Convento de San José

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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

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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

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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

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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)

La Casa Encendida

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La Casa Encendida
Ronda de Valencia
Madrid, September 2025

“La Casa Encendida is a social and cultural centre in central Madrid (on the Ronda de Valencia where it is met by Calle Valencia). It began operations in December 2002. It belongs to the Fundación Montemadrid (the formal title of which is Fundación Obra Social y Monte de Piedad de Madrid), a social responsibility entity set up by the Spanish bank Caja Madrid. Among its activities are avant-garde art exhibitions, and running courses and workshops on social matters, culture and the environment. The cultural programme includes performance art, film, exhibitions and other forms of contemporary creativity. It developed as a place which particularly supports young artists. The name La Casa Encendida (The Burning House in English) is taken from the eponymous book of the poet Luis Rosales Camacho, whose heirs gave their permission for its use” (La Casa Encendida, Wikipedia)

Bruno Ruffo

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Bruno Ruffo by Marco Da Ronco, 2009
Via Roma
Verona, May 2025

“Bruno Ruffo (Colognola ai Colli, 1920 – Verona, 2007) was an talian motorcyclist. His career began in 1937 and he won several sports competitions. He won the first racing world championship in 1949, in the 250cc class, and other two world competitions in 1950 and 1951. After two motorbike crashes he decided to resign from motorbike competitions and became a car driver for Alfa Romeo and Maserati. He abandoned racing in 1958. The monument, made in bronze by Marco Da Ronco, was inaugurated on 4th December 2009. It represents a stylised human figure on a motorbike.” (Statua dedicata a Bruno Ruffo, VisitVerona)

Casa de la Química

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Casa de la Química
Plaza de la Reina Victoria Eugenia
Segovia, September 2025

“The Casa de la Química (House of Chemistry) is located in the Plaza de la Reina Victoria Eugenia, east of the colossal fortress of the Alcázar of Segovia. A work by Sabatini and the most notable example of Neoclassical architecture in Segovia, it is a building that, in addition to its architectural uniqueness, offers exceptional historical value as a cultural and scientific centre during a crucial period in the history of Spain. It was built between 1787 and 1790 as a laboratory for the Royal College of Artillery and its creation was part of the changes carried out by the Bourbons in 18th century Spain. Joseph Louis Proust, a prominent French chemist, was the director of the laboratory for 13 years and taught chemistry and metallurgy. His research, carried out during his time in Segovia, was of capital importance, formulating fundamental concepts such as the Law of Definite Proportions. Furthermore, Proust marked a historic milestone by carrying out the first flight for military purposes in history.” (Casa de la Química, Wikipedia)

Farmacia al Redentor

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Farmacia al Redentor
Piazza delle Erbe
Vicenza, May 2025

“The Farmacia al Redentor is located in one of the most characteristic corners of the centre of Vicenza, Piazza delle Erbe, in the shadow of the Basilica Palladiana. Entering it today is like taking a leap back in history: walnut furniture dating back to 1850, a painting depicting the Annunciation, stills, ancient pharmacy jars and a wooden statue of the ‘Redentor’, the symbol of the pharmacy itself. Upon entering, you feel like you're visiting an ancient pharmacy. Over the years, however, the business has successfully blended its tradition with the modern needs of the pharmaceutical market, offering customers a complete solution for every need and optimizing its service to meet today's dynamics. Stepping into a shop like this pharmacy is highly recommended, even just to admire a glimpse—almost unchanged—of the ancient shops of Vicenza.” (Farmacia al Redentor, Le Botteghe Storiche di Vicenza)

Iglesia de la Vera Cruz

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Iglesia de la Vera Cruz
Campo de San Francisco
Salamanca, September 2025

“The Iglesia de la Vera Cruz, located in the city of Salamanca, is a Baroque temple and home to the Illustrious Brotherhood of the Holy Cross of the Redeemer and the Immaculate Conception, his Mother, the oldest of the penitential brotherhoods in the city. It is referred to interchangeably as a Church, a Hermitage, and more commonly, a Chapel. This church was commissioned by its titular brotherhood and dates from the mid- 16th century according to a project by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, although it was renovated in Baroque style (1714) by Joaquín Churriguera. From the early Renaissance period, remains only the façade and the niche with the image of the Immaculate Conception, the work of Sebastián Dávila.” (Iglesia de la Vera Cruz, Wikipedia)

