Thursday, July 23, 2026

Santo Tomé el Viejo

Santo Tomé el Viejo, Plaza de Italia, Ávila

Santo Tomé el Viejo
Plaza de Italia
Ávila, September 2025

“The church of Santo Tomé el Viejo, is a Catholic temple located in the Spanish city of Ávila in Castile and León. It is located in front of the wall, exiting through the arch of the Weight of the Flour or of the Cathedral. It already existed before 1150 and was remodeled at the end of the 12th century in Romanesque style. After the confiscation of 1835 it was converted into a workshop and service station until in 1960 it reverted to the Spanish state, which linked it to the provincial museum of which it is part as a visitable warehouse.” (Iglesia de Santo Tomé el Viejo, Wikipedia)

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Caduti per la Libertà

Monumento ai caduti per la Libertà by Mario Salazzari, Piazza Bra, Verona

Monumento ai caduti per la Libertà by Mario Salazzari, 1947
Piazza Bra
Verona, May 2025

“The monument was inaugurated on April 25, 1947. The artist is Mario Salazzari (Lugagnano di Sona, 1904 - Verona, 1993), sculptor, poet, musician, and partisan fighter. A student of the Veronese sculptor Egidio Girelli at the Cignaroli Academy of Fine Arts, he was one of the most active and prolific artists in Verona. He created two of the equestrian groups on the Ponte della Vittoria bridge and created several war memorials, including one in the Borgo Roma neighborhood and one dedicated to the Cefalonia massacre in Verona. In early 1946, Salazzari sculpted the figure of a Partisan, a work particularly dear to the artist, to commemorate the first anniversary of April 5, the national holiday of Liberation. The statue depicts a soldier with a machine gun on his shoulders. The work has been compared to Michelangelo's David, an iconography used by fascist ideology, whose meanings are reversed here: the partisan personified as David cunningly defeats the Nazi-Fascist giant Goliath. Furthermore, compared to Michelangelo's work, the figure of the partisan, with its fluid modeling, appears slimmer and formally simplified.” (Statua dei Caduti per la Libertà, VisitVerona)

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Fuente de la Diosa Pomona

Fuente de la Diosa Pomona by Juan Bautista Bado, Plaza de San Francisco, Málaga

Fuente de la Diosa Pomona by Juan Bautista Bado, 1864
Plaza de San Francisco
Málaga, March 2025

“The Plaza de San Francisco emerged in the mid-19th century as a result of the urban reforms brought about by the Mendizábal confiscation. The disappearance of the Franciscan convent of San Luis el Real allowed its square to become a public square. Several cultural institutions, such as the Lyceum and the Philharmonic Society, were built in parts of the former monastery, giving the square a cultured and romantic atmosphere as a meeting place for writers, musicians, and artists. It was precisely at this time that a classically inspired fountain was installed in the center of the square's triangular space, crowned by a sculpture of the Etruscan-Roman goddess Pomona, protector of flowers and fruits. This fountain, initially acquired for installation at Porta Nuova, was made of Carrara marble by the sculptor Juan Bautista Bado in the Italian city of Savona. The fountain's pillar rises from a circular marble basin, with a pedestal-like column shaft bearing the date of its execution (1864). The upper half of this shaft is fluted, while the lower half is decorated with four masks (from whose mouths water flows), connected by garlands. The goddess appears dressed in Roman style, wrapped in heavy draperies, and carries a basket of flowers and fruit in her left hand, symbolizing her protection of fruit trees.” (Fountain of the Goddess Pomona, Fuentes de Málaga)

Monday, July 20, 2026

Bartolomeo Montagna

Bartolomeo Cincani ‘il Montagna’, Giardini Salvi, Vicenza

Bartolomeo Cincani ‘il Montagna’
Giardini Salvi
Corso SS. Felice e Fortunato
Vicenza, May 2025

“Bartolomeo (or Bartolommeo) Montagna (1450?– 11 October 1523) was an Italian Renaissance painter who mainly worked in Vicenza. He also produced works in Venice, Verona, and Padua. He is most famous for his many Madonnas and his works are known for their soft figures and depiction of eccentric marble architecture. He is considered to be heavily influenced by Giovanni Bellini, in whose workshop he might have worked around 1470. Benedetto Montagna, a productive engraver, was his son and pupil and active until about 1540. He was mentioned in Vasari's Lives as a student of Andrea Mantegna but this is widely contested by art historians.” (Bartolomeo Montagna, Wikipedia)

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Canal de Isabel II

Elevated reservoir of the Canal de Isabel II, Calle Santa Engracia, Chamberí, Madrid

Elevated reservoir of the Canal de Isabel II
Calle Santa Engracia, Chamberí
Madrid, September 2025

“Canal de Isabel II (CYII) is the company that manages the bulk of water supplies for the Community of Madrid. It is primarily owned by the regional administration through the so-called Ente Público Canal de Isabel II, with a minor stake owned by local governments. The Y in the abbreviated form of the company's name is from the old spelling Ysabel for Queen Isabel II, during whose reign a modern water supply was provided for Madrid. A canal was constructed to provide water from the catchment of the river Lozoya. The water entered the city through its northern suburbs using gravity.” (Canal de Isabel II, Wikipedia)

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Tobiolo

‘Tobiolo’ by Amleto Sartori, Piazzetta Garzeria, Padova

Tobiolo by Amleto Sartori, 1958
Piazzetta Garzeria
Padua, May 2025

“The sculpture ‘Tobias’ represents an emblematic moment in Sartori's artistic maturity, steeped in biblical and mythological imagery that reflects his passion for literature and the human condition. Made in 1958 as a full-relief bronze sculpture (approximately 1 meter tall), it depicts Tobias (or Tobiolo), the young protagonist of the Old Testament Book of Tobit, captured in the dynamic gesture of clutching a fish in his arms. This episode alludes to the miracle in which Tobias, guided by the Archangel Raphael, catches a fish in the Tigris River: from its entrails he will extract the gall that will cure his father Tobit's blindness. The figure is rendered with elegance and vitality: the boy's slender, athletic body, twisted, conveys muscular tension and a sense of imminent movement, as if the fish could escape at any moment. Sartori infuses the sculpture with a grace ‘possessed by the material’, where the bronze seems to come alive with an emotional storm – formal perfection combined with a playful cunning, echoing his theatrical masks. The work is part of a series of ‘heroic and mythological’ sculptures that Sartori produced in the postwar period, often in cast bronze, influenced by his exploration of form and gesture. Displayed in retrospective exhibitions (such as the 2015 one at the Galleria Cavour in Padua for the centenary of his birth), ‘Tobiolo’ is praised for its ability to ‘come alive in an instant’, symbolizing themes of salvation, youth, and divine intervention.” (Tobiolo, Grok)

