Casa de los Picos

---

Casa de los Picos
Calle Juan Bravo
Segovia, September 2025

“The Casa de los Picos is a building in the Spanish city of Segovia, home to the Segovia School of Art and Design. It is located on Calle Juan Bravo, in the historic center of Segovia. It was built in the last third of the 15th century as a fortified house by Don Pedro López de Ayala, in order to defend the Puerta de San Martín, demolished in 1883. The house was later acquired by Alonso González de la Hoz, Chief Accountant of the Kingdom, and passed by inheritance to his son Juan de la Hoz, Councilor of Segovia. It is known for its façade, with 617 granite peaks, and its Renaissance courtyard. The heraldry of the de la Hoz family can be seen on the lintels of the five balconies and on the entrance door. The entrance hall and courtyard are decorated with Talavera tiles depicting various Segovia buildings.” (Casa de los Picos, Wikipedia)

Holy Fire Stones

---

Reliquary of the Holy Fire Stones
Santi Apostoli
Piazza del Limbo
Florence, January 2025

“The church houses three flints (Pietre del Santo Sepolcro) putatively from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. These were putatively used to light the lamps of the tomb when Jesus was buried. Tradition holds that they were acquired in 1101 by Pazzino dei Pazzi, who was among the first Christians to scale the walls and lead to the capture of Jerusalem during the First Crusade. From then on, the Pazzi included a flaming cup in their coat of arms. The flints are linked to the ceremony of ‘Lo Scoppio del Carro’ and the lighting of fireworks from the ‘Portafuoco’ after a celebratory mass.” (Santi Apostoli, Wikipedia)

Colegio de Calatrava

---

Colegio de Calatrava
Calle Rosario
Salamanca, September 2025

“The Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción de Calatrava, commonly known as Colegio de Calatrava, is the only college founded in Salamanca by the military orders whose building still survives; it belonged to the Order of Calatrava. Instituted as an imperial college in 1552 by Charles V and incorporated into the University of Salamanca in 1554, the construction of this building did not begin until 1717, by Joaquín de Churriguera who directed the works until his death in 1724. In 1750 the works were resumed under the direction of Jerónimo García de Quiñones. He was forced to eliminate the baroque ornaments of the original project due to the neoclassicist ideas prevailing at that time, especially those that Francisco Ibáñez de Corbera, rector of the school when it was consecrated in 1790, wanted to impose. During the War of Independence, the Goya canvases in the altarpieces disappeared. The facade has two bodies and is articulated by pilasters of giant order and topped with a balustrade. The decorative elements that adorn it are mostly of Renaissance inspiration. We notice in the decoration baroque mixtilinear elements around the main doorway, in the doors of the side towers and in the moldings that surround all the windows of the facade. Today it is the seat of the Casa de la Iglesia, an institution that houses the offices of the Diocese of Salamanca.” (Colegio de Calatrava, Wikipedia)

Santi Siro e Libera

---

Santi Siro e Libera
Lungadige Rigaste Redentore
Verona, May 2025

“The church of Saints Siro and Libera is a Catholic place of worship located in the Veronetta district of Verona, within the archaeological site which includes the Roman theatre and the museum of the same name; it is part of the diocese of Verona. According to tradition, the first mass in the city of Verona was celebrated in an archway of the Roman theatre, and it was right above this archway that in 913 the church dedicated to San Siro was built by Giovanni, bishop of Cremona and chancellor of the emperor Berengario; the same bishop donated the building to the nearby Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria in Organo in 922. Towards the beginning of the 14th century the dedication to "Santa Libera" was added, in reference to Liberata of Como, however the reasons which led to this double title are unknown. In the same century the building was transformed in Gothic style, but from this construction phase only the entrance portal and the hanging porch which protects it remain, together with the frescoes which adorn it.” (Chiesa dei Santi Siro e Libera, Wikipedia)

Los Cuatro Postes

---

Los Cuatro Postes
Calle Cuatro Postes
Ávila, September 2025

“On the left bank of the Adaja River, overlooking the city from the west, stands the San Sebastián shrine (a small chapel on the outskirts of town), popularly known as Los Cuatro Postes (The Four Posts). The complex consists of four monolithic Doric columns joined by an architrave bearing the city's coat of arms, with a granite cross in the center. It was built in 1566, and some authors maintain that it was erected where a small temple would have stood in Roman times. Others claim it was built to commemorate the place where Francisco de Cepeda, Teresa de Jesús's uncle, found the saint and her brother Rodrigo when they fled to suffer martyrdom in Moorish lands. The place offers a unique vantage point over the walled city, especially at dusk, when day gives way to night and the wall is artificially illuminated.” (Los Cuatro Postes, ÁvilaTurismo)

