Tag: Wall

Ávila with the Monsignor

Ávila, Spain – September 12, 2010

The Monsignor and I arrived in Ávila at about 10:15. We stopped by the tourist information office and picked up our obligatory maps of Ávila. Many parts of the city date from the late 1000s to the mid-1100s.

An odd opening along the roadside on the way to Ávila.

The view north along Calle de San Segundo. The street hugs the ancient wall of Ávila.

A coat of arms above the Puerta del Alcazar.

A sculpture commemorating the Holy Week of June 25, 1999.

We walked around the exterior of the Cathedral of Ávila took some photos. At about 10:40 we went inside the main chapel of the cathedral and attended 11:00 mass. This was the second mass I have attended at this cathedral. For me, the beautiful high alter makes it rather difficult to concentrate on the mass. The high altar must be some 40 feet tall. It is built of ornately carved wood and then apparently overlaid with gold leaf. This work frames some 24 paintings depicting various scenes from the life of Jesus, the Evangelists, and the Apostles. I was in awe.

A poster advertising a recent bullfight.

After mass, I took the Monsignor into the sacristy to meet the Spanish priest that had just said mass, even though there was a sign at the entrance that said: “do not enter”. The Monsignor introduced himself and spoke to the other priest for a little while in Spanish. That father had been a priest for 15 years. The Monsignor told him he had been a priest for 34 years.

The Spanish priest was very nice. The sacristy was quite ornate too.

When we were done talking to the priest, we walked around to the front of the cathedral and went in for a tour. The admission for the tour was 4€ (US$4.88) each. In a sense it is too bad we saw the cathedral in Toledo first, because nothing else holds a candle to that cathedral. There were a lot of nice things, but it was just not the same. The period of construction of the Cathedral of Ávila stretched from the 12th to the 14th centuries.

An interior courtyard of the Ávila Cathedral.

After leaving the cathedral, we walked to the Convent of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Outside the convent was a small bookstore. In a room at the back of the bookstore, there were some relics of St. Teresa; including the sole of one of her sandals and her right ring finger, complete with a ring. That was a little odd.

Walking around the corner we came to the Museo de Santa Teresa (Saint Teresa Museum). Admission to that museum was only 2€ (US$2.44). The museum has a lot of artifacts from the life and times of Saint Teresa. I thought one exhibit was very interesting; the recreation of her room in the monastery. It was very spartan. After we left, they locked the door behind us. They must have been closing for lunch. We went back upstairs and into the church. A mass was in progress so we did not stay long. Neither of us really liked what little we saw of that church.

Traffic on the street at the southern wall.

The outskirts of the southern part of Ávila.

The tile artwork at the Convent of St. Teresa reads, “This is my house.”

The church at the Convent of St. Teresa.

The church at the Convent of St. Teresa as seen through the Puerta de Santa Teresa.

We went back outside, gathered our thoughts, and headed to the mansion of the Polentinos Family. We thought we might be able to tour the mansion. As it turned out, we could not. The mansion is now the General Military Archive of Avila. We were only allowed to look at the courtyard. We could not take any photos.

From there we found our way to the church of St. John the Baptist. The church was not open; however, there was a sign on the side of the church that noted St. Teresa was baptized there on April 4, 1515.

One of the narrow streets inside the ancient walls of Ávila.

We decided it was time for lunch. We sat at an outdoor cafe on the west side of the Plaza del Mercado Chico. The lunch was marginal. It took forever to get our server to bring us the check. It was a good thing we were not in a hurry.

Stopping for lunch at El portalón (The Gate) in Ávila.

We left our lunch location and headed to the entrance to the city wall. It cost 4€ per person to climb up on and walk along the wall. The wall in Ávila is purported to be the best-preserved medieval wall in all of Europe. Construction of the wall began in about 1090. The wall has some 88 turrets which aided in the defensive nature of the wall. I think one of the most striking gates into the city is the Puerta del Alcazar. It is near the sculpture of St. Teresa of Avila. A smaller gate that opens directly to the Convent of St. Teresa is the Puerta de la Santa.