Friday, July 17, 2026

Alcázar de Segovia

Alcázar de Segovia, Plaza Reina Victoria Eugenia, Segovia

Alcázar de Segovia
Plaza Reina Victoria Eugenia
Segovia, September 2025

“The Alcázar of Segovia is a medieval castle located in the city of Segovia, in Castile and León, Spain. It has existed since at least the 12th century, and is one of the most renowned medieval castles globally and one of the most visited landmarks in Spain. The fortress stands on a rocky crag at the western end of Segovia's Old City, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, above the confluence of the rivers Eresma and Clamores. Since its declaration as a National Archive by a Royal Decree in 1998, it has been used as a museum and a military archive. It has also been used as a state prison, a Royal Artillery College, and a military academy. The Alcázar served both as a royal palace and a fortress for the Castilian monarchs. Its history begins in the 12th or early 13th century when the royal family of Castile had quarters in the Alcázar, known as the "major palace". In the Homage tower, the treasure of the Crown of Castile was stored, from which funds were secured to finance Christopher Columbus's first voyage. In 1437, the books of the royal administration were moved to the Alcázar, establishing one of the first royal archives of Castile and laying one of the foundations for the current General Archive of Simancas. Additionally, the Alcázar housed the royal armory, which served as the basis for the one now exhibited in the Royal Armoury of Madrid.” (Alcázar of Segovia, Wikipedia)

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Church of San Giuseppe

Church of San Giuseppe, Via San Giuseppe, Florence

Church of San Giuseppe
Via San Giuseppe
Florence, December 2024

“San Giuseppe is a Baroque architecture, Roman Catholic church building located on Via San Giuseppe, near Piazza Santa Croce, in central Florence, region of Tuscany, Italy, and is one of two churches and an oratory in the city dedicated to Saint Joseph. The church was built on a site that once held the oratory of the Confraternity of St. Joseph, and the present church was designed by Baccio d'Agnolo. In 1583, the complex was deeded to the Minims of Saint Francis of Paola. A new façade was completed in 1759. When the Minim order was suppressed in 1784, the convent was put to new uses.” (Church of San Giuseppe, Wikipedia)

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Palacio de la Salina

Palacio de la Salina, Calle San Pablo, Salamanca

Palacio de la Salina
Calle San Pablo
Salamanca, September 2025

“The Palacio de la Salina in Salamanca is a Plateresque-style building with Italian elements, constructed in 1538. It features a graceful façade and a courtyard with arches, capitals, and corbels of great interest. The architect was Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón. The palace was built by Rodrigo de Messía Carrillo (or Mejía), married to Doña Mayor de Fonseca y Toledo, lords of La Guardia, which is why it is also known as the Palace of Don Rodrigo de Messía or Fonseca. The firstborn of the marriage, Gonzalo Messía Carrillo, inherited most of the family assets on August 17, 1549, but the mother wanted to bequeath to her second son, Juan Alonso de Fonseca, some assets she had brought to the marriage and, among them, the palace (and it is quite possible that the son adopted his mother's family name for this reason). For this reason, the Fonseca coat of arms appears on the façade and the palace is known as the Palace of Fonseca. It owes its name (La Salina) to having been the headquarters of the salt monopoly (until 1870) and its layout, open to the street, shows that it is a building constructed from the beginning to be public and not intended as a residence, so it can be stated that said Juan Alonso de Fonseca, was the concessionaire of the salt monopoly in the city. And also that the legend that links the palace to Archbishop Fonseca is not true either. It has been the headquarters of the Provincial Council since 1884. The institution purchased it in 1881.” (Palacio de la Salina, Wikipedia)

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Church of San Pietro Martire

Church of San Pietro Martire, Via Sant'Alessio, Verona

Church of San Pietro Martire
Via Sant'Alessio
Verona, May 2025

“The church of San Pietro Martire, also called the church of San Giorgetto, is a deconsecrated Catholic church located in Verona; built on the churchyard of the Basilica of Santa Anastasia, it constitutes an interesting scenic backdrop to the Gothic square. Construction work began in 1283 and it was consecrated on 24 April 1354. From the mid- 14th century it was granted to the ‘Brandenburg’ knights following Cangrande II della Scala; subsequently it passed to a lay brotherhood, to a noble family and to the nearby Dominican convent. Suppressed during the Napoleonic occupation, today it is owned by the Municipality of Verona. Predominantly Gothic in style, its composition appears relatively simple but harmonious. The façade features a portal embellished with a suspended porch, while inside there are numerous frescoes by unknown artists, as well as works by Domenico Brusasorzi and Gian Maria Falconetto . Outside, on the rear wall, are set several finely crafted early medieval arches.” (Chiesa di San Pietro Martire, Wikipedia)

Monday, July 13, 2026

Torreón de los Guzmanes

Torreón de los Guzmanes, Plaza Corral de las Campanas, Ávila

Torreón de los Guzmanes
Plaza Corral de las Campanas
Ávila, September 2025

“The Torreón de los Guzmanes is a Renaissance building located in the Spanish city of Ávila (Castile and León). The building is also the current headquarters of the Provincial Council of Ávila. It was built in 1513 by order of Garcibáñez de Mújica, on another building that previously belonged to Sancho del Águila.In 1878, King Alfonso XII, during a visit to the city, stayed in this palace. The Argentine writer Enrique Larreta set part of his 1920 novel ‘La gloria de don Ramiro’ (The Glory of Don Ramiro) in this building.” (Torreón de los Guzmanes, Wikipedia)

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Gian Giorgio Trissino

Gian Giorgio Trissino by Giuseppe Zanetti, Giardini Salvi, Vicenza

Gian Giorgio Trissino by Giuseppe Zanetti, 1950
Giardini Salvi
Corso SS. Felice e Fortunato
Vicenza, May 2025

“Gian Giorgio Trissino (8 July 1478 – 8 December 1550), also called Giovan Giorgio Trissino and self-styled as Giovan Gi?rgio Trissino, was a Venetian Renaissance humanist, poet, dramatist, diplomat, grammarian, linguist, and philosopher. He first proposed adding letters to the Italian alphabet to distinguish J from I, and V from U. Trissino was born of a patrician family in Vicenza. He sided with Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian whose army entered Vicenza in June 1509, accompanied by members of Vicentine nobility including the Thiene, Chiericati, and Porto families. When Venice reconquered Vicenza on 12 November 1509, Trissino was punished for his betrayal and sent into exile. He then traveled to Germany and Lombardy and was pardoned by Venice in 1516. He eventually came under the protection of Pope Leo X, Pope Clement VII, and Pope Paul III. He had the advantages of a good humanistic training, studying Greek under Demetrios Chalkokondyles at Milan and philosophy under Niccolò Leoniceno at Ferrara. His culture recommended him to the humanist Pope Leo X, who in 1515 sent him to Germany as his nuncio; later on Pope Clement VII showed him special favour, and employed him as ambassador.” (Gian Giorgio Trissino, Wikipedia)