Main chapel

---

Main chapel
Santa Corona
Contrà Santa Corona
Vicenza, May 2025

“The altar, from 1667–69, is the work of inlayers in precious stones, the Florentine Corbarelli, who also built the small temple above the altar in 1670–71. The grandiose complex stands isolated on three steps, adorned with inlays and geometric and floral motifs. The small temple rises from a base decorated with cherubim and consists of two orders of red marble Corinthian columns. The dome is topped by an image of the Redeemer. On the lower tabernacle door is painted the Resurrection; on the rear tabernacle door, the Christ dead with the Sorrowful Virgin, Saint John the Evangelist, and the Eternal Father to whom an angel offers the chalice. Flanking the doors are cornucopias. The apse’s stained glass windows, from Munich, date to the late 19th century. Every surface of the altar is adorned with polychrome inlays of precious marbles, lapis lazuli, corals, carnelians, and mother-of-pearl. The frames feature small animals, flowers, cherubs, objects related to the Passion, as well as houses, cottages, churches, and small landscapes.” (Santa Corona, Wikipedia)

Los Molinillos by Ángel Cañizares

---

Los Molinillos by Ángel Cañizares
Avenida Antonio Machado
Benalmádena, March 2025

“This roundabout is located at the junction of Avenida Antonio Machado and Avenida Federico García Lorca. A crossroads of poets in front of Santa Ana beach, a few metres from the Roman site of Los Molinillos, it is decorated by a series of masts similar to those of a sailing ship with coloured windmills that move in the wind. Clearly playful in tone, this sculptural ensemble was designed by Ángel Cañizares, architect and film set designer of unforgettable films by Samuel Bronston, such as ‘55 Days at Peking’ ‘Papillon’, ‘Doctor Zhivago’, among others.” (Rotonda de los Molinillos, Benalmádena Turismo)

Ponte di Ferro

---

Ponte di Ferro
Via Patriarcato
Padua, May 2025

“You'll see an iron bridge in front of you, where a wooden bridge had previously stood since the 13th century. It was rebuilt in the 16th century, and in 1828, Italy's first suspension bridge with wire ropes was inaugurated. Unfortunately, this bridge was little used and left to decay, although the current bridge, a pedestrian walkway, still has its charm. With its street lamps at the entrances and its Art Nouveau arch, this wrought iron bridge, built in 1881, reminds me a bit of a famous bridge in Dublin, a splendid wrought iron bridge, the Ha'Penny Bridge.” (Una passeggiata nella ‘vecchia Padova’ lungo i canali e sotto ai ‘porteghi’, Blog di Padova)

Templo Nacional de Santa Teresa de Jesús

---

Templo Nacional de Santa Teresa de Jesús
Plaza de España, Moncloa - Aravaca
Madrid, September 2025

“The National Temple of Saint Teresa of Jesus is a Catholic temple located in the Plaza de España in Madrid and belonging to the Carmelite order. With the name National Temple of Saint Teresa of Jesus and Convent of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers it was declared an asset of cultural interest on December 20, 1995. From 1965 to 2015 it was the headquarters of the Parish of Saint Teresa and Saint Joseph, for which the temple is also known by that name.” (Templo Nacional de Santa Teresa de Jesús y Convento de los Padres Carmelitas Descalzos, Wikipedia)

Palazzina Indiano

---

Palazzina Indiano
Piazzale dell'Indiano
Parco delle Cascine (Cascine Park)
Florence, January 2025

“The Palazzina Indiano (sometimes also called the Palazzina dell'Indiano or Palazzina ex Indiano) is a historic stone building located downstream, in the western area of the Cascine park in Florence. It was built in 1872 as a public café near the confluence of the Arno and the Mugnone rivers and close to the pedestrian bridge that crosses the latter. It takes its name from the fact that the ashes of the Indian prince Rajaram Chuttraputti were scattered here in 1870, in whose honour a funerary monument was also built.” (Palazzina Indiano, Wikipedia)

Santos Justo y Pastor

---

Iglesia de los Santos Justo y Pastor
Plaza de San Justo
Segovia, September 2025

“The church of Saints Justo and Pastor is a Catholic church located in Segovia, Spain, near the Plaza del Azoguejo, on the other side of the aqueduct. It is a Romanesque church built in the 12th century on the remains of a hermitage that was originally dedicated to the Christ of the Gascons. Its Romanesque paintings are significant. The temple, located in the Plaza de San Justo, is built of masonry. It displays typical Romanesque architectural elements. It has one of the most outstanding towers in Segovia, in which there are openings with columns and two doorways, one of them closed to the outside and only visible from the inside, and the other polychrome and belonging to the late Romanesque.” (Iglesia de los Santos Justo y Pastor, Wikipedia)