We went up on the wall about midway on the east side. We walked along the top of the wall about two-thirds of the way along the north wall. We came down from the wall at the Puerta del Carmen.

From many locations inside the walls, one can spot the cathedral.

The main entrance to the Cathedral of Ávila.

Detail of the carving above the main entrance to the cathedral.

On the wall looking toward the Cathedral of Ávila.

The San Vicente Basilica as seen from the wall.

Then we walked along the base of the wall all the way back to the Basilica of St. Vincent. The Basilica was built on the site of martyrdom of three Christian siblings which occurred in about 306. The name of one of the siblings was Vincent, thus the name of the basilica.

Construction of the current Basilica began in the 1000s. In the basilica, near the main altar, is the Tomb of the Holy Martyrs. This tomb dates from the 1100s and contains the remains of the three siblings.

The north wall as seen from the street level.

The Tomb of the Holy Martyrs in the basilica.

On the way back home, the road winds down toward El Escorial.

After touring the basilica, we bought a couple of bottles of water and went back to the car for the drive home.

Segovia with the Monsignor

Segovia, Spain – September 10, 2010

Today I was able to visit Segovia with our favorite Monsignor. He is here visiting for several days. We could not have asked for a more perfect day. It was not too hot and the sky was an amazing azure blue all day.

Going back to some of the same cities my family and I have visited allows me the opportunity to focus on different aspects of the city. On this particular visit to Segovia, I focused on the interior of the cathedral, different views of the Alcázar, and a new site, the Church of the True Cross (Iglesia de la Vera Cruz).

The Monsignor and I took the M-601 highway to Segovia. The city is only about 66 kilometers (41 miles) from our home. As we got into the mountains, we stopped a couple of times so the Monsignor could take some photos. At one of our stops, near a small stream, we were passed by several vintage Jaguars, Aston Martins, and Mercedes. There was obviously some sort of rally going the opposite direction.

When we arrived in Segovia, I parked in an underground lot. It is the most unique parking garage in that there are lights above each parking space. If the space is empty the light is green. If there is a vehicle in the space the light is red. There are blue lights for handicap spots. The lights make it so easy to find a space. Rather ingenious!

Monsignor Henry composing a shot of the aqueduct.

The view along the west side of the aqueduct.

Monsignor Henry was wondering why I was taking more photographs of him rather than the sites!

Several parts of the parapet near the aqueduct had names scrawled upon them.

Shadow-play on the side of one of the buildings along our route.

A car of the Guardia Civil. They are a military unit that handles police duties.

The Torreón de los Arias Dávila (Tower of Arias Dávila) dates from the mid-15th century.

A narrow building with beautiful flowers.

After walking through the city and taking numerous photos, we found ourselves at the cathedral. The full name of the cathedral is Santa Iglesia Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y de San Frutos (Holy Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and of St. Frutos). The entrance fee to the cathedral is 3€ (US$3.66). The Monsignor paid the fees. We did not realize the ticket said photos are prohibited inside. We had taken photos like there was no tomorrow! Oops!

The Cathedral of Segovia catching the morning light.

Monsignor Henry framing a photograph of the cathedral.

Some fabrics for sale outside the cathedral.

An art piece in one of the side chapels.

Detail of an art piece in one of the side chapels.

A burial stone on the northwest side of the cathedral dates from 1666.

A small sculpture honoring Our Lady of the Assumption near the tops of the two northwest doors of the cathedral.

Next, we made our way to the Alcázar. The Monsignor bought a ticket for himself that included the castle and the tower. Referring to my previous entry about Segovia, one knows for sure that my ticket was just for the castle! I went inside the castle and sat on a bench to wait for the Monsignor to enter.

A sundial on the side of a building on Calle de Daoiz.

Detail of one of the ceilings in the Alcázar.

Some homes below the north side of the Alcázar.

Detail of The Adoration of the Magi in the chapel of the Alcázar.

Detail of the Almohade Garden as seen from the Pit Terrace of the Alcázar.

Looking up at the Torre del Homenaje (Tower of Tribute).

Detail of the typical masonry on the exterior.