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Plaza de la Merced

Monumento a Torrijos, Plaza de la Merced, Málaga

Monumento a Torrijos
Plaza de la Merced
Málaga, March 2025

“Plaza de la Merced is a public square located in the barrio La Merced in central Málaga, Spain. The plaza has been a part of the city since the city of Málaga's Roman era, and has been operating as a town market place since at least the fifteenth century. It is one of the largest public squares in Málaga’s city center, and is also known for containing Pablo Picasso's childhood home.” (Plaza de la Merced, Wikipedia)

Friday, July 10, 2026

Museo Antoniano

Museo Antoniano, Piazza del Santo, Padova

Museo Antoniano
Piazza del Santo
Padova, May 2025

“The Antoniano Museum, annexed to the Basilica of the Saint in Padua, is a permanent exhibition of historical-artistic objects linked to the life and cult of Saint Anthony of Padua. In 1895, during the restoration of the basilica and the entire Antonian complex, it became necessary to give a home to the relics that were scattered in the Antonian Library, in the cloisters and in other areas of the convent: these were artefacts that the basilica had abandoned or received as gifts. Opened at the beginning of the twentieth century, the museum was closed in 1940 with Italy's entry into the Second World War, to be reopened in 1995 when eight centuries had passed since the birth of the Saint.” (Museo Antoniano, Wikipedia)

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Puerta de Alcalá

Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de la Independencia, Madrid

Puerta de Alcalá
Plaza de la Independencia
Madrid, September 2025

“The Puerta de Alcalá is a Neo-classical gate in the Plaza de la Independencia in Madrid, Spain. It was a gate of the former Walls of Philip IV. It stands near the city center and several meters away from the main entrance to the Parque del Buen Retiro. The square is bisected by Alcalá Street, although the street does not cross through the monument, and it is the origin of the Alfonso XII, Serrano and Olózaga streets. Its name originates from the old path from Madrid to the nearby town of Alcalá de Henares. Madrid in the late 18th century still looked like a somewhat drab borough, surrounded by medieval walls. Around the year 1774, King Charles III commissioned Francesco Sabatini to construct a monumental gate in the city wall through which an expanded road to the city of Alcalá was to pass, replacing an older, smaller, gate that stood nearby. It was inaugurated in 1778. The ornamental details were sculpted by Francisco Gutiérrez and Roberto Michel, and made of white stone from Colmenar. The architectural elements are chiefly made of granite from Segovia.” (Puerta de Alcalá, Wikipedia)

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Carlo Maggiorelli

Monument to Carlo Maggiorelli, Anconella water treatment plant, Via Villamagna, Florence

Monument to Carlo Maggiorelli, 1966
Anconella water treatment plant
Via Villamagna
Florence, December 2024

“The Monument to Carlo Maggiorelli (Italian: Monumento a Carlo Maggiorelli) is a memorial dedicated to Carlo Maggiorelli, an aqueduct worker and the first victim of the devastating 1966 Florence flood (Alluvione di Firenze). It honors his heroic sacrifice during the disaster. Maggiorelli (1915–1966) was an operaio (worker) employed by the municipal aqueduct service in Florence. On the night of November 3–4, 1966, during his night shift at the Anconella water treatment plant (Impianto di Potabilizzazione dell'Anconella) on the banks of the Arno River, the river burst its banks, flooding the city with up to 6 meters (20 feet) of water and mud in some areas. Instead of fleeing, Maggiorelli stayed at his post to secure the facility and protect the water supply for Florence. He was tragically swept away by the torrent and drowned, becoming the flood's first confirmed casualty. Unveiled in 1996 at the initiative of the association Firenze Promuove, the monument is a simple yet poignant bronze plaque and bust sculpture depicting Maggiorelli in his work uniform, symbolizing labor and heroism. It was created to preserve his memory as a local hero. Situated at the main entrance to the Anconella Water Treatment Plant. Originally inside the adjacent Parco dell'Anconella, it was relocated and restored in 2016—marking the 50th anniversary of the flood—to improve visibility from the street. The site overlooks the Arno, tying directly to the events of his death.” (Monument to Carlo Maggiorelli, Grok)

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Iglesia de la Vera Cruz

Iglesia de la Vera Cruz, Carretera de Zamarramala, Segovia

Iglesia de la Vera Cruz
Carretera de Zamarramala
Segovia, September 2025

“The church of the True Cross (Iglesia de la Vera Cruz) is a Roman Catholic church located in the San Marcos district of the city of Segovia, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in Spain. Formerly known as the Church of Holy Sepulchre, it is located to the north of the city, very close to the convent of San Juan de la Cruz, on the slope that ascends to Zamarramala, a town of which it was, for centuries, a parish church. It consists of a nave with a dodecagonal floor plan that surrounds a small central two-story shrine (edicule), to which apses and the tower were added. It is one of the best-preserved churches of this style in Europe. It was declared a Spanish Property of Cultural Interest on 4 July 1919.” (Iglesia de la Vera Cruz, Wikipedia)

Monday, July 6, 2026

Frutto Oggetto Scultura

‘Frutto Oggetto Scultura’ by Gino Bogoni, Piazza San Nicolò, Verona

‘Frutto Oggetto Scultura’ by Gino Bogoni, 1990
Piazza San Nicolò
Verona, May 2025

“‘Frutto Oggetto Scultura’ is a round bronze sculpture with a three meters long diameter, erected on a cylindrical pedestal. It was made by the sculptor Gino Bogoni (Verona, 1921-1990), who wanted to reproduce an earlier work he had created in 1967. The work was donated by Bogoni’s family to the city of Verona and inaugurated in 1999. The sculpture is in good conditions; the bronze is slightly damaged in the upper part of the sphere, because of oxidation. In the pedestal there are some signs of vandalism.” (Frutto Oggetto Scultura, VisitVerona)

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Torre del Clavero

Torre del Clavero, Calle Consuelo, Salamanca

Torre del Clavero
Calle Consuelo
Salamanca, September 2025

“The Torre del Clavero is one of the most typical and well-known monuments in the city of Salamanca, Spain. Although it is not very well documented and lacks a specific monograph. There is no agreement among historians as to who commissioned its construction, this Gothic tower is one of the best preserved in the peninsula. On the one hand, there are authors such as Villar y Macias who believe that its promoter was Mr. Baño Clavero in 1470 (the person who guarded the keys and archives of the Order of Alcántara), hence its name, or it is thought that it was commissioned by Francisco Soto Mayor, a member of the aforementioned order. On the other hand, there are those who say that it was commissioned by Diego de Anaya, also a member of the same Order of Alcántara; this thesis is defended by researcher González Dávila y Dorado. It is true that the heraldic emblems of both decorate and adorn their walls. The Clavero Tower was erected in the second half of the 15th century, although there is some controversy as to its function, whether it was a defensive tower or an integral part of a palace in the second half of the 15th century. Although its height is low to be defensive, some authors assume that the tower was attached to a civil construction; if so, it would follow a typical construction of urban buildings, so Professor Edward Cooper points out that it could have been a reduced imitation of the Cordoban Castle of Belalcázar, whose tower is practically identical and with which there are existing links. Other authors, such as Álvarez Villar, think that its layout and height do not allow us to imagine any type of defense. Again in the 15th century, its status as a noble promotion will be seen, although we must not forget the very important Board of Trustees of the University existing at the time”. (Torre del Clavero, Wikipedia)

