Gran Vía / Alcalá

Madrid, Spain

In the heart of Madrid where the famous Gran Vía branches off Alcalá Street, two very emblematic buildings can be found, La Unión y el Fénix (original owners) on the left and the Grassy Building on the right.  La Unión y el Fénix insurance building was designed in 1911 by two French architects, Jules and Raymond Février.  In the 1970s, this building was sold to Metrópolis, another insurance company, who are the owners today.  The Grassy building contained homes and a prestigious watch shop on the ground floor run by Alejandro Grassy, a Swiss watchmaker.  This building was designed by a Spanish architect, Eladio Laredo, in 1915.  Today it is home to a watch museum.

I love observing the details of many of the magnificent buildings that can be found in Madrid.  Often times, with the hustle and bustle of life, we don't take the time to really step back and take a look at the beauty that surrounds us.

Compañía Asturiana de Minas

Madrid, Spain

This building often gets overlooked.  If you're ever walking by Plaza España down Bailén street, stop and take a look at the detail of this wonderful building.  The Mine Company of Asturias had it built at the end of the 19th century, designed by the architect Manuel Martínez Ángel.  This architect also lived here, but was tragically shot outside his door by one of his students for having failed an important exam that would have entitled him to a prestigious job working for the city hall.  This building was used later by the government of Madrid as the central office for culture until 2012.  Today it sits empty... such a pity.

The next time I go to Madrid, I'll have to get a picture that isn't quite so crooked!

bubbles in the Plaza Mayor

Madrid, Spain

The Plaza Mayor of Madrid dates back to the late 1500s and has gone through many transformations over the centuries due to a series of fires in 1631, 1670 and 1790.  Nine entrances lead into this grand square which is lined with 237 balconies decorating the three-story residential buildings on all four sides.  Historically this square was used for bullfights, markets, soccer games, public executions and an array of other things.  Today it is surrounded by shops, restaurants and cafés and is used as a place to gather and entertain like the man in the photo making gigantic bubbles!

Atocha

Madrid, Spain

The first train station in Madrid was inaugurated in 1851 and destroyed by fire years later.  In the same space, this new station was built and opened in 1892 under the name Estación de Madrid Atocha (Madrid Atocha Railway Station), named after a nearby basilica Nuestra Señora de Atocha (Our Lady of Atocha).  The architect of the new station was Alberto de Palacio y Elissague, a former student of the famous Alexandre Gustave Eiffel.

Peña de Alájar

Alájar, (Huelva - Andalucía) Spain

This bell tower sits high above the town of Alájar and offers incredible views of the countryside of Huelva.  There is a pilgrimage every September 8th to the 16th century hermitage of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles located just a few meters from this lookout point.

Plaza del Marqués de Aracena

 Aracena, (Huelva - Andalucía) Spain

Due to the new growth at the end of the 19th century, many high-class families from Seville came here to build their summer residences.  These stately homes surround this square (Plaza del Marqués de Aracena) creating a fusion of modernism with Andalusian regionalism.  The building on the left, the Arias Montano Casino Society, was designed in 1893 by the Spanish architect Aníbal González, the same architect who designed the Plaza España in Seville.  This building was used as a social club for the thriving land owners and local aristocracy.

Aracena

Aracena, (Huevla - Andalucía) Spain

Aracena is one of the 28 whitewashed towns in the province of Huelva that make up the Sierra de Aracena Natural Park system.  A 13th century castle built over an old Muslim fortress overlooks this town, known today for the frequently visited cave located directly below the castle extending over 2000 meters, of which more than 1000 meters can be visited.  Aracena is also known for its tasty Iberian cured ham produced from acorn-fed black pigs.

Grazalema

Grazalema, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

The small town of Grazalema is one of many whitewashed villages found within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.  This park is great for hiking, offering peaks as high as 1654 meters, but unfortunately this particular town, curiously enough, registers the highest annual rainfall in the entire Iberian Peninsula, despite the fact that many other places in Andalucía suffer from drought year after year.