After leaving the Alcázar, we made our way back to the Plaza Mayor. We found a little café on the plaza, in the southeast corner. We both had a “sanwich mixto” which is a grilled ham and cheese. We left there and made our way back to the car. On the way, I was able to take a photo of the Casa de los Picas, the best one I have ever taken.

The view toward the Alcázar from the Wall of Segovia.

A nun hanging laundry behind a property along Ronda de Don Juan II.

The Casa de los Picos on Calle Juan Bravo in Segovia.

Descending Calle Cervantes toward the aqueduct.

An iconic view of the west side of the aqueduct.

Back in the car, I drove us to the Vera Cruz Church. It was built by the Knights Templar in the early 13th century. It is a unique, twelve-sided structure. The church was not open so we were not able to go inside. After taking several photos at Vera Cruz, I drove to the south side of the Alcázar. This was a view I had not seen before. The combination of the sun and the sky made for some striking photos.

The Alcázar as seen from the Vera Cruz Church.

An entrance to the church on one of the twelve sides. The iconic Maltese Cross is clearly visible.

From there we made our way to San Ildefonso. Once there, we toured the palace and the gardens. The day remained just as beautiful there as it had been earlier.

After the tours, we returned home.

The fountains seem to extend forever at the Royal Palace of La Granja.

Some of the fountains step down from the hill.

A partial view of the southeast side of the palace.

Another of the many sculptures in the garden.

The Fuente de la Selva (Jungle Fountain).

The Fountain of Amphitrite, the wife of Poseidon.

Barcelona Quarterly Visit

Barcelona, Spain – August 25, 2010

This is another of my visits to check on the U.S. Consulate in Barcelona. This time I was able to fit in some sightseeing after work.

I traveled to Barcelona from Madrid on the AVE (bullet train). The best thing about the AVE is that it is absolutely on time. If one’s ticket states the train departs at 06:30, it departs at 06:30! The seats onboard are roomy and comfortable. There are some significant differences between train travel and air travel, such as no metal detectors. All they have is an x-ray machine. There are no luggage weight restrictions. Boarding is a breeze. Prior to departing the station, free headsets and newspapers are distributed. In the Preferente class, they even distribute a meal. This is by far the best way to travel.

Once in Barcelona, I checked into the Hotel Claris. When I had some free time, I decided to walk to the Sagrada Família church. It is not a long-distance, only about 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) roundtrip. One of the famous sons of Barcelona is the architect, Antoni Gaudí. He had a very different and unique style. Possibly the crowning jewel of his career is the Sagrada Família. It was begun in 1882 and is not yet complete.

Before arriving at the church, I had seen photographs of it; however, nothing prepared me for the massive scale and unusual look of the church. It is an assault on the senses, but not in a bad way. Because it is so unusual, there are many, many things vying for one’s attention. I do not believe there is another structure like it anywhere on the earth. I imagine that is part of why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entry for the self-guided tour is 11€ (US$13.42). One of the unique adornments on the church is the square plaque of 16 numbers. The sum of the numbers in each row, column, and diagonal is 33; the number of years Jesus Christ was on earth.

At the intersection of Avinguda Diagonal, Passeig de Sant Joan, and Carrer de Mallorca, one can see the spires of Sagrada Família in the distance. The memorial in the foreground is the Plaça de Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer.

Sagrada Família as seen from Plaça de la Sagrada Família.

This panorama of the entrance to Sagrada Família provides an idea of the scale of the church.

Some of the statues above the main entrance.

This portion of the church looks like the wind is blowing through.

The left leaf of the main entrance. The bottom right notes Matthew 26:30.

The 33-Stone. Each row, column, and diagonal add up to 33, the number of years Jesus Christ was on earth.

View of the church from near the Sagrada Família School building.

View of the west spires from near the Sagrada Família School building.

A mock-up of the architect, Antoni Gaudí.

A wood ambo demonstrates exceptional wood working skills.

It was a very hot day, so after I toured the church, I stopped at a nearby sidewalk café for a cold beer and water.

Sagrada Família as seen from a sidewalk café.

A newspaper ad touting Estrella Damm as the beer of the Mediterranean.