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Muscovy duck

Muscovy duck, Giardini Salvi, Vicenza

Muscovy duck
Giardini Salvi
Corso SS. Felice e Fortunato
Vicenza, May 2025

“The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is a shelduck native to the Americas, from the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Mexico south to Argentina and Uruguay. The species has been domesticated, and feral Muscovy ducks can be found locally in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and in Central and Eastern Europe. It is a large duck, with the males significantly larger than the females. The males are 76–84 cm (30–33 in) long and weigh up to 3–4 kg (6.6–8.8 lb); females are 71–76 cm (28–30 in) long and 1.25 kg (2.8 lb) weight, roughly half the weight of the males. The wingspan is from 137 to 152 cm (54 to 60 in). The plumage is predominantly black, with large white patches on the wing; the back and wing feathers being iridescent and glossy in males, while the females are more drab. Muscovy ducks have long claws on their feet and a wide, flat tail. On the head, the male has a short crest on the nape. The bill is black with a speckling of pale pink. A blackish or dark red knob can be seen at the bill base, which is similar in colour to the bare skin of the face. The eyes are yellowish-brown. The legs and webbed feet are blackish. The female is similar in plumage, but smaller, with a feathered face and lacking the prominent knob. The juvenile is duller overall, with little or no white on the wing.” (Muscovy duck, Wikipedia)

Friday, July 3, 2026

Palacio de los Superunda

Palacio de los Superunda, Plaza Corral de las Campanas, Ávila

Palacio de los Superunda
Plaza Corral de las Campanas
Ávila, September 2025

“The Palacio de los Superunda is a building in the Spanish city of Ávila , Castile and León . It has the status of Site of Cultural Interest. Located in the Castilian-Leonese city of Ávila, within the walled enclosure, close to the gates of the Matadero and the Rastro, along with other buildings of outstanding artistic and historical value. The palace, of Italian style, was built in the 16th century. In 1595 the stonemason Juan Vela carried out the works of the façade. Although its first resident was Ochoa de Aguirre, it owes its name to the Count of Superunda and Marquis of Bermudo, who had the opportunity to inherit it in the 19th century. This is a beautifully proportioned Renaissance building with a square floor plan. It consists of a basement, two floors, and two turrets at the ends of the main façade that break its horizontal character. The organization of the façade, although overall symmetrical, is not so in detail, as the doorway is under one of the side turrets.” (Palacio de los Superunda, Wikipedia)

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Alberto Cavalletto

Monument to Alberto Cavalletto by Augusto Sanavio, Via Cavalletto, Padua

Monument to Alberto Cavalletto by Augusto Sanavio, 1902
Via Cavalletto
Padua, May 2025

“Alberto Cavalletto (Padua, 28 November 1813 – Padua, 19 October 1897) was an Italian politician. He was a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1860 and a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Kingdom of Italy from 1864 to 1865 and from 1868 to 1892. In that year he was appointed senator of the Kingdom of Italy. He was born in Bassanello, a riverside suburb of Padua, on November 28, 1813, to Antonio Cavalletto and Maria Sandri. He graduated in hydraulic engineering from the University of Padua. He joined the ranks of the Liberals at a very young age, and in 1848 he fought in Vicenza as a major in the Brenta Bacchiglione Legion and played an active role in the defense of Venice. Arrested by the Austrian police in 1852, he was sentenced to death together with Tito Speri, Giovanni Malaman and other patriots, but obtained a commutation of the sentence to sixteen years of imprisonment, which was served in Josefstadt and Ljubljana. Released with the amnesty of 1856, he moved to Piedmont, where he continued his patriotic work in favour of the unification of Italy under the Savoy. From January 1859, Cavalletto became a key figure in the Central Political Committee of Veneto, created to coordinate the local secret committees that acted in the territory with propaganda actions against the Habsburg government. In the last years of Austrian domination in Veneto, Cavalletto was the instigator (or accomplice of the organisers) of various attacks and the throwing of ‘Orsini bombs’ against the houses of priests and private citizens accused of opposing unification. The Political Committee, of which the Paduan was secretary, was also responsible for financing protest demonstrations in Veneto and Friuli, characterised by the lighting of ‘Bengal fires’ and the display of tricolours.” (Alberto Cavalletto, Wikipedia)

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Patatas Paco José

Patatas Paco José, Calle Souviron, Málaga

Patatas Paco José
Calle Souviron
Málaga, March 2025

“In Malaga there is a blue and yellow store with a giant lollipop at the door, in the middle of the gray buildings of the city that forced me to take a break. The store Paco José, in fact, is a factory of fried potatoes and other types of chips. But also sells everything is crap. In a good way, of course! Rather than buying potatoes, I was intrigued with a pot of ‘stone balls’ with the perfectly shaped stones that are on the ground in any city, but which are actually sugar candies.” (Patatas and more, Minube)

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Castel San Pietro

Castel San Pietro, Piazzale Castel San Pietro, Verona

Castel San Pietro
Piazzale Castel San Pietro
Verona, May 2025

“Colle San Pietro (Saint Peter’s Hill) is a hill, which rises a few hundred meters above the Roman Theatre. It is a place of great touristic interest. It's possible to reach it on foot thanks to the suggestive stairway that leaving from Ponte Pietra bordering the Roman Theatre, swiftly leads to its top. You can also easily reach Castel San Pietro using the funicular, so enjoying the view of the city. Then you can come back through a pleasant walk alongside the Roman Theatre, reaching Ponte Pietra. During the Roman age the hill was called ‘Monte Gallo’ (Rooster Mountain), and had a strong religious function because of its temple and theatre which is still preserved. The name ‘Colle San Pietro’ was given to the hill during the Medieval Period when a church dedicated to Saint Peter was erected on the remains of the ancient Roman temple. Being a strategic place of the town, starting from the medieval period up to 1321, when Cangrande della Scala was lord of the town, was fortified as a battlements point as typical of that historical period. Between the XIV and XV centuries, the hill, together with lots of other building works, the famous Castello Visconteo (the Castel of the Viscount) was erected, the reason being Gian Galeazzo Visconti, lord of the town, wanted the place to become a fortified stronghold controlling the whole town. The fortified citadel gained further importance with the Serenissima, which maintained the castle and constructed more around it. In 1801, when the Napoleonic army arrived, most of the ancient buildings were destroyed. The function of the site definitively chanced when the Austrians arrived. The ancient Saint Peter’s church was destroyed and, according to field marshal Radetzky will, an army base and barracks were built as a residence for the Austrian soldiers. The barracks are still at the top of the hill. The fortress style, designed by the Austrian engineer-officer Conrad Petrasch, dramatically changed the original look of the site: the structure had a clearly military look even though ‘softened’ by the crenels resembling the ancient ‘mura scaligere’, the surrounding city walls. The historical name ‘Castel San Pietro’ remains to identify this architectural complex rich in history. Thanks to its rich historical vestiges that still are preserved, Saint Peter’s Hill is a picturesque place, full of history and charm. Loved by tourists but most of all by Veronese people, it is a place not to be missed to enjoy the magnificent view of the fascinating Scaliger town.” (Castle San Pietro, VisitVerona)

