Palacio de San Boal

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Escuela de Bellas Artes San Eloy
Palacio de San Boal
Plaza de San Boal
Salamanca, September 2025

“The Palacio de San Boal is a building in the Spanish city of Salamanca, constructed in 1470, along with the Arias Corvelle Palace, forming a single palace. They were later separated by the Marquis of Almarza. The silkscreen decoration of the façade dates back to the 17th century. In 1906, it was purchased from Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa. It housed the San Eloy School of Arts and Crafts and the Salamanca Music Conservatory. The school was founded in the late 18th century by the Salamanca silversmiths' guild and has belonged to the Caja Duero Social Work since 1947. The building currently houses the Caja Duero Foundation, as well as the Youth Chamber Orchestra and the Children's Choir, which are affiliated with the foundation. The San Eloy Exhibition Hall is located on the ground floor, and the San Eloy Library, which specializes in art, is located on the first floor.” (Palacio de San Boal, Wikipedia)

Thiene Chapel

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Thiene or Saints Peter and Paul Chapel
Santa Corona
Contrà Santa Corona
Vicenza, May 2025

“The chapel concludes the right nave, retaining its original 13th-century rectangular plan. Originally in late Gothic style, it was called the golden chapel for its walls painted with saints ‘mixed with gold’ and a blue ceiling studded with stars, illuminated by a large golden ray. It was granted in 1390 to the knight Giovanni Thiene, who was buried in 1415 in the sarcophagus he had prepared, located on the left wall, adorned with three later marble statues. On the right wall is the sarcophagus of the knight Marco Thiene, Giovanni’s great-uncle, decorated with an image of the Madonna and Child. The two sarcophagi are among the most significant works of Venetian sculpture from the late 14th to early 15th centuries. The deceased are depicted lying with hands clasped, fully dressed in armor with a sword at their side; at their feet lies a dog, a symbol of loyalty. The sarcophagi feature bas-relief images of helmets and crests on the front. Above the sarcophagi are two flamboyant Gothic lunettes, frescoed inside. In the frescoes, the two knights are depicted symmetrically, kneeling, presented by a saint to the Madonna enthroned with the Child, accompanied by other saints, likely works by the Lombard painter Michelino da Besozzo. The entire chapel was renovated in the early 18th century due to its poor condition, redecorated in the Rococo style under the supervision of Francesco Muttoni. A new altar was installed, featuring an altarpiece of the Madonna enthroned with the Child venerated by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, with Saint Paul visually recalling Pope Pius V, the proponent of the Holy League that led to the Battle of Lepanto, a work by Giambattista Pittoni.” (Santa Corona, Wikipedia)

Ermita de San Esteban

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Ermita de San Esteban
Travesía San Esteban
Ávila, September 2025

“Built in the mid-12th century, it is the only Romanesque church preserved within the city walls. Built in ‘caleña’ stone, it retains its original structure, including the powerful apse, the northern closure, and materials reused in the 16th century for its reconstruction. The doorway is organized around an archivolt decorated with four-petalled rosettes, a reinterpretation of the original, dismantled doorway. The apse is broken only by two small columns and the eaves corbels, with decoration influenced by Cantabrian Romanesque. Inside, and despite its small size, it has three naves, the lateral ones being very narrow strips, perhaps a later adaptation of a space conceived as a single one. One of its greatest assets is the capitals on which the vault of the chancel rests: their decoration of plant, animal and anthropomorphic motifs is in keeping with the purest Romanesque style. The pulpit staircase stands out inside, made from a single piece of granite and decorated with waves that demonstrate its Visigothic affiliation. Declared a National Monument in 1923.” (San Esteban, ÁvilaTurismo)

Palazzo Pisani de Lazara

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Palazzo Pisani de Lazara
Riviera San Benedetto
Padua, May 2025

“Palazzo Pisani de Lazara is a civil building in Padua. Built in 1783 as the first example of neoclassical architecture in the city; the design is by the architect Giannantonio Selva.” (Palazzo Pisani de Lazzara, Wikipedia)

Playa de Malapesquera

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Playa de Malapesquera
Avenida Juan Sebastián Elcano
Benalmádena, March 2025

“According to the old fishers in the area, this beach’s name comes from the lack of catch caught there. Today it’s Benalmádena’s largest and most popular beach thanks to its proximity to the town’s most iconic hotels. The beach at more than 700 metres long and an average width of 50 metres has the Puerto Marina and Santa Ana Beach surrounding it. It’s famous for its ideal swimming conditions, thanks to its clear waters and moderate swells. It also has facilities for a variety of sports. It’s the only beach in Benalmádena with a green area with palm trees and grass that are ideal for taking in the shade. Its centric location makes this beach one of the most beloved for both locals and visitors to Benalmádena alike.” (Malapesquera Beach, Visit Costa del Sol)

Pescaia delle Cascine

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Pescaia delle Cascine
Parco delle Cascine (Cascine Park)
Florence, January 2025

El Vecino Curioso

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El Vecino Curioso (The Curious Neighbor) by Salvador Fernández Oliva, 1999
Calle de la Almudena
Madrid, September 2025

“Madrid has almost 2,000 sculptures, some of which are predictably dedicated to former monarchs, military heroes, and other prominent public figures. Yet some of the more interesting statues are compelling precisely because of how ordinary they are. Look carefully and you'll find life-size depictions or anonymous Madrileños going about their business. ‘El Vecino Curioso’, or ‘The Curious Neighbor’, is a bronze of a middle-aged gentleman created by sculptor Salvador Fernández Oliva in 1999. He appears to be leaning on a railing and looking down at the archeological remains of Santa María de la Almudena, the first church to be built in Madrid. The statue is anchored directly to the sidewalk, without a base. Unfortunately, only a few remnants of the original church survived after it fell victim to the construction work on Calle de Bailén in 1868. What's left is visible through a protective glass case, into which this curious neighbor peers. The statue's underside is polished from the many times it has been touched. Some say this is out of habit, others think it brings good luck. The statue has spent several decades in the same place, practicing the national sport of pensioners: ‘watching the works’.” (The Curious Neighbor, Atlas Obscura)