On the other afternoon I had available, I went down to the port area after work. Near the port is a very prominent monument to Christopher Columbus. IT is directly across from the Port of Barcelona building. While I was there, I saw a ferry coming in from the Balearic islands. I enjoyed watching the ferry maneuver to the dock. As I continued along the port area, I came across a large sculpture done by Joan Miro. It was a very colorful piece.

The ferry turned around in port to back into its mooring.

The Columbus Monument and the port building.

From the port area, I walked into the Gothic Quarter. One of the first things I came across was the Santa Maria del Mar Basilica. According to what I have read, this church is actually mentioned in city documents dating back to the 900’s. Apparently, what one sees today was begun in about 1329. The ages of some of the sights in Europe just amaze me.

In the Gothic Quarter, a man reading a newspaper, waiting for a customer to buy a hat.

Lots of pedestrians in the Gothic Quarter.

I ended my afternoon in the plaza, just in front of the Cathedral. I did not have time to go into the Cathedral, but I did go into the side-chapel dedicated to St. Luke. In there was a crypt of a Bishop of Barcelona dated 1238! I will save the Cathedral for a future visit.

A unique Barcelona sign near the cathedral.

An intricately decorated wall near the Bishop’s Bridge.

The small street by the decorated building.

Reina Sofía Museo

Madrid, Spain – June 13, 2010

Earlier today, Hillary and I went on what will probably be our last father-daughter date before she goes to college. We went to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (Queen Sofía National Art Center Museum). We both liked this museum a lot more than the Prado Museum. Modern art is not necessarily my favorite style; however, I really enjoyed seeing all of the works by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Just possibly the best part of our visit today was that admission for everyone was free!

One of the elevator towers at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (Queen Sofía National Art Center Museum).

The museum has two glass elevator towers.

Detail of Figure by Pablo Picasso (1928).

Detail of Still Life by Salvador Dalí (1924).

Detail of Bust and Palette by Pablo Picasso (1925).

Detail of Still Life by Salvador Dalí (1926).

Detail of Pierrot Playing the Guitar by Salvador Dalí (1925).

Detail of Figures by the Sea I by Pablo Picasso (1932).

The sculpture Carmen by Alexander Calder (1974) in the inner courtyard.

Detail of the Enigma of Hitler by Salvador Dalí (1939).

Detail of Endless Enigma by Salvador Dalí (1938).

Detail of the Invisible Man by Salvador Dalí (1929-1932).

Detail of The Memory of the Woman-Child by Salvador Dalí (1929).

Detail of the Face of the Great Masturbator by Salvador Dalí (1929).

Detail of Portrait of Joella by Salvador Dalí (1933-1934).

Detail of Horse Head Sketch for “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso (1937).

Detail of Mother with Dead Child [II] Postscript of “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso (1937).

Detail of The Swimmer by Pablo Picasso (1934).

Detail of Triadic Ballet by Oskar Schlemmer (1922).

Detail of Still Life by Pablo Picasso (1944).

Detail of Woman Seated in a Grey Armchair by Pablo Picasso (1939).

Detail of Seated Woman Resting on Elbows by Pablo Picasso (1939).

Detail of Portrait of Dora Maar by Pablo Picasso (1939).

Detail of Portrait by Salvador Dalí (1925).

Detail of Figure at the Window by Salvador Dalí (1925).

Detail of Self Portrait by Alfonso Ponce de León (1936).

Detail of Cubist Self-Portrait by Salvador Dalí (1923).

Detail of a water fountain in the inner courtyard.

Carmen by Alexander Calder (1974) in the inner courtyard.

We walked through a lot of the museum and took a lot of photographs. After the museum, we walked across the plaza and had lunch. I had a pizza and Hillary had pasta.

A Yorkie terrier resting outside the museum.

When we finished lunch we walked north to an area near the Prado. We were on a mission to buy Leslie a new hand-fan. The one she had was broken. On our way, we came across a wall of vegetation and a unique elephant sculpture.

Not too far from the wall, we found a hand-fan at a tourist kiosk. Then, Hillary and I walked back to the Metro and rode home.