Foto: The town of Toledo (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Spain - Toledo, one of the oldest cities in Spain, was once the capital of the Iberian Carpetani and was conquered by the Romans in 192 BC, who named it Toletum. The city lies on the banks of the Tagus River, southwest of the capital Madrid. With its rich history and culture, Toledo is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cathedral of Toledo is one of the most important Gothic cathedrals in Spain. It was built between 1227 and 1493 on the site of a former Moorish mosque and is dedicated to Mary. The cathedral's interior (110 meters long, excluding the Capilla de San Ildefonso) is striking, with 88 strongly articulated columns. The stunning stained-glass windows date from the 16th century. The richly gilded Capilla Mayor features a beautifully decorated reja in Plateresque style from 1548. The large altarpiece (1504), made of gilded and painted larch wood, depicts scenes from the New Testament in four tiers with life-sized figures; in the center sits a magnificent custodia (monstrance) in the shape of a pyramid. On either side of the main altar are royal tombs (sepulcros reales) dating from 1289. The walls of the Capilla Mayor are decorated with statues of saints and reliefs; at the back of the chapel lies the tomb of Cardinal Diego de Astorga, featuring the Transparente, an impressive marble altar dedicated to Mary that merges into a painted, openworked dome (1722). The Palacio de Galiana is a palace in Toledo, located on the banks of the Tagus River. It was built in the 13th century by King Alfonso XI of Castile on the site of an earlier summer residence of the Taifa king Al-Mamun. The palace was constructed in the Mudéjar style. Its name, Galiana, is derived from a character — a princess from an early medieval chanson — who also appears in the works of Cervantes and Lope de Vega.
The Cathedral of Toledo
Spain - The Cathedral of Toledo in Toledo is one of the most important Gothic cathedrals in Spain. It was built between 1227 and 1493 on the site of a former Moorish mosque and is dedicated to Mary. The 90-meter-high north tower contains the famous Campana Gorda, ...
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
Spain - From the bridge, beneath the Arcs Rouges, I see the modern Guggenheim Museum on the opposite bank — it looks stunning. What a unique building. The thousands of titanium panels shimmer in the sunlight. In front of the museum stands the five-meter-tall ...
The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
Spain - Santiago de Compostela, along with Jerusalem and Rome, is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage destinations in the world. The pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St. James) leads to the tomb of the apostle James in Santiago ...
The Sagrada Família in Barcelona
Spain - The Sagrada Família, officially Basílica y Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, is a basilica in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudí. The name means Holy Family. Construction began in 1882 and continues to this day. Work paused for several ...
The Spanish capital Madrid
Spain - The center of Spain’s capital Madrid is compact and atmospheric. When walking through the city, it doesn’t feel like a typical capital. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance. The Palacio Real, the royal palace, is well worth a visit ...