towns or cities. Therefore, only gates lead in and out of the city, the architectural element of greater prominence in this type of fortresses.
Continue reading “The gates of Toledo and San Vicente – Madrid”
The Villa d’Este in Tivoli, Italy, highlights the use of the element of water as its unifying theme, evidenced by the wide variety of fountains that one can find strolling through its gardens.
In our tour of Catholic Europe, it has been very common to find many of the churches relatively close to each other. However, in our visit to Porto in Portugal, we find the so-called Twin Churches, separated by a few meters by the “Casa Escondida” (the hidden house).
Bordered by the “Avenida dos Aliados”, the old city meets the modern one at the “Praça da Liberdade” or Liberty Plaza. In what many consider as the center of the city of Oporto or Porto, surrounding the square are classic and modern buildings and, just a few steps away, the most emblematic historical places of the city. Continue reading “Praça da Liberdade – Porto, Portugal”