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”
Category: Spain
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”
Church of St. James in Ecija
The Church of “Santiago” or the Church of St. James the Elder in Ecija, Sevilla Province, is considered the most interesting buildings and one of the most elegant churches in all of Andalusia. It was declared of cultural interest as a historic monument in 1983. It is the canonical headquarters of the Brotherhood of Santiago, or of students. Continue reading “Church of St. James in Ecija”
The Roman Bridge of Córdoba
The Roman Bridge of Córdoba, also known as the “Old Bridge”, presently has 16 of the original 17 arches and measures across 331 meters (over 361 yards). It was built in the I Century B.C. over the Guadalquivir River and is still in use after more than 20 centuries. Continue reading “The Roman Bridge of Córdoba”
A Saturday in Madrid
Saturdays are usually hectic days and for us even more, but we were in Madrid. And although life in Madrid begins at 10: 00h, we wasted no time and set out early on its conquest. Continue reading “A Saturday in Madrid”
The Mushrooms of Seville
Frankly, we couldn’t imagine the enormous size of this structure. As we approached it we felt like Smurfs under these huge mushrooms. With much curiosity and skepticism we decide to discover what this large structure had to offer. Continue reading “The Mushrooms of Seville”
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””
Finally in Madrid!
Our visit to Spain began in Madrid to later travel to Andalusia and return to Madrid. Therefore, we had a couple of days to explore the city.
Definitely, Madrid is a very cosmopolitan and modern city which holds many great treasures to visit. At the same time, it is the kind of place which can be visited a thousand times and there will always be something new to discover and new experiences to be lived. Continue reading “Finally in Madrid!”