Did it rain when I visited Grazalema?  -Yes, it did.  

When is the best time to visit?  June - September.  

What month on average registers the most rain?  -December.  

When did I visit?  -December!  

Oops!  :)

benches

Tarifa, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

Oh, the stories these benches have heard...  :)

Strait of Gibraltar

Tarifa, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

The Strait of Gibraltar separates Europe from Africa and joins the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea.  A little over 14 km (under 9 miles) marks the distance between the two narrowest points of this body of water.  Note the silhouette of Africa in the distance in this picture.

Because of the strong winds caused by the straits, Tarifa is a wind and kitesurfing mecca.  One of the beaches in Tarifa goes on for 10 km (6 miles) along the southwestern coastline of Spain giving surfers plenty of room to catch some waves.  Birdwatching, especially the migration of storks to and from Africa in spring and autumn, is also a popular activity for many people, along with whale and dolphin watching.

Tarifa

Tarifa, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

Tarifa is a wonderful town on the southernmost coast of Spain and is considered the southernmost point of the European continent as well.  It is a laid-back whitewashed town full of narrow labyrnth-like streets and was under Muslim rule between 710-1292.  The church in the picture (San Mateo) was built on the remains of an ancient mosque in 1506.

This picture was taken from the roof-top of one of the coolest places I've ever stayed, Pensión Correo, an old restored house with a patio in the heart of the historical town center.

Andalusian patio

 

Arcos de la Frontera, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

The magic of walking down the streets in these picturesque whitewashed villages is when you stumble across the door of a private home open and discover this!

Arcos de la Frontera

Arcos de la Frontera, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

Arcos de la Frontera is another of the many whitewashed villages spotted throughout the countryside of Andalucía.  Built on a ridge, serving as a natural fortress in medieval times, this town full of narrow cobblestone streets overlooking the Guadalete River is surrounded by wheat and sunflower fields, vineyards and orchards.

It's quite the sight to see when driving down the road and an even bigger thrill to explore its steep winding streets and experience it firsthand.

Sand dunes

Bolonia, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

How can you beat this?!

Bolonia is a great place for an escape.  This massive sand dune of over 30 meters in height, surrounded by pine trees and other vegetation, overlooks the beach of Bolonia.  The coast of Africa can also be seen from afar when you gaze across the Strait of Gibralter.

Vejer de la Frontera

Vejer de la Frontera, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

This gem sitting atop a hill less than five miles (8 km) from the unspoiled white-sand beaches of the Atlantic Ocean was under Muslim rule for more than 500 years (711-1248).  It is surrounded by orchards and olive groves making agriculture and fruit-farming its chief industries.

Remote whitewashed villages like this one are spotted all over the countryside, making beautiful backdrops as you are exploring this alluring area of Spain.  Vejer de la Frontera is a perfect place to get lost by wandering its steep narrow streets and admiring its stunning views.  This is by far one of my favorite places in all of Spain!

Treat yourself by staying at the charming la Botica, exact place from where this picture is taken!  I absolutely love Vejer de la Frontera!  :)

Bolonia

Bolonia, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

Ever feel like dropping what you're doing and taking a break?  
Go ahead.  
Go for it!

Bulls on the beach!

Bolonia, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

Bolonia is a slice of heaven, located at almost the southernmost tip of Spain on the Atlantic Ocean.  There is an enormous sand dune from which you can enjoy beautiful views of the endless beach below (2.4 miles long, 3.8 km and an average 230 feet wide, 70 m).  Also found next to the beach are the ruins of a Roman town, Baelo Claudia, considered to be the most complete Roman town ruins yet uncovered in Spain and then an important trading center between Europe and Africa.  Cows and bulls wander freely throughout this town of a little over 100 people.

This area is at the top of my list of places I have visited.  If you're looking for peace and tranquility, this is it!  The sound of the water alone is enough to make you want to stay forever.