Oratory of San Michele

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Oratory of San Michele
Riviera Tiso da Camposampiero
Padua, May 2025

“The San Michele Oratory or Oratory of San Michele (Italian: Oratorio di San Michele) is an oratory chapel in Padova, Italy. The interior is painted with a cycle of frescoes on the life of the Virgin Mary by Jacopo da Verona. It first arose near the Torlonga del Castello Carrarese, outside the ancient Roman walls of the city. It was built in 1397 over the ruins of the Santi Arcangeli church, which had been renamed San Michele by the Lombards, who proclaimed Michael the Archangel "patron of Italy" after their victory over the Byzantine Empire[1] The earlier church had been damaged in 1390 by a fire triggered by clashes between the Carraresi and Visconti during Francesco Novello da Carrara's siege of the city. After the city's fall, the Bovi family decided to build a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, opening a gap in the north side of the old church's nave.” (San Michele Oratory, Wikipedia)

Casa de los Deanes

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Casa de los Deanes (Museo de Ávila)
Plaza Nalvillos
Ávila, September 2025

“The Ávila Museum, located in the Casa de los Deanes, is a cultural space in the city of Ávila, Spain. Its origins as a centuries-old museum date back to 1911. Since 1987, it has been managed by the Regional Government of Castilla y León. Its collection includes works of archaeology and fine arts, as well as an extensive ethnological catalogue of the area. It is owned by the State through the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. The first institution that preceded the Museum of Ávila was created as an ‘Honorary Museum’ by the Monuments Commission of the province of Ávila and inaugurated in 1911 in the building of the ‘Teresianos Library and Museum’, as the repository of the province's Historical and Artistic Heritage. It later passed through other locations in the Alcázar, the Arch of San Vicente, the cloister of the Cathedral, and the Chapel of Las Nieves (with periods of storage in various municipal warehouses). Finally, in 1968, it was institutionalized as a Provincial Museum, ‘with its own exhibits, building, budget, and staff, linked to the Ministry of Education, and later to Culture.’ It reopened in 1971. In 1986, it was remodeled as the Ávila Museum, and a year later, it was managed by the Regional Government of Castile and León. Since 1969 the museum has been located in the Casa de los Deanes, extending its collection in 1998 to the Almacén Visitable de Santo Tomé, in the historic space of the Plaza de Nalvillos in the capital of Avila. The Casa de los Deanes building was declared a Site of Cultural Interest, with the category of monument, on October 1, 1962.” (Museo de Ávila, Wikipedia)

Palazzo degli Affari

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Palazzo degli Affari by Pierluigi Spadolini, 1974
Piazza Adua
Florence, January 2025

“The Palazzo degli Affari is located in Piazza Adua in Florence, next to the Santa Maria Novella station. The Palazzo degli Affari was designed by architect Pierluigi Spadolini and is used for conferences. Inaugurated in 1974, it is a modern 4,000 m² structure with a total capacity of 1,800 people. It hosts conferences and exhibitions, poster sessions, press rooms, high fashion shows, as well as business lunches and gala dinners. From the attic of the building you can admire the panorama of Florence and the large centuries-old park that connects the structure of the Congress Palace.” (Palazzo degli Affari, Wikipedia)

Gianni Versace Retrospective

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Gianni Versace Retrospective
Centro Cultural Fundación Unicaja
Plaza del Obispo
Málaga, March 2025

“Gianni Versace's flamboyant style is now on display in Málaga! The Centro Cultural Fundación Unicaja is home to the impressive Gianni Versace Retrospective exhibition, which brings together 120 looks and some 400 original pieces. From designs for superstars like Elton John, Prince and Kate Moss to the revolutionary metallic mesh dresses and baroque prints that defined 90s fashion. The exhibition takes you into Versace's world: a journey through opulent baroque, minimalism, punk and the supermodel revolution. You will discover how his extravagant style introduced a new kind of luxury, worn by the nouveau riche and icons like Lady Di. The influence of his Italian roots is evident, from classical Greek influences to the iconic Marilyn Monroe dress inspired by Warhol.” (Versace in Málaga, Second Home Andalusia)

