Palazzo della Gran Guardia

---

Palazzo della Gran Guardia
Piazza Bra
Verona, May 2025

“The Gran Guardia is a civil building that marks the southern side of Piazza Bra in Verona. Construction of this building began in the 17th century and was completed, after a long pause, only in 1853. With its size and monumentality, it manages to compete with the Arena, which is located a few dozen meters away, beyond the 19th-century Bra gardens. The first act concerning the palace was a formal request from the captain of Verona Giovanni Mocenigo to the doge Leonardo Donà, signed on 26 September 1609; the document proposed the construction of a building to be used as a place for reviewing the troops on days when it was not possible, due to the weather, to do so outdoors. Furthermore, it was proposed to place the structure close to the walls of the Citadel, so as to already have one side complete and therefore reduce the costs and times of the work. Authorisation to build was granted as early as 30 December and, on 13 February 1610, the first contributions arrived from Venice.” (Gran Guardia, Wikipedia)

Iglesia de San Millán

---

Iglesia de San Millán
Calle Veracruz
Salamanca, September 2025

“The church of San Millán, in the city of Salamanca, is an ancient temple of Romanesque origin that currently houses the interpretation center of Salamanca's heritage, called Monumenta Salmanticae. The building is located on Calle Veracruz, in the former territory of the Serrano family. Although it was one of the first Romanesque churches in Salamanca, only the apse of the original building remains. At the beginning of the 18th century the building was joined to the College of San Millán. It was rebuilt in 1765 by Jerónimo García de Quiñones. The last occupants of the building were the Servants of Mary, who used it to care for the sick. The school, founded by Francisco Rodríguez de Varillas, was the first of the smaller ones, following the four larger ones. A magnificent façade facing Calle de Libreros, now the Santa María de Los Ángeles Library, ceded by Caja Duero to the University of Salamanca, still stands.” (Iglesia de San Millán, Wikipedia)

Fedele Lampertico

---

Monument to Fedele Lampertico by Carlo Spazzi, 1924
Piazza Matteotti
Vicenza, May 2025

“Fedele Lampertico (Vicenza, 13 June 1833 – Vicenza, 6 April 1906) was an Italian economist, writer and politician. He has been defined as a ‘paternalistic agrarian, undisputed leader of the conservative oligarchy, discreet and omnipotent ruler of local public life’. He was born to Domenico and Angela Valle, of a noble family. He attended high school in his hometown and was taught by Abbot Giacomo Zanella , with whom he remained a deep friend. Numerous correspondences remain between Fedele Lampertico and Giacomo Zanella, which Lampertico himself donated to the Bertoliana Library in Vicenza. He studied law in Padua, where he graduated in 1855 with a thesis in statistics.” (Fedele Lampertico, Wikipedia)

Convento de San José

---

Convento de San José
Calle de las Madres
Ávila, September 2025

“The Convento de San José (Convent of Saint Joseph) is a monastery of Discalced Carmelite nuns in Ávila, Spain. It is situated not far from the center of the city but outside the medieval walls. Saint Teresa of Jesus was the driving force behind the foundation of the monastery, which was built from 1562 onwards. The church (by Francisco de Mora) was only begun in 1607 after Saint Teresa's death. The statue in the facade was commissioned by King Philip III of Spain via artist Giraldo de Merlo. The Convent of Saint Joseph is a monastery of Discalced Carmelite nuns located in the Spanish city of Ávila, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. It was the first monastery founded by Saint Teresa of Jesus, who had the support of such important figures as the Bishop of Ávila, Alvaro Hurtado de Mendoza, who was later buried there. The convent was built in the year of 1562, although the church, its most important architectural element, was built only in 1607.” (Convento de San José, Wikipedia)

Madonna dell'acqua lurida

---

Madonna dell'acqua lurida (Our Lady of the Dirty Water) by Federico Soffiato, 2019
Vicolo dell'Osservatorio
Padua, May 2025

“The installation of the Madonna holding her son's nose is causing controversy. Sculptor Federico Soffiato called the statue ‘Madonna of the Dirty Water’ the artist intended to denounce the plight of polluted seas and waters. The work has sparked a storm of controversy, primarily from Northern League Senator Andrea Ostellari. It is a life-size work made from a piece of wood from Trentino that was a victim of ‘Vaia’, the storm that felled thousands of trees almost a year ago, and will be exhibited at the Future Vintage Festival.” (Madonna dell'acqua lurida, Padova Oggi)

Pergola by Salvador Moreno Peralta

---

Pergola by Salvador Moreno Peralta, 2019
Plaza Costa del Sol
Torremolinos, March 2025

“Nestled in the heart of Torremolinos, Plaza Costa del Sol stands as a vibrant and inviting pedestrian zone, conveniently situated near the bustling Calle San Miguel. This entire area offers a delightful atmosphere, perfect for leisurely strolls and soaking up the town's unique ambiance. A notable feature of the plaza is the extensive redevelopment undertaken in early 2019, which introduced a stunning and expansive parasol structure that graces the center of the square, adding an architectural marvel to its charm. While exploring this area, don't forget to embark on a small treasure hunt to discover the captivating Bridget Bardot mural adorning the side of one of the nearby hotels.” (Plaza Costa del Sol, Costa del Sol Guide)

Oratory of Gesù Pellegrino

---

Oratory of Gesù Pellegrino
Via San Gallo
Florence, January 2025

“The Oratory of Gesù Pellegrino, also called the Oratorio dei Pretoni, is a Roman Catholic prayer hall or oratory found on the corner of Via San Gallo and via degli Arazzieri in Florence, region of Tuscany, Italy. Formerly the church of San Salvatore, it belonged to the confraternity of that name, until in 1313 the bishop Antonio d’Orso instituted a hospice for pilgrim priests. The church was later dedicated to St James, and under the sainted Archbishop Antoninus, the confraternity set up a hospice for elderly priests. In 1585 to 1588, commissioned by Alessandro di Ottavione de' Medici, Pope Leo XI, restructuring was directed by Giovanni Antonio Dosio. In the interior are a fresco cycle and three altarpieces with episodes from The Life of Christ (1590) by the mannerist painter Giovanni Balducci. On the counterfacade is a recently restored organ. In the nave close to the entrance is the tomb of a famous parish priest, Arlotto Mainardi (1396–1484).” (Oratory of Gesù Pellegrino, Wikipedia)