Toro

Toro, (Zamora - Castilla y León) Spain

The town of Toro, in the province of Zamora, is known as a wine producing region located along the Duero River.  Its wine history goes long back; it is said that Christopher Columbus took Toro wine with him on his expedition in 1492 because of its ability to withstand the long journey, due to its structure and body.  The Collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor, dating to the 12th century, is found at the end of this street and is an example of traditional Romanesque architecture.

Frómista

Frómista, (Palencia - Castilla y León) Spain

This 11th century church, San Martín de Tours, found in Frómista along the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James), is a wonderful example of Spanish Romanesque architecture.  More than 300 decorative figures (with animal, human, mythological and fantastic figures including some erotic scenes) run along the eaves of the church.

It is said that the province of Palencia in Castilla y León has the greatest concentration of Romanesque churches and shrines in Europe.  If you enjoy seeing this style of architecture (as I do), you really do have an endless number of possibilities of things to discover in this area!

Casa de las Conchas

Salamanca, (Castilla y León) Spain

This 16th century palace was named for the more than 300 scallop shells clinging to its façade.  This construction has both Gothic and Renaissance influences on the outside; the decorative and protective wrought iron window bars represent a superb example of Gothic and the ornamental façade decoration is very representative of Renaissance times.  The interior two-tiered patio has Mudejar and Renaissance influences.  Today this palace is used as an art gallery, the public library of Salamanca as well as the office of tourism.

Coca

Coca, (Segovia - Castilla y León) Spain

This 15th century castle in Coca is one of the few fortresses that was not built on top of a hill.  It is made of brick, typical of Mudejar style architecture which emerged as an architectural style in the 12th century on the Iberian peninsula.  This style is the result of Muslim and Christian cultures living side by side and is considered a reinterpretation of Western cultural styles through Islamic influences.

Sepúlveda

Sepúlveda, (Segovia - Castilla y León) Spain

Sepúlveda is another medieval town like many others to be found throughout the country.  It is set in the heart of the Hoces del Río Duratón Natural Park.  Gorges as high as 100 meters can be found in this park formed by the passing of the Duratón River.

This area is known for its tasty roast lamb and garlic soup.  Find out for yourself in one of the many restaurants to be found in Sepúlveda!

Christopher Columbus

Valladolid, (Castilla y León) Spain

This statue in Valladolid pays tribute to Christopher Columbus, who died in Valladolid May 20, 1506 and was buried here initially.  According to historians, his remains were then relocated to Sevilla in 1509, to Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic in 1542, to Havana, Cuba in 1795 and finally back to the cathedral in Sevilla in 1898, where his tomb can be found today.

Plaza del Coso

Peñafiel, (Valladolid - Castilla y León) Spain

This medieval square, called the Plaza del Coso, is found in the middle of Peñafiel and has been used for bullfighting, among other things, since the 15th century.  This makes it one of the oldest bullfighting rings still used in Spain.  Surrounding the square are private homes; however, since medieval times the right to use their windows and balconies during bullfights are owned by the town who auctions them off to the highest bidders.  Access to the square is by means of two streets.

In the distance you can see the 9th century castle of Peñafiel which currently hosts the Wine Museum of Valladolid.

Peñafiel

Peñafiel, (Valladolid - Castilla y León) Spain

This castle perched above the town of Peñafiel dates back to the 9th century.  It sits atop a hill full of interconnected underground cellars (bodegas) which were traditionally used to store wine to maintain it at constant temperatures.  The bodegas have chimney vents and can be seen throughout the castle area as well as all around the town.  Many of these bodegas are still used today.  This medieval town is in the heart of the Ribera del Duero wine region, containing a large number of wineries.  Today the castle holds the Wine Museum of Valladolid.

Clay roof tiles

Urueña, (Valladolid - Castilla y León) Spain

There is a wall surrounding Urueña which was built in the 12th and 13th centuries.  This picture was taken from the wall-walk, which is still intact today, allowing you to stroll around most of this medieval town's perimeter from where you can see the Castilian landscape on one side of you and the clay roof tiles of this fortified town on the other.

