Oct 202014
 

Segovia, northwest of Madrid in the Castilla y Leon region of central Spain, is known for its 15th century royal castle, 16th century Gothic cathedral, and Roman aqueduct.

The Alcazar, or royal palace, sits high on a rocky spur.  The form is sometimes compared to a ship.

The Alcazar, or royal palace, sits high on a rocky spur. The form is sometimes compared to a ship.


Castles were fortified because of the battles between the Catholics and the Moors.

Castles were fortified because of the battles between the Catholics and the Moors.


Royal thrones and crest

Royal thrones and crest


Both the knights and horses wore armor in battle.

Both the knights and horses wore armor in battle.


The knight's amour covered his feet with a design that looks like a pair of ferocious birds.

The knight’s amour covered his feet with a design that looks like a pair of ferocious birds.


The knights' bravery was heralded in stained glass windows.

The knights’ bravery was heralded in stained glass windows.


Autumn view of the fallow fields through a Gothic arch

Autumn view of the fallow fields through a Gothic arch


The golden fields among rugged hills provide a dramatic view from the Alcazar

The golden fields among rugged hills provide a dramatic view from the Alcazar


This cathedral was started in 1525 after the previous cathedral was destroyed during a revolt over the appointment of a regent from Utrecht.

This cathedral was started in 1525 after the previous cathedral was destroyed during a revolt over the appointment of a regent from Utrecht.


The cathedral was consecrated in 1678 and is called the last great Gothic church in Spain.

The cathedral was consecrated in 1678 and is called the last great Gothic church in Spain.


Water from the Rio Frio (Cold River) flowed into the city over its 2,400 foot length.

Water from the Rio Frio (Cold River) flowed into the city over its 2,400 foot length.


Two tiers of arches were required to cope with the change in gradient.

Two tiers of arches were required to cope with the change in gradient.


The aqueduct was built in the 1st century AD and was in use until the late 19th century.

The aqueduct was built in the 1st century AD and was in use until the late 19th century.

Oct 192014
 

Sculptures on the Ministry of Agriculture

Sculptures on the Ministry of Agriculture


Sculpture of Diego de Velazquez, Spain's leading court painter of the 17th century Golden Age

Sculpture of Diego de Velazquez, Spain’s leading court painter of the 17th century Golden Age


The Atocha train station where we took the luxurious fast train to Cordoba

The Atocha train station where we took the luxurious fast train to Cordoba


Motorcycles and scooters are very popular and suitable to the narrow streets of the historic districts

Motorcycles and scooters are very popular and suitable to the narrow streets of the historic districts


September 19 is universal Talk Like a Pirate Day where I saw several pirates of various ages

September 19 is universal Talk Like a Pirate Day where I saw several pirates of various ages

Oct 182014
 

For subscribers, if you only saw a small portion of the photos posted in the last blog, here are the three photos downsized for email.

Addition to the Museu Thyssen-Bornemisza

Addition to the Art Museu Thyssen-Bornemisza

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Museu Reina Sofia

Elevator Addition to the Museo Nacional Centro de Reina Sofia

Oct 162014
 

I recently made my first visit to Spain. I was fascinated by the way art and design styles over Spain’s long history are combined, intermingled and found adjacent to one another. Sometimes the result is harmonious and other times I perceived a disruptive clash as the rational and emotional sometimes conflict.
Addition to the Museu Thyssen-Bornemisza
The addition to the Thyssen-Bornemisza art museum is contemporary without a strong visual relationship to the primary building, an early 19th century palace.
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Neo-classical congress sits next to a contemporary building.
Museu Reina Sofia
The Museo Reina Sofia (Queen Sofia Museum) was built in an old hospital. It has an addition of a glass elevator in the front and a contemporary addition on the opposite side. The museum houses 20th and 21st century art.