Monday, June 29, 2026

Torres de Colón

Torres de Colón (Columbus Towers) by Antonio Lamela, Calle de Génova, Chamberí, Madrid

Torres de Colón (Columbus Towers) by Antonio Lamela, 1976
Calle de Génova, Chamberí
Madrid, September 2025

“Columbus Towers or Torres de Colón is a highrise office building composed of twin towers located at the Plaza de Colón in Madrid, Spain. The building constructed in 1976 was designed by the architect Antonio Lamela. The building with its 116-meter height and 23 floors is the twelfth-tallest in the Spanish capital (counting the CTBA towers). It was the headquarters of the Rumasa company, during which time its name was changed to Torres de Jerez (Towers of Jerez), in honour of the home town of the company. It is currently valued at $116 million. It is found in and dominates the Plaza de Colón, one of the major commercial centres in Madrid. The twin buildings are known locally as ‘El Enchufe’ or ‘The Plug’ for the plug-like structure that binds them. The towers have a suspended structure; the building consists of two pillars together on top of a platform from which hang two large towers with perimeter beams six feet singing with pendulums each floor with cable-stayed steel cables. Construction commenced with the concrete footings, the two central pillars and the upper platform. Then the towers were built from top to bottom, from the upper platform plant to plant closer to the base of the building. At the base, three floors (six floors including basements) were built from the bottom up. The glass facades are covered with maroon and green and there is a structure (the ‘plug’ added later) at the top. The building houses offices of various companies and shops on the lower floors.” (Torres de Colón, Wikipedia)

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Paolo Rossi

Paolo Rossi, Torre Everest, Viale Torino, Vicenza

Paolo Rossi by Eduardo Kobra, 2024
Torre Everest
Viale Torino
Vicenza, May 2025

“Footballer and symbol of the Italian national team, with which he won the world championship in 1982, Paolo Rossi was a great talent of Italian football and sport. The latest mural by Eduardo Kobra (São Paulo, 1975), the internationally renowned Brazilian street artist known for his pop frescoes inspired by great historical figures, is dedicated to him. Recognized throughout the world for his kaleidoscopic style and strong graphic impact, the painter from São Paulo was ‘hired’ by the cultural association Wallabe to create a huge open-air painting in homage to the iconic footballer. The location chosen for the intervention (financed by a special crowdfunding campaign and thanks to the significant contribution of the Hera Group) was the Everest Tower, a seventeen-story building that is a symbol of the city of Vicenza and of the economic boom of the 1950s. Paolo Rossi spent several years of his career in the Veneto capital, remaining tied to the city even after the footballer's transfer to Juventus. With the artistic direction of Federica Sansoni, Eduardo Kobra's urban intervention aims to reaffirm the love of this place towards the athlete, condensing the values ??of humility, dedication and resilience that have always been associated with the figure of ‘Pablito’ into a huge outdoor fresco.” (Omaggio a Paolo Rossi, Artribune)

Saturday, June 27, 2026

Daoiz and Velarde

Monument to Daoiz and Velarde by Aniceto Marinas, Plaza de la Reina Victoria Eugenia, Segovia

Monument to Daoiz and Velarde by Aniceto Marinas, 1910
Plaza de la Reina Victoria Eugenia
Segovia, September 2025

“The Monument to Daoiz and Velarde (Spanish: Monumento a Daoiz y Velarde) is an instance of public art in Segovia, Spain. Designed by Aniceto Marinas, it is a memorial to Luis Daoiz y Torres and Pedro Velarde y Santillán, two Spanish artillery officers who fell fighting against the French army at the 1808 Dos de Mayo Uprising, in the context of the Peninsular War. It is located near the Alcázar of Segovia. The laying of the foundation stone was held on 6 May 1908, on the occasion of the festivities taking place in early May for the 100th anniversary of the Dos de Mayo uprising.” (Monument to Daoiz and Velarde, Wikipedia)

Friday, June 26, 2026

Cathedral and Baptistery

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and Baptistery, Piazza Duomo, Padua

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and Baptistery
Piazza Duomo
Padua, May 2025

“Padua Cathedral, or Basilica Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption (Italian: Duomo di Padova; Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta), is a Catholic church and minor basilica located on the east end of Piazza Duomo, adjacent to the bishop's palace in Padua, Veneto, Italy. The cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is the seat of the Bishop of Padua. The church building, first erected as a cathedral in the 4th century, has undergone major reconstructions over the centuries.” (Padua Cathedral, Wikipedia)
“The Padua Baptistery, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is a baptistery on the Piazza del Duomo next to the cathedral in Padua, Italy. Preserved inside is one of the most important fresco cycles of the 14th century, a masterpiece by Giusto de' Menabuoi. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Padua's fourteenth-century fresco cycles, inscribed in 2021 for its outstanding cultural and artistic significance.” (Padua Baptistery, Wikipedia)

Thursday, June 25, 2026

Convento de las Dueñas

Convento de las Dueñas, Plaza del Concilio de Trento, Salamanca

Convento de las Dueñas
Plaza del Concilio de Trento
Salamanca, September 2025

“The Convento de las Dueñas is a Dominican convent located in the city of Salamanca. It was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. The convent was founded in 1419 by Juana Rodriguez de Monroy in the palace that was property of her husband, Juan Sánchez de Sevilla, a prominent converso. The church and the cloister were built around 1533. The convent preserves some of the original mudejar gates of the palace. One of them leads to the cloister. The capitals of the upper storey are among the more prominent examples of the Plateresque.” (Convento de las Dueñas, Wikipedia)

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Taras Shevchenko

Taras Shevchenko by Oleg Pinchuk, Biblioteca delle Oblate, Via dell'Oriuolo, Florence

Taras Shevchenko by Oleg Pinchuk, 2021
Biblioteca delle Oblate
Via dell'Oriuolo
Florence, January 2025