I particularly like walking around the wall high up to get a glimpse of these typical tiles covering the entire village.  I love clay roof tiles!  (Catching a sunset from here isn't too shabby either!)

Notice the stork nest on the bellfry in the distance.

(Santa María de Azoque church - built in the 16th-18th centuries)

 

Stork nests

Barruelo del Valle, (Valladolid - Castilla y León) Spain

In all honesty, it is unusual not to see a stork nest on top of a church tower in Castilla y León!  White storks make their nests with large sticks and use them for several years.  They lay eggs once a year and can lay as many as four at a time, while curiously both parents incubate and feed the offspring.  Nests range in size from 1-2 meters deep and 1-1.5 meters wide, weighing anywhere from 130-550 lbs (60-250 kg)!  

I love hearing the sound of a stork.  If you've never heard one before, it makes a loud clattering sound by rapidly opening and closing its beak.

(Picture of San Pelayo church from the 16/17th century)

 

Las Médulas

Las Médulas, (León - Castilla y León) Spain

This unique area of Spain used to be the most important gold mine of the Roman Empire more than 2000 years ago.  The landscape you can see in this picture is the result of mining some five million Roman pounds of gold over a period of 250 years.  The Romans used a system of hydraulic mining by boring a series of narrow cavities into the mountains and subsequently using the pressure of large quantities of water, supplied from area streams and rivers brought in through a series of aqueducts, to break up the rock and extract the gold.

This area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

(Click on the picture to see it bigger.)

Castles

 Torrelobatón, (Valladolid - Castilla y León) Spain

This 13th century castle in Torrelobatón is one of many to be found throughout the countryside of Castilla y León.  It's worth it to go up the towers to feel the immensity of all that surrounds you and at the same time imagine what life was like back then.

the fields of Castilla

Urueña, (Valladolid - Castilla y León) Spain

It doesn't take long for the green fields to turn brown after a few days under the hot sun.  This picture was taken from the walls surrounding a very small Castilian village called Urueña, which was also declared Villa del Libro (Book town) in 2007, one of only two in Spain and over 30 in the world.  Standing at the village walls you have a 360º view of the fields surrounding this fortified medieval town with the majority of its houses made of adobe.  An 11th century Romanesque church/hermitage (Nuestra Señora de la Anunciada) can be seen in the distance along with two dovecotes, one square and one circular, a common sight in Castilla.

Image of the walls of Urueña taken from: http://mariocrespo.blogspot.com.es/2013/01/uruena-villa-del-libro-una-cronica.html

Castilian countryside

Tiedra, (Valladolid - Castilla y León) Spain

Castilla y León is covered with fields that produce several grains such as wheat, barley, oats and rye.  The landscape is also dotted with the structure you can see in this picture, a palomar  (dovecote or pigeonaire), which is usually circular or square in shape, containing pigeonholes for the birds to nest.

José Zorrilla

Valladolid, (Castilla y León) Spain

This square (Plaza Zorrilla) is dedicated to José Zorrilla, a Romantic poet and dramatist who was born in Valladolid.  Although he came from a well-off family, Zorrilla spent many years of his life in poverty as his father did not support his passion for writing.  He lived in different cities of Spain as well as countries like France, England, Mexico and Cuba.  Zorrilla's most well-known piece of work is Don Juan Tenorio.

Santo Domingo de Silos

Santo Domingo de Silos, (Burgos - Castilla y León) Spain

This Benedictine abbey, still inhabited with monks today, was built in the 11th century.  The cloister is a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture and every capital's decoration is unique.

It was here where the monks did their Gregorian chants and became internationally famous in the mid 1990s with the recording of an album entitled "Chant", making it as high as #3 on the Billboard 200 music charts.

Las Merindades

Pedrosa de Valdeporres, (Burgos - Castilla y León) Spain

The area of Las Merindades is filled with varying landscapes: from mountains, gorges, plateaus, valleys, beechwood forests and pastures to small lakes, abundant rivers, streams and waterfalls.  It's the perfect place for nature lovers!

