Saturday, March 31, 2012

Soria - Procathedral of San Pedro

The Procathedral of San Pedro in Soria was built in the 12th century on the site of an old Augustine monastery, and was subsequently rebuilt in the 16th century in Renaissance style under the patronage of Bishop Acosta. It has a Plateresque façade and three Gothic naves. Its cloisters are quite special - so much so - that they have been declared a National Monument.

My thanks to Zarateman  for the above photos that he has released into the public domain 
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Zarateman

Robert Bovington 
https://plus.google.com/118235640981670233395/about

more blogs...

"Spanish Impressions"
"postcards from Spain"
"you couldn't make it up!"
"a grumpy old man in Spain"
"bits and bobs"
"Spanish Expressions"
"Spanish Art"
"Books About Spain"

Friday, March 30, 2012

Palencia Cathedral

Palencia Cathedral is one of the city's monuments to its rich history. It is known as 'La Bella Desconocida' (The Beautiful Unknown One). Perhaps it is because of the treasures inside the cathedral that it has been given such a curious title. El Greco's 'St. Sebastian' is just one of the valuable paintings to be found here.

photo: public domain (Fmanzanal)

photo: public domain (Fmanzanal)
 
photo: public domain (allmennheten)

photo: public domain (Zarateman)

photo: public domain (Zarateman)

photo: public domain (Zarateman)

El Greco's 'St. Sebastian' photo: public domain

more blogs by Robert Bovington...
"Spanish Impressions"
"postcards from Spain"
"you couldn't make it up!"
"a grumpy old man in Spain"
"bits and bobs"
"Spanish Expressions"
"Spanish Art"
"Books About Spain"

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Salamanca Cathedral

The New Cathedral is one of a pair, aptly named Catedral Nueva (new) and Catedral Vieja (old). They are physically connected to each other - the new one was begun in 1513 when it was decided that the old cathedral was too small. The Catedral Vieja was started in the 12th century in Romanesque style. It was completed a century later and one of its main attractions is its highly intricate 15th-century altar - the work of Nicolás Florentino. The Catedral Nueva was built in late Gothic style with Renaissance and Baroque decoration. Inside there are eighteen chapels but the Capilla Dorada is the best, housing as it does over a hundred sculptures. 







more blogs by Robert Bovington...

"Spanish Impressions"
"postcards from Spain"
"you couldn't make it up!"
"a grumpy old man in Spain"
"bits and bobs"
"Spanish Expressions"
"Spanish Art"
"Books About Spain"


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Ronda in photographs

Ronda is located in one of the most dramatic locations in Europe - perched 750 metres above sea level, on an inland plateau, sliced in half by the 100-metre deep Tajo gorge. 




The town is a photographer's dream - or a nightmare if there is insufficient film or lack of space on the digital camera's memory card. Throughout Ronda there are delightful buildings like the 'Palacio de Mondragón' and the Casa del Marqués de Salvatierra'. 


Casa del Marqués de Salvatierra
Palacio de Mondragón
For my full article:- 
http://bobbovington.blogspot.com/2012/03/ronda-article-by-robert-bovington.html
OR
http://bovingtoninspain.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/ronda-an-article-by-robert-bovington/ 



For photographs of Ronda click on the following link:-
http://www.panoramio.com/user/2391258/tags/Ronda

Robert Bovington
https://plus.google.com/118235640981670233395/about

Sunday, March 11, 2012

More Blogs!


If you like my " Photographs of Spain " blog, you may like to view some of my other blogs:-












"Spanish Impressions"
"postcards from Spain"
"you couldn't make it up!"
"a grumpy old man in Spain"
"bits and bobs"
"Spanish Expressions"
"Spanish Art"
"Books About Spain"



You may also like to view my WordPress blogs:-

"Spanish Impressions"
"postcards from Spain"
"Books About Spain"
"bits and bobs"
"Spanish Expressions"
"Photographs of Spain"
"Spanish Art"
"a grumpy old man inSpain"
"you couldn't make it up!"

Robert Bovington
March 2012

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Barcelona's La Sagrada Familia is an example of the brilliantly inventive work of Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudí.


for more pictures of this unusual building click on the link below...

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona - 23 Pics | Curious, Funny Photos / Pictures:

'via Blog this'

Robert Bovington
March 2012

https://plus.google.com/118235640981670233395/about

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Andalucía in photographs

Andalucía is the southernmost region of mainland Spain. It is the land of bullfighting, flamenco and gypsies. It is the land of high sierras, charming white villages and magnificent cities.
Check out my Panoramio site for photos of this great region.



Robert Bovington
March 2012





Almería Cathedral


The 'Cathedral' is one of the principal monument in Almería. It was designed as a place of prayer and of war, when it was built in the sixteenth century. This was because the shores of Almería were continually under attack from Turks and Berbers and so it was designed as a place of refuge as well as worship. It was built in a Gothic style with a Renaissance façade.

more photos of the Cathedral:


Robert Bovington
March 2012



Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Monday, March 5, 2012

Algeciras


Algeciras is a coastal town in Cádiz province. It is not the sort of place to linger unless you like industrial towns - and Arab things like mosques and mint tea! 

I have been there twice. The first time was to catch a boat to Morocco so all I saw was the quayside. The second occasion I did see more of the town but found it rather drab. It does have an attractive central square - Plaza Alta. Tiles, depicting scenes from Don Quixote, adorn the benches and walls surrounding the central fountain and cafes and bars line the perimeter of this delightful square.

Algeciras is handily placed for visits to Gibraltar and Tarifa. It is also the place to catch the train to the medieval city of Ronda - an extremely scenic journey through natural parks and past beautiful pueblos blancos.
For most people, however, Algeciras is just a stopping off place, en route to Tangier and Morocco.




more photographs of Algeciras...


Thursday, March 1, 2012

Níjar

Níjar is a pottery town. However, that is the only thing it has in common with Stoke-on-Trent. For a start, there is no river there - it is located in one of the warmest driest places in Europe - in the eastern part of the province of Almería. Secondly, unlike Stoke, it is quite attractive despite its arid surroundings.
I quite like Níjar. It has a distinct Moorish feel about it with its narrow streets and whitewashed houses. It lies in the foothills of the Sierra Alhamilla and is popular with tourists who make the short excursion from coastal towns like Roquetas de Mar and Mojácar. They mainly visit in order to purchase the attractive and unusual glazed pottery. That is what Níjar is famous for - pottery. And carpets! 
There are many pottery shops, some with thousands of pieces on display ranging from ashtrays to large planters and decorative lampshades. The most characteristic of the area is the blue and green pottery, produced from clay and marl with a kaolin coating. The other handicraft most typical of Níjar is the manufacture of jarapas - colourful cotton and wool rugs and blankets. 
There are many other hand-made items on sale in the shops: leather ware, jewellery, decorative ironwork, furniture as well as edible items such as honey, cakes and wine. Soaps, candles and many other items made from natural products can also be obtained in Níjar. 



I find the town a pleasant place to stroll. The high street is attractive with its many shops and bars and there are quaint narrow cobbled streets with the traditional whitewashed houses so typical of Andalucía. At the top of the main thoroughfare is the town's main square with an attractive church. The 'Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación' was built in the 16th century.

more photosof Níjar....


Robert Bovington