Tuesday, February 14, 2012

salsa in Madrid

...to dance the night away!

bienvenidos a CATS



live performances!!



not sure about this couple?!




Saturday, February 11, 2012

Salamanca

Salamanca is the most important university city in Spain & is known for its contributions to the teaching of the Spanish language. The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is the oldest university in Spain & the 3rd oldest western university.

Facade of the church of La Clerecía (17th century)




New Cathedral of Salamanca (16th century) with the Old Cathedral (12 century) hidden behind


a couple slabs of fried fish! (yum)... don't forget the ham on top ;)


Patio de Escuelas


University of Salamanca


qué friiiiiiio!!!! it was amazingly COLD!!


Convento de San Esteban (16th century)


Friday, February 10, 2012

Granada

Granada (pomegranate, in English) is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Known for its Alhambra fortress, the Albayzín (Moorish quarter) & Cathedral. The Alhambra was the last stronghold of the Moorish kingdom in Spain & finally fell to Isabel & Ferdinand (the Catholic monarchs) in 1492.

la Alhambra (Red Castle) consists of 4 parts
- Palacios Nazaries
- Charles V's Palace
- Generalife Gardens
- Alcazaba



1. Palacios Nazaries - the jewel of the Alhambra, the 14th century Moorish royal palace







2. Palacio de Charles V - added in the 16th century after conquering the Muslims


3. Generalife Gardens




4. Alcazaba (citadel) - the oldest & most ruined part of the Alhambra complex from the 9th century


Torre de la Vela - This watchtower is where the flag of Ferdinand & Isabella was 1st raised on January 2, 1492 - the end of the Reconquista (reconquest) of Spain.


The Albayzín is the old Arabic quarter located on the hill opposite the Alhambra, characterized by cobble stoned streets & white washed houses.


Catedral y Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) - holds the tombs of Queen Isabel & King Ferdinand

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Sevilla

Sevilla (Seville, in English) is known as the city with a soul... with flamenco dancing, bullfighting, & famous ferias (festivals) la Semana Santa y Feria de Sevilla. In the 17th century, Sevilla was Spain's largest & wealthiest city, until the Spanish Empire collapsed. Also, there was The Great Plague of Seville (1647–1652) that killed up to 25% of Seville's population. Now, with a population of 704,000, it is the 4th largest city in Spain.

I met up with Kelly, a long-time friend from home


street markets are the BEST!


Metropol Parasol (locally known as Las Setas, the mushrooms) was designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer. It took 6 years to build, opened in March 2011, y cuesta 86 millones de Euros.


trajes de flamenca


Catedral de Sevilla - The largest Gothic cathedral & the 3rd largest church in the world. In 1401, the Reconquista Christians bragged, "We'll build a cathedral so huge that anyone who sees it will take us for madmen." It holds the tomb of Christopher Columbus!



La Giralda in the background


Torre del Oro (y Rio Guadalquivir) - built by the Moors in the 13th century as a watchtower & defensive barrier on the river


Plaza de España - built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929



Palacio de San Telmo - formerly the University of Sailors, & later the Seminary, is now the seat for the Andalusian Autonomous Government


Fashion Art by Manuel Fernández



dessert... it's what's for dinner ;)

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Córdoba

Interesting history of Córdoba
- founded in 169 BC (Roman colony)
- captured in 711 by an Arab/Berber Muslim army
- in 766 was chosen as the capital of the independent Arab Muslim emirate of al-Andalus (Iberian Peninsula, in Arabic)
- in the 10th and 11th centuries, Córdoba was one of the most advanced cities in the world as well as a great cultural, political, financial and economic centre
- la Mezquita - the Great Mosque of Córdoba was built from 784-987
- On 29 June 1236, after a siege of several months, it was captured by King Ferdinand III of Castile, during the Spanish Reconquista

Mezquita-Catedral & Puente Romano (Roman bridge)
this Mezquita was founded by Abd ar-Rahman I in 785
in the 16th century its centre was ripped out by Charles V to construct a cathedral




Puerta del Puente (entranceway of the bridge)


Plaza del Potro (mentioned in Don Quijote)
hang-out for traders & adventurers in the 16th & 17th centuries





a ruined Roman temple, partly restored
built during the second half of the 1st century



it wasn't me