Blue door in Lisbon

Lisbon, Portugal

Walking up to the Moorish castle of São Jorge, I came across this old blue wooden door.  What's its story?  I don't know, but every time I look at this picture it makes me smile.

Door at the Alhambra

Granada, (Andalucía) Spain

This magnificent and mind-blowing UNESCO World Heritage Site (1984) is one of the most visited in Spain.  It was originally constructed as a fortress in 889 and then converted into an Islamic royal palace for the Muslim Emirs in Spain.  Their reign ended in 1492 when the Catholic Monarchs took it over.

Cathedral door in Valladolid

Valladolid, (Castilla y León) Spain

As I said, I love old doors!  So here's another one  showing detail from the unfinished 16th century cathedral of Valladolid.

door knocker

Ciudad Rodrigo, (Salamanca - Castilla y León) Spain 

In the Middle Ages door knockers were very common to decorate homes and often times were frightening faces of gargoyles, dogs or lions and, apart from announcing your presence, were meant to ward off evil spirits.  During the Renaissance era, they become more ornate and were cast into more delicate shapes focusing more on an interest in art and design.

The next time you knock on someone's door, imagine doing it with one of these!

old doors

Lerma, (Burgos - Castilla y León) Spain

I love old wooden doors!  I have photographed more than my share, some plain, others with ornate locks, hinges, knockers, knobs or other captivating decorations.  It always makes me wonder what lies behind them.

Frías

Frías, (Burgos - Castilla y León) Spain

This fortified town set atop a hill shows records dating as far back as 867 when the Moslems were conquered in this area.  It was strategically placed close to the Ebro River between the Cantabrian coastline and the plains.  As can be appreciated in the picture, the houses took advantage of the geography of the land and were built upon the rock, often times consisting of three floors using a type of limestone and wooden beams for their construction.

Towns like Frías marvel me and whenever I visit a place like this, I can't help but to imagine what life was like, let alone how they built these hanging houses sitting on the steep rock.

Castro de Santa Tegra

Monte de Santa Tegra, (Galicia) Spain

What can be seen in this picture is a pre-Roman Celtic hill fort settlement (castro), typical to the northwestern regions of the Iberian Peninsula.  Many of these settlements lasted until the arrival of the Romans.  The Castro de Santa Tegra, dating back to the 1st century BC, or possibly before, is an excellent example of the castro culture which contained hundreds of huts laid out in neighborhoods and streets enclosed within a surrounding wall and ditches.  These circular shaped huts, each of roughly the same size, were topped with a cone shaped thatch roof.

The Celtic hill fort settlements were typically set on mountains and in elevated positions or close to the coast using the geography of the land as a natural defense system.  The Castro de Santa Tegra sits at 340 meters and has an amazing panoramic view of the Minho River estuary flowing into the Atlantic Ocean creating a natural border between Spain and Portugal.

Panorama view image taken from http://www.galiciaenfotos.com/tag/santa-tecla/

Rías Baixas

Rías Baixas - Ría de Vigo, (Galicia) Spain

The Rías Baixas, or Lower Rias, take their name from the six large rias, or flooded river valleys, which form estuaries along the southern coast of Galicia.  Portugal lies to its south.  

Galicia relies heavily on its fishing industry and as a result, the coastline is dotted with small and large fishing ports containing an array of boats.  My favorites, by far, are the small colorful wooden ones!

Cíes Islands

Cíes Islands, (Galicia) Spain

The Cíes Islands are an archipelago off the southwestern coast of Galicia declared a Nature Reserve in 1980 and, with other islands along the coast, make up the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park as of 2002.  The islands are very mountainous with rough vertical cliffs on one side and picture perfect sand dune beaches on the other.
  