“Florence has a long-standing relationship with Kyiv, having been twinned with the capital of Ukraine since July 27, 1967, when Catholic Mayor Piero Bargellini sought diplomacy with his Communist counterpart during the Cold War, a year after the devastating Florence flood of 1966. Sharing a history based on culture, in 2015, Florence gave a statue of Dante to Kyiv and, in 2021, the capital of Ukraine reciprocated by gifting a statue of the poet Taras Shevchenko to Florence, which continues to stand in the courtyard of the Oblate library. Just step through the gate and turn to the right. The base bears the powerful inscription: ‘Great Ukrainian poet, painter, thinker and humanist. Defender of freedom and civic duty. Fight and you will win’.” (Florence and Kyiv stand side by side, The Florentine)

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Iglesia de San Juan

Iglesia de San Juan, Calle Martín Carramolino, Ávila

Iglesia de San Juan
Calle Martín Carramolino
Ávila, September 2025

“The Church of San Juan is a Catholic temple located in the Spanish city of Ávila, in Castile and León. The building is located in the Plaza del Mercado Chico in Ávila, where it has one of its doors, although the main one is the one that opens onto San Juan Street. Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada was baptized in this church and over the years became known as Saint Teresa of Jesus. It was declared a national historical-artistic monument on April 13, 1983, by a decree published on June 11, 1983 in the Official State Gazette , with the signatures of King Juan Carlos I and the then Minister of Culture Javier Solana.” (Iglesia de San Juan, Wikipedia)

Monday, June 22, 2026

Corte Sgarzarie

The 4th century Mangano loggia, Corte Sgarzarie, Verona

The 4th century Mangano loggia
Corte Sgarzarie
Verona, May 2025

“Corte Sgarzerie is a monumental complex located in the heart of the old town of Verona, at a short distance from Corso Porta Borsari and Piazza delle Erbe, consisting of a square by the same name and a late-medieval loggia. Under the square are located the remnants of the Veronese ‘Capitolium’. It is a place deeply rooted to wool production, as the toponym itself attests – ‘sgarzarie’ is a Veronese form of the word ‘scardasserie’, places dedicated to the carding activity. During the thirteenth century the Veronese wool industry activity increased significantly, to the point that the techniques of production and the production itself became highly sought after in several markets of northern and central Italy. During the principality of Mastino II della Scala, the activity reached even higher levels of production, and several measures were taken to better organize the whole manufacturing effort, concentrated mainly at Corte Sgarzerie. Therefore, it was likely that during his government that the so-called Mangano loggia was built; this was located in the center of the square and still gives its unique characteristics today; this was in fact necessary to give more space to wool workers, as it could measure, weigh and stamp products and gave opportunity to negotiate and haggle.” (Corte Sgarzerie, Wikipedia)

Sunday, June 21, 2026

Fuente de Reding

Fuente de Reding (Reding Fountain), Paseo de Sancha, Málaga

Fuente de Reding (Reding Fountain), 1675
Paseo de Sancha
Málaga, March 2025

“The Reding Fountain is a historic 17th century fountain located in the Andalusian city of Málaga, Spain. It has been reproduced countless times by local painters. It is located at one end of Príes Avenue and, although it is currently connected to the public water supply network, it previously channeled spring water from Mount Gibralfaro. It is a drinking fountain built in marble and attached to a pediment between pilasters that give it a monumental appearance. At the bottom, above the basin, there is a figurehead in the shape of an imaginary fish surrounded by acanthus and borders, from whose mouth the fountain's single spout flows. Above this figurehead is a marble plaque with an inscription relating to the road renovation that gave rise to the current Paseo de Reding, as well as the completion date of the work. Between the basin and the figurehead is an inscription relating to the construction of Paseo de Reding itself and the restoration of the fountain during the time of Theodore Reding.” (Fuente de Reding, Wikipedia)

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Parco Querini

Parco Querini, Viale Rumor, Vicenza

Parco Querini
Viale Rumor
Vicenza, May 2025

“Querini Park is one of the main green lungs of the city of Vicenza. Located in the historic center, it is characterized by vast expanses of lawns, bordered by a large wood full of plants and has an extension of approximately 12 hectares. Querini Park is located in the north-eastern sector of the historic center, surrounded on two sides by the banks of the Bacchiglione river and its tributary Astichello , and on the third side by the line of the Venetian walls, along today's Viale Rodolfi. From the back of Palazzo Querini, a majestic tree-lined avenue branches off, flanked by classical statues, which runs lengthwise through the park until it reaches the pond surrounding a small island (not accessible to the public despite the pedestrian bridge), surmounted by a small temple.” (Parco Querini, Wikipedia)

Friday, June 19, 2026

Museo Sorolla

Museo Sorolla, Paseo del General Martínez Campos, Chamberí, Madrid

Museo Sorolla
Paseo del General Martínez Campos, Chamberí
Madrid, September 2025

“The Sorolla Museum (Spanish: Museo Sorolla) is a single-artist museum in Madrid, Spain, devoted to the work and life of Joaquín Sorolla and the members of his family, such as his daughter Elena. The museum is located in the house that was the artist's home and workshop, which was converted into a museum after the death of his widow. It is one of the National Museums of Spain and it is attached to the Ministry of Culture. The building was designed by Enrique María Repullés. The principal rooms continue to be furnished as they were during the artist's life, including Sorolla's large, well-lit studio, where the walls are filled with his canvasses. Other rooms are used as galleries to display Sorolla's paintings, while the upstairs rooms are a gallery for temporary exhibitions. In 2014, these rooms presented an exhibition of David Palacin photographs of the ballet Sorolla produced by the Spanish National Dance Company.” (Sorolla Museum, Wikipedia)

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Loggia del Consiglio

Loggia del Consiglio (Lodge of Council or of Gran Guardia), Piazza dei Signori, Padua

Loggia del Consiglio (Lodge of Council or of Gran Guardia)
Piazza dei Signori
Padua, May 2025

"The Loggia del Consiglio, also known as the Loggia della Gran Guardia, is a Renaissance building overlooking Piazza dei Signori in Padua. It was built starting in 1491 as the seat of the Gran Consiglio. It was built on a project presented by Annibale Maggi and the construction was completed in 1536, according to some studies, under the direction of Giovanni Maria Falconetto. The upper hall was frescoed in 1667 by Pier Antonio Torri. During the Austrian domination it became the seat of the ‘Gran Guardia’, the military command of the city.” (Loggia del Consiglio, Wikipedia)

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

San Juan de los Caballeros

Iglesia de San Juan de los Caballeros (Museo Zuloaga), Plaza de Colmenares, Segovia

Iglesia de San Juan de los Caballeros (Museo Zuloaga)
Plaza de Colmenares
Segovia, September 2025

“The church of San Juan de los Caballeros is a building in the Spanish city of Segovia. Once a Catholic church, it now houses the Zuloaga Museum. The Romanesque style church of San Juan de los Caballeros is located in the Plaza de Colmenares in the city of Segovia. It was owned by Daniel Zuloaga, who used it as an artist's studio.” (Iglesia de San Juan de los Caballeros, Wikipedia)

