On the corner of Alcalá street and the Prado Promenade in Madrid, Spain, stands the Cybele Palace, framed by the famous Cibeles Fountain, from which its name derives. This symbol of the city of Madrid, with a certain touch of cathedral, is within walking distance of other famous structures such as the Metropolis Building, the Prado Museum and the Arch or Gateway to Alcalá.
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.
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.
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.
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 city of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, is full of religious buildings of great importance, primarily for being one of the most important pilgrimage centers for the Catholic faith. The Monastery of San Martin Pinario is the largest monastery in all of Galicia. However, its origin is much more humble.
Continue reading “Monastery of San Martin Pinario – Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain”
On the outskirts of the old walled city of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, specifically on a plot of land known as “Val de Deus”, then owned by the Monastery of San Martiño Pinario, Saint Francis of Assisi visualized the construction of a convent and church that later would bear his name.
Continue reading “Convent of Saint Francis of “Valdediós” – Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain”
Just outside the old walled city of Santiago de Compostela, we find “La Alameda de Santiago” or “Parque de la Alameda”. By definition, an “alameda” is an area or walkway with poplars, a tree that belongs to the genus Populus. Over time the term has been extended to include any area that contains trees. Therefore, the park of “La Alameda de Santiago” is full of a great variety of trees. Continue reading “La Alameda – Santiago de Compostela, Spain”
The Holy Apostolic and Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Santiago of Compostela is the home of the tomb of the Apostle Santiago (James the Apostle), known as “Santiago el Mayor” , besides marking the end of the pilgrimages along the Ways of “Santiago”.