As my time in Spain quickly comes to a close, I figure I´d do a wrap-up of several of the places that we visited that I never had time to write about.
Merida was the capital of one of the Roman provinces when "Spain" was a major part of the Roman Empire. In fact, four Roman Emperors were born in what is now Spain, and Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus both were major players in the Punic Wars fought on the peninsula. Today, you can see the remains of several buildings from Roman times that are being excavated and semi-restored. One is a colossium that hosted gladiator battles as well as mock naval battles. Another was a theatre. There are also the remains of a Roman home with its accompanying gardens. As a history teacher who studied the History of Rome, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Ronda is the site of a massive bridge that connects the plateaus of both sides of a deep river valley. Historically, it was the place where the "rules" of bull-fighting were first written down and codified. It was also the site of one of the most atrocious scenes of Spain´s Civil War in the 1930s where several hundred people were hurled off the cliffs to their death.
Malaga, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, perhaps the most famous artist of the 20th century. There is a museum now at the site of his boyhood home. It is also famous for its fried sea food.
Merida was the capital of one of the Roman provinces when "Spain" was a major part of the Roman Empire. In fact, four Roman Emperors were born in what is now Spain, and Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus both were major players in the Punic Wars fought on the peninsula. Today, you can see the remains of several buildings from Roman times that are being excavated and semi-restored. One is a colossium that hosted gladiator battles as well as mock naval battles. Another was a theatre. There are also the remains of a Roman home with its accompanying gardens. As a history teacher who studied the History of Rome, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Ronda is the site of a massive bridge that connects the plateaus of both sides of a deep river valley. Historically, it was the place where the "rules" of bull-fighting were first written down and codified. It was also the site of one of the most atrocious scenes of Spain´s Civil War in the 1930s where several hundred people were hurled off the cliffs to their death.
Malaga, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, perhaps the most famous artist of the 20th century. There is a museum now at the site of his boyhood home. It is also famous for its fried sea food.
Alcala de Henares is the hometown of Miguel de Cervantes - the author of Don Quijote. His boyhood home is now a museum, decorated as it was when Cervantes was a boy. One room has a fabulous collection of old editions of the world's first novel in various languages. This town is also home to the old University of San Ildefonso. Although the college was later moved to Madrid, the building remains. It was made famous by its founder, the famous Cardinal Cisneros, who is buried in a sepulcre under its chapel. Today it is the home of the University of Alcala de Henares which awards the annual Cervantes literary award to Hispanic authors of merit from both Spain and Latin America.
Astorga is a small town that has some Roman ruins including a massive wall that surrounds most of the inner city area. The Palacio Episcopal was originally built to be the home of the Archbishop. The architect, the famous Antonio Gaudi, made the mansion so gaudy, however, that the Archbishop decided that he couldn´t live there. It now houses the Museum of the Paths and exhibits art and relics with Catholic overtones as well as items associated with the Camino of Santiago. We also made a visit to the Museum of Chocolate with samples of chocolate from different eras as well as different countries.
Astorga is a small town that has some Roman ruins including a massive wall that surrounds most of the inner city area. The Palacio Episcopal was originally built to be the home of the Archbishop. The architect, the famous Antonio Gaudi, made the mansion so gaudy, however, that the Archbishop decided that he couldn´t live there. It now houses the Museum of the Paths and exhibits art and relics with Catholic overtones as well as items associated with the Camino of Santiago. We also made a visit to the Museum of Chocolate with samples of chocolate from different eras as well as different countries.
Leon, is home to one of the most beautiful cathedrals along the Camino de Santiago. Its stain glass windows are among the most famous in the world. The Basilica de San Isidoro is a museum dedicated to the history of Leon during the Middle Ages. At that time, Leon was the capital of the most powerful city state in Spain. Its king bore the title of Imperator Hispaniarum and are buried in a vault under the basilica.
Salamanca is the home to one of the most famous universities in Spain. On the outer facade, a small frog is carved on the crown of a skull. Whoever can find it without help will, according to legend, be extremely successful in academics. (I found it first ;) It also has a famous double cathedral (old and new). The old one has been converted into a museum, and the ¨new¨one (built in the 1500s) is currently in use. It also has a hidden astronaut carved onto the outer facade - once again I spotted it first. The cool thing about this cathedral is that we were able to climb the tower and even walk along the balcony inside the cathedral and along the spires on the roof.
Avila has the best preserved walls of any city in Europe. The massive walls completely surround the Old Town. Although they have been destroyed at times during the religious wars between the Catholics and Moors, they were rebuilt and are as strong as ever. We were able to walk around the perimeter of about one third of the wall, climbing up the turrets for spectacular views of the city.
Cuenca is the site of the famous hanging houses. Built on a plateau overlooking two river valleys on either side, the town goes right to the very edge of the cliffs. A couple of houses even ¨hang¨over the edge. If we lived there, Mom would have had a heart attack before my first birthday.
Well, that´s all! See you stateside!
Salamanca is the home to one of the most famous universities in Spain. On the outer facade, a small frog is carved on the crown of a skull. Whoever can find it without help will, according to legend, be extremely successful in academics. (I found it first ;) It also has a famous double cathedral (old and new). The old one has been converted into a museum, and the ¨new¨one (built in the 1500s) is currently in use. It also has a hidden astronaut carved onto the outer facade - once again I spotted it first. The cool thing about this cathedral is that we were able to climb the tower and even walk along the balcony inside the cathedral and along the spires on the roof.
Avila has the best preserved walls of any city in Europe. The massive walls completely surround the Old Town. Although they have been destroyed at times during the religious wars between the Catholics and Moors, they were rebuilt and are as strong as ever. We were able to walk around the perimeter of about one third of the wall, climbing up the turrets for spectacular views of the city.
Cuenca is the site of the famous hanging houses. Built on a plateau overlooking two river valleys on either side, the town goes right to the very edge of the cliffs. A couple of houses even ¨hang¨over the edge. If we lived there, Mom would have had a heart attack before my first birthday.
Well, that´s all! See you stateside!
2 comments:
That's cool Senor Allred!!!!!
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