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Casa-galleria Vichi

Casa-galleria Vichi by Giovanni Michelazzi, Via Borgo Ognissanti, Florence

Casa-galleria Vichi by Giovanni Michelazzi, 1911
Via Borgo Ognissanti
Florence, January 2025

“The Casa-galleria Vichi (Vichi house-gallery) is an Art Nouveau building in Florence, located in via Borgo Ognissanti, a few steps from the church of Ognissanti. The house was built according to a design by the architect Giovanni Michelazzi on commission from Argia Marinai nei Vichi and is, in addition to the most representative work of this architect, one of the few Liberty style buildings in the centre of Florence, certainly the most representative for the programmatic desire to adhere to the new style, proposed in a very personal way and without any compromise with local tradition. Since it appears to have been registered in the Old Urban Cadastre in 1913, it can be considered completed in 1911: in the years 1913-1914 Michelazzi himself lived there and probably also set up his studio there. In 2009, given the precarious state of conservation of the façade and its evident value, both for the overall design (the building has been subject to architectural constraints since 1965) and for the quality of the fake travertine (of extraordinary chromatic and material verisimilitude as can be seen by comparing it with that of the nearby church of Ognissanti), the front was subjected to careful restoration based on the design and direction of the works by the architect Renzo Funaro and the high supervision of the competent Superintendency (architect Lia Pescatori). Restorer Francesca Piccolino Boniforti worked on the artificial stone elements.” (Casa-galleria Vichi, Wikipedia)

Monday, June 15, 2026

Convento de San Esteban

Convento de San Esteban, Plaza del Concilio de Trento, Salamanca

Convento de San Esteban
Plaza del Concilio de Trento
Salamanca, September 2025

“The Convento de San Esteban is a Dominican monastery of Plateresque style, situated in the Plaza del Concilio de Trento (Square of the Council of Trent) in Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain. The Dominicans settled in Salamanca between 1255 and 1256. On the present site of the convent, occupied by the parish church of San Esteban, they built the primitive convent, later destroyed to build the present one, in 1524 on the initiative of Cardinal Friar Juan Álvarez de Toledo. Its construction lasted until 1610, with the participation of Friar Martín de Santiago, Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, Juan Ribero de Rada and Pedro Gutiérrez. However, the plan and design are by Juan de Álava, who began the work in 1524, as evidenced by the preserved plan of this same master. Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón was in charge of the transept with the dome and the chancel. Although it is considered an excellent example of the Plateresque style, the length of its construction phases explains the mixture of styles ranging from the final Gothic to the Baroque, a style that is not very noticeable in its architecture but is well present in the main altarpiece by José Benito de Churriguera.” (Convento de San Esteban, Wikipedia)

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Porta Leoni

Porta Leoni (Gate of the Lions), Via Leoni, Verona

Porta Leoni (Gate of the Lions)
Via Leoni
Verona, May 2025

“Porta Leoni (Gate of the Lions) is an ancient Roman gate in Verona, northern Italy. The gate was built during the Roman Republic by P. Valerius, Q. Caecilius, Q. Servilius and P. Cornelius, and restructured in imperial times. It was connected to the road which led to Bologna and Aquileia. The original Roman name is unknown. During the Middle Ages it was called Porta San Fermo, due to the nearby church, while in the Renaissance it was known as ‘Arco di Valerio’. The current name derives from a Roman tomb decorated with two lions (Italian: leoni), now moved near Ponte Navi. The gate has a square structures, with a double façade and two towers which looked towards the countryside. Now only half of the inner façade, covered with white stone in the imperial age, and the foundings are visible. The original decorations are all lost. The lower part is similar to that of Porta Borsari (also in Verona), while the upper part has an exedra with twisted columns.” (Porta Leoni, Wikipedia)

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Iglesia de San Ignacio de Loyola

Iglesia de San Ignacio de Loyola, Plaza Teniente Arévalo, Ávila

Iglesia de San Ignacio de Loyola
Plaza Teniente Arévalo
Ávila, September 2025

“It dates back to 1623 with the acquisition by Archbishop Diego de Guzmán of some medieval buildings renovated in the 16th century, within the Dávila palace complex and adjoining the southern section of the wall within the walls. On the northern façade, a series of elements remain (a massive defensive tower, twin windows, and a large voussoired doorway) that denote its civil origin. The Jesuits settled there, adapting the acquired buildings to serve as a church, school, and hospice. After the expulsion of the Society of Jesus—decreed by Charles III in 1775—the premises became the Episcopal Palace (a function it still performs today), and the church was renamed Santo Tomé el Nuevo. It has three naves, each topped by its own apse (which, surprisingly, faces west), with no transept and a dome on pendentives; the side apses are unremarkable on the exterior. Inside, a high gallery, like a tribune and an exceptional case in the city of Ávila, runs along the side naves, serving as the Episcopal Archive. The different chapels house an interesting collection of Baroque and Churrigueresque altarpieces.” (San Ignacio de Loyola, ÁvilaTurismo)

Friday, June 12, 2026

Palazzo Chiericati

Palazzo Chiericati, Piazza Matteotti, Vicenza

Palazzo Chiericati
Piazza Matteotti
Vicenza, May 2025

“The Palazzo Chiericati is a Renaissance palace in Vicenza (northern Italy), designed by Andrea Palladio. Palladio was asked to design and build the palazzo by Count Girolamo Chiericati. The architect started building the palace in 1550, and some further work was completed under the patronage of Chiericati's son, Valerio. However, the palazzo was not fully finished until about 1680, possibly by Carlo Borella. Palladio also designed a country home, the Villa Chiericati, for the family. The palazzo was built in an area called ‘piazza dell'Isola’ (island square, currently Piazza Matteotti), which housed the wood and cattle market. At that time, it was an islet surrounded by the Retrone and Bacchiglione streams, and to protect the structure from the frequent floods, Palladio designed it on an elevated position: the entrance could be accessed by a triple Classic-style staircase.” (Palazzo Chiericati, Wikipedia)

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Centro de Ciberseguridad de Andalucía

Centro de Ciberseguridad de Andalucía, Paseo del Muelle Uno, Málaga

Centro de Ciberseguridad de Andalucía
Palmeral de las Sorpresas
Paseo del Muelle Uno
Málaga, March 2025

“Located in the Palmeral de las Sorpresas, on Muelle 2 of the Port of Malaga, the Andalusian Cybersecurity Center is a cutting-edge institution destined to become the most important in Southern Europe. A benchmark center created with the mission of coordinating the Andalusian Cybersecurity Strategy 2022-2025. The building features modern facilities and houses the Andalusian Regional Government's Security Operations Center (SOC), as well as separate spaces designed to offer specific services to citizens, private companies, and public institutions within the Andalusian digital ecosystem.” (Centro de Ciberseguridad de Andalucía, Junta de Andalucía)