Palazzetto Fontana al Teatro Romano

---

Palazzetto Fontana al Teatro Romano
Lungadige Rigaste Redentore
Verona, May 2025

“The entrance to the archaeological area and the museum is through Palazzo Fontana, a Renaissance building which has incorporated significant remains of the stage building of the ancient Roman theatre of Verona, which are still easily observable and distinguishable today. The building, so called after the name of the family who lived there in the eighteenth century and who conducted the archaeological excavations of the theatre, has on the ground floor the ticket office and an introductory room to the archaeological site, while on the upper floors there are some classrooms for laboratory activities, intended in particular for the use of school groups.” (Museo archeologico al teatro romano, Wikipedia)

Palacio de San Boal

---

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

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

Thiene Chapel

---

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

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

Ermita de San Esteban

---

Ermita de San Esteban
Travesía San Esteban
Ávila, September 2025

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

Palazzo Pisani de Lazara

---

Palazzo Pisani de Lazara
Riviera San Benedetto
Padua, May 2025

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

Playa de Malapesquera

---

Playa de Malapesquera
Avenida Juan Sebastián Elcano
Benalmádena, March 2025

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

Pescaia delle Cascine

---

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

El Vecino Curioso

---

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

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

Basilica di Santa Anastasia

---

Basilica di Santa Anastasia
Piazza Santa Anastasia
Verona, May 2025

“The church of San Pietro da Verona in Santa Anastasia, better known as the basilica of Santa Anastasia, is an important Catholic place of worship that stands in the heart of the historic center of Verona; it is located at the end of the decumanus maximus of the city in Roman times, near the point where the wide meander of the Adige river is crossed by the Ponte Pietra, where the two main traffic routes of the city, road and river, gravitate. It is the largest, most solemn and representative church in Verona, a reflection of a lively moment in the city's life, when the expansion and consolidation of political and economic institutions allowed the community, in synergy with the Scaliger rule, the Dominican clergy and the Castelbarco family, to make a considerable financial effort to build this important temple, a symbol of their power. The church represented the most important Gothic period for Verona. In the years immediately following its construction, it became a point of reference on which the designs of several other religious buildings were based, especially thanks to some innovations that St. Anastasia introduced into the plan, with the development of a wide transept and the articulation of the apsidal area into four chapels on either side of the presbytery, where the high altar is located, to the wall structure entirely in brick and to the new type of bell tower. The façade is unfinished, except for a majestic Gothic mullioned doorway that leads to a large interior divided into three naves by monumental cylindrical columns. On either side of the two naves are a series of chapels and numerous altars, the most famous of which is the Fregoso altar by Danese Cattaneo, praised by Giorgio Vasari. In addition, it is possible to admire paintings and frescoes by famous masters of Veronese painting and beyond, such as Pisanello, Altichiero, Liberale da Verona, Stefano da Zevio, Nicolò Giolfino, Giovan Francesco Caroto, Felice Brusasorzi, Francesco Morone, Michele da Verona and Lorenzo Veneziano.” (Sant'Anastasia, Wikipedia)

Torre de Arias Dávila

---

Torre de Arias Dávila
Plaza los Huertos
Segovia, September 2025

“On the corner of Calle Colón and Plaza de los Huertos. It is in perfect condition. Tower of an old palace. Belonging to the powerful Diego Arias Dávila, father of Bishop Juan. This family, years later, became Counts of Puñoenrostro. Its construction style is very characteristic: mixed walls alternating between sections of masonry partially bonded with lime, brick courses, and adobe covered with smooth plaster or decorated with light sgraffito. Of particular note is a magnificent crenellated continuous balcony with various loopholes and coats of arms. The geometric sgraffito of its exterior decoration shows the multitude of designs that this typically Segovian plaster can display. In addition to the impressive main tower, there was a smaller one on the west facade, built with brick and adobe, now truncated and blended into the modern facade. Its image survives in an 1850 painting by Valentín Carderera.” (Torre de Arias Dávila, Fortificaciones de España)

Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary

---

Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary
Santa Corona
Contrà Santa Corona
Vicenza, May 2025

“As a thanksgiving for the victory at the Battle of Lepanto, to which Vicenza contributed two ships, the Confraternity of the Rosary erected this large chapel—the fourth on the right—completed in 1619, on the site previously occupied by two smaller 15th-century chapels of the Nievo and Monza families. To add height and integrate the chapel with the church, the right nave’s vault was demolished and replaced with a higher ceiling with a grand scenic effect; the imposing entrance arch to the nave is echoed inside. Ten years later, a majestic altar of light and gray marble was erected, featuring polychrome statues of Saint Thomas and Saint Catherine of Siena—the patrons of the two previous chapels—flanking the Virgin of the Rosario, from whose starry crown rays of light emanate throughout the niche. In the intrados of the niche, fifteen painted octagons depict the Mysteries of the Rosary. Above the archivolt, three cherubs symbolize the Virginity of Merciful Mary (with the attribute of a cedar), Divine Grace (with a cornucopia), and Prudence (with a mirror and serpent). The two statues on the entablature are allegories of Meekness (holding a lamb) and Temperance (flanked by a camel). Above the attic, three putti symbolize Purity (with a dove), the Holy Spirit (a dove resting with spread wings on its head), and Providence (with a rudder).” (Santa Corona, Wikipedia)

