Tag: Spain

Blog English, Country, Spain, Zamora

The Zamora Castle, Spain

In the highest part of the Spanish city of Zamora, in Castilla-León, is located its castle, built on rock and adapted to the natural and irregular shape of the terrain. According to the chronicles, its construction was ordered by Alfonso II, however, recent studies by historians suggest that it was actually Fernando I who ordered its construction. Therefore, it is estimated that the castle dates from the mid-11th century, although very few traces remain from that period. Continue reading “The Zamora Castle, Spain” →

"Zaragoza", Blog English, Country, Spain

The Aljafería Palace, Zaragoza, Spain

The Aljafería Palace, a majestic fortified building, was built in Zaragoza, Spain during the second half of the 11th century. Its construction was ordered by Abu Ja’far Ahmad ibn Sulaymán al-Muqtadir Billah, known by his honorific title of Al-Muqtadir, “the Powerful”, as his recreational residence. The name of Aljafería is derived from the pronoun of Al-Muqtadir, Abu Ya’far, and from “Ya’far”, “Al-Yafariyya”, which evolved into “Aliafaria” and from there to “Aljafería”. Initially, the construction was carried out outside the Roman wall, on the plain known as La Almozara, a place where Muslims carried out their military exercises. With the passing of time and urban expansion, the building has been integrated into the city. Continue reading “The Aljafería Palace, Zaragoza, Spain” →

Blog English, Country, Spain, Zamora

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” →

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” →

"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” →

"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” →

"Madrid", Blog English, Country, Spain

Royal Theater of Madrid

When making your way to take the Metro Opera Station in Madrid’s Isabel II Square, or strolling through the gardens of the Plaza of the Orient, there is one building that stands out very elegantly, it is the Royal Theater. It is the first institution for the performing arts in Spain, the National opera house and considered one of the main opera coliseums internationally. Its program ranges from its renowned opera productions, ballet, dance, flamenco, concerts, to entertainment and shows for the whole family. Continue reading “Royal Theater of Madrid” →

Blog English

Hermitage of “San Antonio de la Florida”, Madrid

Arriving at #5 of the “San Antonio de la Florida” Roundabout on the banks of the Manzanares River in Madrid, you look straight ahead and find not one, but two identical hermitages. Now, it is the so-called San Antonio de la Florida hermitage on the right side of the square, the reason for arriving there. It is the only one, of three hermitages, dedicated to San Antonio de Padua that has survived of those that existed on the outskirts of Madrid. It is known as the hermitage of “San Antonio de la Florida” because it is located on the “Paseo de la Florida”, where formerly stood the Palace of Florida, acquired by Charles IV. Today, there are no remains of this palace as it was demolished in the 19th century to enable the construction of the new “Estación del Norte” (now the Príncipe Pío Railroad Station). Continue reading “Hermitage of “San Antonio de la Florida”, Madrid” →