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

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Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
Viale dei Colli
Verona, May 2025

“Situated atop Belvedere Hill in Verona, there stands a truly enchanting sanctuary that commands a breathtaking view of the city. This sanctuary, known as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, is a place of devotion for pilgrims and a serene meeting spot for those seeking solace amidst its tranquil surroundings. Originally constructed in 1908, the Sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna of Lourdes fell victim to the ravages of the Second World War bombings. Remarkably, the only surviving relic was the statue of the Immaculate, a splendid piece of art crafted by the sculptor Ugo Zannoni. This marble statue, perched high above, earned universal acclaim as one of the most cherished masterpieces of Veronese art, owing to its exquisite beauty and profound religious significance. Following the demolition of the central caponiera, a truncated conical dome was added to crown the Sanctuary. Within the church's interior, a spacious window provides a clear view of the Immaculate statue. In June 1964, the newly inaugurated temple underwent a complete transformation, giving it a modern and eclectic architectural style that now graces the cityscape, commanding attention from the hilltop. Distinctive in its round form, the Sanctuary of Lourdes in Verona harmonizes gracefully with the surrounding fortifications, a unique sight in the world. The Sanctuary of Lourdes in Verona houses a multitude of invaluable art treasures. Among them are the fifteen bas-reliefs depicting the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, skillfully crafted by sculptor Vittorio Conte di Colbertaldo. The interior of the Sanctuary is adorned with precious canvases created by Professor Aronne Del Vecchio. Additionally, the crypt shelters a fifteenth-century fresco of the Madonna with Child, attributed to the school of Altichiero da Zevio, further enhancing the sanctity and cultural significance of this remarkable place.” (Santuario della Madonna di Lourdes, GPSmyCity)

Museo Geominero

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Museo Geominero
Calle de Ríos Rosas, Chamberí
Madrid, September 2025

“The Museo Geominero (Geomineral Museum) is a geology museum displaying minerals and fossils from Spain and its former colonies. It is located inside the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España building in Madrid, Spain. The museum has its roots in the collection of the 'Comisión para formar la Carta geológica de Madrid y la general del Reino' (Commission to form the geographical letter of Madrid and the kingdom), which was created by Isabella II in 1849. The collection has been housed in its current location since 1927, and was conceived of by Spanish mining engineer D. Primitivo Hernández Sampelayo. It has been known as the Museo geominero since 1989. The museum is located in the headquarters of the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain. The building was designed by Spanish architect Francisco Javier de Luque, and built between 1921 and 1925. The contents of the museum are displayed in 250 showcases on the ground floor of the building and three perimeter balconies.” (Museo Geominero, Wikipedia)

Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi

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Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi by Ettore Ferrari, 1887
Piazza Castello
Vicenza, May 2025

“The monument to Garibaldi is a sculpture located in Piazza del Castello in Vicenza and is the work of the sculptor Ettore Ferrari. It was inaugurated on 21 August 1887 (27th anniversary of Garibaldi's entry into Reggio Calabria). The monument's inauguration took place in pouring rain. The day's program included: the inauguration of the monument at 10:00 a.m., a musical concert at the Teatro Olimpico at 1:00 p.m., a social banquet at 4:00 p.m., a torchlight procession in the evening (which was cancelled due to bad weather), and a gala performance of the opera-ballet ‘L'Africana’ at 9:00 p.m. at the Teatro Comunale. Sculptor Ettore Ferrari himself was present that day, praising Vicenza for its patriotism, similar to that of his native Rome. Among those present were Garibaldi's followers from Vicenza and the surrounding province.” (Monumento a Garibaldi, Wikipedia)

Santa María del Parral

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Monasterio de Santa María del Parral
Calle del Parral
Segovia, September 2025

“Monastery of Saint Mary of Parral (Spanish: Monasterio de Santa María del Parral) is a Roman Catholic monastery of the enclosed monks of the Order of Saint Jerome just outside the walls of Segovia, Spain. The monastery was founded by King Henry IV of Castile, who acquired the lands before he became king in 1454. Despite a generally irreligious life, Henry IV maintained connections with the Hieronymites and was buried in the sister-house of Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe. In the 16th century a mint was built near the monastery using the Eresma River to power the machinery. The monastery was closed as part of the secularisation program of 1835 (the Ecclesiastical confiscations of Mendizábal). Following a Papal Decree of 1925, the Hieronymite Order was re-established here in the following years and was finally granted its Rule in 1969.” (Monastery of Santa María del Parral, Wikipedia)