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Palazzo della Ragione

Palazzo della Ragione, Piazza delle Erbe, Padua

Palazzo della Ragione
Piazza delle Erbe
Padua, May 2025

“The Palazzo della Ragione is a medieval market hall, town hall and palace of justice building in Padua, in the Veneto region of Italy. The upper floor was dedicated to the town and justice administration; while the ground floor still hosts the historical covered market of the city. The palace separates the two market squares of Piazza delle Erbe from Piazza dei Frutti. It is popularly called il Salone (the big hall). It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed as ‘Padua’s fourteenth-century fresco cycles’ in 2021. The building, with its great hall on the upper floor is believed to be one of the largest medieval halls still extant. The hall is nearly rectangular, its length 81.5m, its breadth 27m, and its height 24 m; the walls are covered with allegorical frescoes. The building stands on arches, and the upper storey is flanked by an open loggia, not unlike that which surrounds the Basilica Palladiana in Vicenza, that was indeed inspired by Padua's Palazzo della Ragione.” (Palazzo della Ragione,Wikipedia)

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Monumento a Calvo Sotelo

Monumento a Calvo Sotelo by Carlos Ferreira de la Torre, Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid

Monumento a Calvo Sotelo by Carlos Ferreira de la Torre, 1960
Paseo de la Castellana
Madrid, September 2025

“The Monument to Calvo Sotelo (Spanish: Monumento a Calvo Sotelo) is an instance of public art located in Madrid, Spain. Erected on the south of the Plaza de Castilla, it is dedicated to José Calvo Sotelo, who was assassinated shortly before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. The monument was an initiative of the ‘National Junta’ for the homage to the Glorious Proto-Martyr of the Crusade Don José Calvo Sotelo, an entity reanimated in 1954 by the Francoist dictatorship in order to resume earlier Burgos government's projects dating back to 1938 intending to commemorate the aforementioned politician and delayed by the then ongoing state of war. The location of the monument was decided in 1958. Commissioned to Manuel Manzano-Monís (architect) and Carlos Ferreira de la Torre (sculptor), the monument fuses the aesthetics of Italian fascism with the Spanish vanguard of the time. Made of reinforced concrete, the single written inscription on the material reads ‘España a Calvo Sotelo’ (Spain to Calvo Sotelo). It was unveiled on 13 July 1960. It was slightly relocated in 1992 during the works of reform of the Plaza de Castilla and put on a raised platform in the south end of the plaza. Its frontal perspective generates an axis of symmetry with the Puerta de Europa twin towers.” (Monument to Calvo Sotelo, Wikipedia)

Monday, June 8, 2026

Hercules and the Lion

Ercole e il Leone (Hercules and the Lion) by  Romano Romanelli, Piazza Ognissanti, Florence

“Ercole e il Leone” (Hercules and the Lion) by Romano Romanelli, 1935
Piazza Ognissanti
Florence, January 2025

“At the centre of the square there is currently a bronze group by Romano Romanelli depicting ‘Hercules and the Lion’, created in 1935 and placed here in 1937, replacing a previous monument depicting Daniele Manin (work by Urbano Nono from 1890) moved to Piazzale Galileo along Viale dei Colli, in the Arcetri area.” (Piazza Ognissanti, Wikipedia)

Sunday, June 7, 2026

Casa de las Cadenas

Casa de las Cadenas, Plaza del Conde de Cheste, Segovia

Casa de las Cadenas
Plaza del Conde de Cheste
Segovia, September 2025

“The Casa de las Cadenas (House of Chains) is a building in the Spanish city of Segovia. It has the status of a Site of Cultural Interest. It is a defensive building with origins as old as the walls to which it is attached. The building was part of one of the abutments of the now-disappeared San Juan Gate that served as an entrance to the city, as a defensive bastion that protected the northeastern flank of the city. It is located at number 6, Plaza del Conde de Cheste.” (Casa de las Cadenas, Wikipedia)

Saturday, June 6, 2026

San Bernardino

Church of San Bernardino, Stradone Antonio Provolo, Verona

Church of San Bernardino
Stradone Antonio Provolo
Verona, May 2025

“San Bernardino is a church in Verona, northern Italy. The church, in Gothic style, was built from 1451 to 1466. The church's origin are connected to the presence of San Bernardino in the city from 1422, during which he founded a convent of nuns for the order of the Minor Friars and, later, another one for monks. He was canonized in 1450, six years after his death, and in 1451-1452 his successor Giovanni da Capestrano, with the bishop of Verona, Francesco Condulmerio, started the construction of a large complex for the order in Verona, with the support of the Venetian doge Francesco Foscari. This was consecrated in 1453, though the nave and its ceiling were completed only in 1466. Later a smaller aisle was added. The six bells in E are rung with Veronese bellringing art.” (San Bernardino, Wikipedia)

Friday, June 5, 2026

Catedral Vieja de Santa María

Catedral Vieja de Santa María (Old Cathedral of Santa María), Plaza Juan XXIII, Salamanca

Catedral Vieja de Santa María
(Old Cathedral of Santa María)
Plaza Juan XXIII
Salamanca, September 2025

“The Cathedral of Santa María (Spanish: Catedral Vieja de Santa María), known as the Old Cathedral, is one of the two cathedrals in Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain. Founded by Bishop Jerome of Périgord, its construction began in the first third of the 12th century and was finished at the end of the 14th century, in Romanesque and Gothic style. It was finished thanks to the impulse given to the works by Bishop Alfonso Barasaque. It is dedicated to Saint Mary of the See (Santa María de la Sede). It began to be built on the initiative of its first bishop, Jerome of Périgord (died in 1120) after the restoration of the diocese of Salamanca by King Alfonso VI of León, and after the repopulation of the city carried out by his son-in-law Raymond of Burgundy. This was a period in which Romanesque was giving way to Gothic, something that can be seen in the difference between the pillars and the starts of the ribbed vaults, since there is no constructive continuity between them, as the former were designed to support a barrel vault, and the cathedral was completed in 1236.” (Old Cathedral of Salamanca, Wikipedia)

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Cloister of San Lorenzo

Cloister, church of San Lorenzo, Piazza San Lorenzo, Vicenza

Cloister
Church of San Lorenzo
Piazza San Lorenzo
Vicenza, May 2025

“The original cloister, built in the first half of the fourteenth century, was lost and replaced by the current one at the end of the fifteenth century, in elegant classical-Renaissance forms. In the centre of the courtyard, a Gothic wellhead from the second half of the fourteenth century was placed in the last century, which bears the coat of arms of the Loschi family on its four sides. On the northern side, under the portico surmounted by the convent cells, the chapter house opens up, flanked by two beautiful late thirteenth-century mullioned windows with elegant white marble columns, inserted into pointed Gothic arches. Also under the portico, on the eastern and western sides, numerous tombstones, statues and funerary urns belonging to different centuries, collected when, in the nineteenth century, it was decided to make San Lorenzo the city temple.” (Church of San Lorenzo, Wikipedia)