days...

Simancas (Valladolid - Castilla y León), Spain

Days that make you smile...

 

towns of Castilla y León

Simancas (Valladolid - Castilla y León), Spain

a building full of history

Simancas (Valladolid - Castilla y León), Spain

The Archive of Simancas holds and catalogs many of the historical documents that made Spain what it is today.

General Archive of Simancas

Simancas (Valladolid - Castilla y León), Spain

The first official archive for the Crown of Castille was founded in 1540 in the castle of Simancas.

medieval bridges

Simancas (Valladolid - Castilla y León), Spain

A Roman bridge once stood here, but nothing remains from that bridge.  This bridge was rebuilt in the 13th century containing Romanesque and Gothic features.

 

the land of clay roof tiles

Simancas (Valladolid - Castilla y León), Spain

The tower of the church of El Salvador dates back to the 12th century while the rest of the church was rebuilt in the 16th.

 

take time

Simancas (Castilla y León), Spain

Take time to do what makes your soul happy.

 

sky

Simancas (Valladolid - Castilla y León), Spain

"The sky is the daily bread of the eyes."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Castillian architecture

Ampudia (Palencia - Castilla y León), Spain

Traditional Castillian architecture

 

safe and sound...

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

Safe and sound, inside the walls...
 

standing on the wall

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

shot taken from the wall above...

 

There's no place like home

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

                                                                  -John Howard Payne

protective walls

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

Homes tucked away among protective walls...
 

rooftops amid the wall

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This hilltop fortification was taken from the Moors by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, in 1148.  Throughout the different reigns of the kings, towers, keeps and other parts of the castle have been added, creating a picture perfect spectacle.

 

side streets

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This picturesque town, but at the same time busy with its cultural calendar, celebrates many events throughout the year, including a variety of festivals such as Baroque and classical music, along with opera, harpsichord, piano and contemporary art.  Holy week processions, Christmas and medieval markets as well as chocolate festivals are all on the calendar of events celebrated in Óbidos.

medieval and literary

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This Moorish castle and walls around the city, originating from the 8th century, today form part of the pousadas of Portugal.  A pousada is a chain of luxury, traditional or historical hotels that exist throughout the country.  Next to the castle is the Igreja de Santiago dating from the 12th century, but was completely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake of Lisbon. It was rebuilt at the end of the 18th century and eventually was left to ruin until Ler Devagar (an independent bookshop which translates into "read slowly") decided to take over and convert it into a literary space, along with 7 other locations, turning this medieval wonder into a literary town, with plans to open more in the future.

stepping back in time

Pedraza (Segovia - Castilla y León), Spain

Walking around Pedraza is as if you were stepping back in time...

end of the day

Sepúlveda (Segovia - Castilla y León), Spain

With natural parks and mountains to its east, west and south, this medieval town lies in a privileged location.

in the heart of the Pyrenees

Ochagavía (Navarra), Spain

This medieval village located in the heart of the Pyrenees mountains, just minutes away from the French border, is worth a visit.  Its stone houses along the Anduña River create a picturesque setting for any time of the year.

 

view from the castle

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

This time, as opposed to a previous post for Castelo de Vide, the view of this marvellous medieval town has been taken from the castle.