Colombi

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‘Colombi’ (Doves) by Nerino Negri, 1972
Piazzetta Garzeria
Padua, May 2025

“The sculpture titled ‘Colombi’ is one of the most iconic works by Paduan sculptor Nerino Negri (1924–2012), created in 1972 and integrated into the fountain designed by architect Francesco Mansutti. It is located in Piazzetta Garzeria, a small pedestrian area in the heart of Padua's historic center, near Piazza dei Signori and the Duomo. Originally, the sculpture included multiple elements, including doves in flight and in pose, arranged around the fountain's basin. However, due to repeated vandalism and attempted theft over the years, two of the doves in flight were removed and transferred to the Civic Museum of Padua for preservation. The remaining ones are securely anchored, blending perfectly with their surroundings.” (Colombi, Grok)

Iglesia de San Marcos

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Iglesia de San Marcos
Plaza San Marcos
Salamanca, September 2025

“Founded in the early 12th century, this Church of San Marcos is located on the outskirts of the historic center of Salamanca, located in ‘Puerta Zamora’. It stands out for its circular plan and architectural features, Romanesque style. The church has witnessed the history of Salamanca since its repopulation until today, with great importance of the Real Clerecía. Currently, it continues to serve as a parish and is a place of interest in the city of Salamanca. The church of San Marcos has its origins in the repopulation and organization of the city of Salamanca in the late 11th and early 12th centuries. The city was beginning to be a main axis of Extremadura (a term used in the Reconquista to name those territories located at the extreme ends, that is, on the borders of León) and therefore began to be a focus of people of diverse origins, heterogeneous groups. The typically medieval city, in its northwestern part, next to the ‘Puerta Zamora’, with a low population density, a parish community is grouped, characterized by Castilians. These associations of clergymen joined together to protect their interests and rights. Thus was formed the Clergy of Salamanca, which played an important role both in the reconstruction of the city after the Muslim eviction and in the population increase.” (Iglesia de San Marcos, Wikipedia)

Blue triceratops

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Blue triceratops
LuisaViaRoma Kids
Viale Don Minzoni
Florence, December 2024

“For LuisaViaRoma, 2024 is proving to be a crucial year in its retail expansion plan. The company opened its New York store on Via Bond in July. With LuisaViaRoma Kids, the number of stores now stands at three. The space, located at Viale Don Minzoni 31/a, extends over three levels with a total surface area of approximately 400 square meters: they are dedicated respectively to the Baby (0-2), Kids (4-10 years), and Teen (10-18 years) worlds. The store also features a play area where children can play while their parents shop. ‘This unique space is aimed at modern and ever-evolving families,’ explain LuisaViaRoma, underlining that the offering is thus extended to babies, children and adolescents with a wide selection of toys, baby care, design and furniture for all ages.” (LuisaViaRoma opens to the world of kids with a new store, InToscana)

Santo Tomé el Viejo

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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)

Caduti per la Libertà

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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)

Fuente de la Diosa Pomona

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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)

Bartolomeo Montagna

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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)

Canal de Isabel II

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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)

Tobiolo

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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)

Alcázar de Segovia

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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)

Church of San Giuseppe

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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)

Palacio de la Salina

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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)

Church of San Pietro Martire

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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)

Torreón de los Guzmanes

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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)

Gian Giorgio Trissino

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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)

Plaza de la Merced

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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)

Museo Antoniano

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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)

Puerta de Alcalá

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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)

Carlo Maggiorelli

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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)

Iglesia de la Vera Cruz

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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)

Frutto Oggetto Scultura

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‘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)

Torre del Clavero

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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)

Muscovy duck

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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)

Palacio de los Superunda

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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)

Alberto Cavalletto

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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)

Patatas Paco José

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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)

Castel San Pietro

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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)

Torres de Colón

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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)

Paolo Rossi

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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)

Daoiz and Velarde

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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)

Cathedral and Baptistery

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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)

Convento de las Dueñas

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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)

Taras Shevchenko

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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)