Combarro

Combarro, (Galicia) Spain

Combarro is a curious little fishing village in southwestern Galicia known for its more than 30 hórreos lining the waterfront.  These hórreos were originally used to store grains, but nowadays they are mostly used for the storage of just about anything as well as for decoration.  If you walk along the street just behind the hórreos you will find many modest granite houses with stone balconies as well as small bars and restaurants serving fresh seafood and orujo (distilled spirits).

You really can't leave Galicia until you've tried at least one of the many types of orujo produced here.  As you walk up and down the streets of Combarro, it is not uncommon to see people selling it homemade right out of their home.
 

Hórreos in Galicia

Combarro, (Galicia) Spain

Hórreos, or granaries in English, can be commonly found throughout the north of Spain and Portugal, but with the highest numbers in the regions of Galicia and Asturias.  It is said that more than 30,000 can be found in Galicia alone!   Hórreos are typically made of stone or wood and propped up on pillars with a staddle stone at the top to keep its contents dry and free of rodents.  Depending on the geographic area, hórreos can take on other names; for example, in Combarro they are typically called palleiras.

Monte Igueldo

Monte Igueldo - San Sebastián, (Gipuzkoa - Basque Country) Spain

It's worth taking the funicular up Monte Igueldo just to see this awe-inspiring view of the city of San Sebastián and its beaches below.  At the top you come across a hotel as well as a curious old amusement park still in operation, inaugurated in 1911.  On a clear day, (not exactly the case in this picture!) you can also admire the surrounding coastline and mountains.

Altzo

Altzo, (Gipuzkoa - Basque Country) Spain

Picturesque villages like this one tucked away in the mountains are scattered all over the Basque countryside.  If you are a nature lover, you will never run out of things to do here as there are an unlimited number of hill walking and hiking possibilities.

Errezil

Errezil, (Gipuzkoa - Basque Country) Spain

Errezil is a town of a few more than 600 people set in an idyllic valley in the middle of Guipúzcoa, one of the three provinces making up the Spanish Basque Country.  The houses that appear in the picture are typical baserri, in the Basque language, or caserío, in Spanish, and can be found throughout the Basque countryside.  They are very large half-timbered stone-built farmhouses normally built with three floors, a sloping roof and large balconies.  The ground floor typically has the stables on one side and the kitchen, washroom and sitting room on the other.  The floor above is for the bedrooms which are normally located above the stables minimizing the need for heating.  The top floor is an attic used for storing produce or an area for indoor activities requiring more space.  These self-sufficient farmhouses are passed on within the family for generations.

The house on the left was built 500 years ago and has been recently restored to be used as a Bed & Breakfast (B&B) today.  B&Bs are a popular choice among people in Spain for a weekend getaway.  I, for one, love staying in them when spending time away from home.  They're a great way to explore an area, talk with the locals and enjoy the nature around you.

B&B Etxeberri in Errezil is one of my favorites!

Peine del Viento

San Sebastián, (Gipuzkoa - Basque Country) Spain

This sculpture by Eduardo Chillida (1924-2002) is probably one of the most well-known pieces of his work, Peine del Viento or in English "Comb of the Wind".  It is made up of three massive pieces of steel (two of them are seen in this picture), each weighing over 10 tons, anchored to the rocky coastline at the end of the city's line of beaches.  The architect responsible for this layout is Luis Peña Ganchegui (1926-2009).

San Sebastián has always been a very special city for me to visit ever since I've been living in Spain and I can't think of a time when I was there and didn't take advantage of this magical place.  It's easy to lose track of the time when you're here gazing out to sea lost in your thoughts.  It's even more exciting when the sea is rough and the waves are crashing against the rocks stimulating all five senses.

Hondarribia

Hondarribia, (Gipuzkoa - Basque Country) Spain

Hondarribia is found only 20 kilometers east of San Sebastián, making it the last town in  Spain before arriving to France; the Bidasoa River separates it from this neighboring country.

The vibrant colors of the old part of town along with the charming fishing boats make for a delightful afternoon stroll.  Go to an outdoor café at the harbor and enjoy the stunning views of nature all around you.  You can't go wrong!