Our friend Gadiel Soto took us to “Casa Labra”, a restaurant founded in 1860, in order to enjoy a glass of Vermouth and the Cod Fish croquettes, the most famous and tasty of Madrid. Surely we will be back for more. In our travels we had not tasted a more exquisite croquettes.
From the cafeteria of the Public Library of Toledo also know as the Castile – “La Mancha” Library located on the top floor of the Alcázar, we enjoyed an extraordinary view of night fall over Toledo.
From the Arab word “suq” we get the Spanish term “Zoco” which means Market or marketplace. The municpal “Zoco” of Cordoba was created to promote the traditional arts and crafts of Cordoba. Continue reading “The “Zoco” – Cordoba”
The Patio of the “Cabildo” of the Cathedral of Seville was designed by Hernán Ruiz II in 1562. This small and squared interior patio in enclosed by the walls that interconnect the “antecabildo” with the main sacristy and the chapter house or hall. All the interior’s detailed ornamentation and architectural elements were done in carved stones.
Nocturnal “Écija” with its many towers and belfries lit. Originally known as “Astigi”, “Écija” is a Spanish town within the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. It is located between Seville and Cordoba. Considered to be one of the most rich cultural and historic center of Spain resting upon the remains of Roman, Visigoths and Moorish cultures.
Columns of the Roman Temple in Cordoba. Cordoba, in bearing the title of “Patrice Colony”, built this temple as the the provincial forum during the I and II centuries of Roman domination.
The dome over the main chapel of the Cathedral of Granada is in a hemispheric fashion, constructed with stone and glass. Resulting from a recent restoration, the golden stars on the dome shine anew as they did in the XVII century. The main “oculus” or eye of the dome is surrounded by petal forms. Oil paintings and ten stained glass windows adorn the dome. These narrate the story of salvation.
From above, the main altar of the church or “Colegiata Santa María la Mayor” in Ronda. This temple was built over an old “aljama*” mosque of the city dated to the XIII century. Its construction works began following the re-conquest in 1486 and lasted close to 200 years. As a result, one can find differente architectural styles used, basically Gothic and Mannerist. The latter style incorporates multiple architectural elements without necessarily having a specific function.
*aljama – is a term of Arabic origin used in old official documents in Spain and Portugal to designate the self-governing communities of Moors and Jews living under Christian rule in the Iberian Peninsula.
The Catholic Kings as a sign of appreciation for the victory in the Battle of Toro in 1476 by which Queen Isabel’s succession to the throne was finally resolved, order the construction of this monastery in Toledo. Continue reading “Saint John of the Kings Monastery in Toledo”
This “Puerta del Perdón” or Gate (Gateway) to Forgiveness is considered to be the oldest that grants access to the Cathedral of Seville. This arch’s existence is first referenced in 1196 when the emir al-mu´minin, Abu Yusuf ordered the expansion of the Mosque’s layout.