Convento de la Anunciación

---

Convento de la Anunciación (Las Úrsulas)
Calle de las Úrsulas
Salamanca, September 2025

“The Convent of the Annunciation, better known as Las Úrsulas, is a Franciscan convent located in the city of Salamanca, on the Paseo de las Úrsulas. Located in the lower choir of the church is a small but interesting museum. The convent of Santa Úrsula was founded by Sancha Maldonado between 1460 and 1470, the erection of the monastery being confirmed by papal bull granted by Sixtus IV in 1480. The convent was intended for the Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis. The original building is not the one that has survived to this day, although it is known to have been small. Through the aforementioned papal bull, its name was changed from Saint Ursula to the Annunciation of Saint Mary. The need to expand the building soon arose, with the patronage of Alonso II de Fonseca , Archbishop of Santiago and later Patriarch of Alexandria, and nephew of the founder, who intended to establish his funeral chapel in the convent.” (Convento de la Anunciación, Wikipedia)

Ponte Sant'Agostino

---

Ponte Sant'Agostino
Via San Tommaso
Padua, May 2025

“Ponte Sant'Agostino is one of the bridges that populate the city of Padua. This natural bridge, a continuation of Via San Tommaso, takes its name from the Church of Sant'Agostino, demolished in 1818. The ancient church had three naves. From the bridge you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Venetian city and admire one of its symbols: the Torre della Specola.” (Ponte Sant' Agostino, Italia Virtual Tour)

Iglesia-convento de Santa Teresa

---

Iglesia-convento de Santa Teresa
Statue of Santa Teresa by Óscar Alvariño, 2016
Plaza de la Santa
Ávila, September 2025

“The Iglesia-convento de Santa Teresa is a church and convent located in Ávila, Spain. It was built by the Order of Discalced Carmelites, as outlined by friar Alonso de San José, in the Carmelite style in the first third of the 17th century, supposedly on the site where Saint Teresa of Ávila was born. The central rectangle is divided in four bodies with a triangular pediment with a circle in the middle. The lowest part contains a statue of Saint Teresa. The part below the pediment shows a large coat-of-arms. The entrance consists of three rounded arches, the middle one flanked by pilasters. The interior of the church was built in the style of the Valladolid classicism. It consists of a nave and two lateral aisles, with a transept and a cupola above the crossing. The Chapel of Birth, alongside the presbytery, coincides with place where Teresa was born.” (Iglesia-convento de Santa Teresa, Wikipedia)

San Tomaso Cantuariense

---

Church of San Tomaso Cantuariense
Stradone San Tomaso
Verona, May 2025

“The Church of San Tomaso Becket, better known as the Church of San Tomaso Cantuariense, is a Catholic place of worship located near the historic center of Verona, just across the Ponte Nuovo del Popolo. It is dedicated to the English saint Thomas Becket, who was murdered in 1170 because of his aversion to Henry II of England. During the Late Middle Ages there were two churches in the area: one, older, dedicated to Thomas Becket, the second dedicated to the Virgin Annunciate and next to which stood a Benedictine monastery. In the early 15th century, the Carmelites decided to proceed with the expansion of the second one, thus laying the foundation for the present building, which would take its name from the one of St. Thomas, which was torn down. According to an inscription on the facade, construction began around 1449, continuing, not without financial difficulties, until 1504, the year of its consecration. With the arrival of Napoleon the church was used as an infirmary for French troops, and in 1805 the convent was finally suppressed. Under subsequent Austrian rule the cloister was partially demolished and many of the former convent premises used as a military prison. It was necessary to wait for the annexation of Veneto to Italy before the church could be reopened for worship. The present building looks like a combination of traditional Veronese Romanesque and late Gothic. The exterior features an austere facade with a circular rose window and a wide portal, the latter, it is assumed, coming from another building. The interior has a single nave and the pavement consists of red and white squares with the exception of the chancel, while the ceiling is covered with wooden trusses. On the interior side walls of the nave are two burial monuments sculpted by Ugo Zannoni and eight altars set in Renaissance arches. Numerous works of art are preserved that were created by famous painters from Verona, including Paolo Farinati, Girolamo dai Libri, Alessandro Turchi, and Antonio Balestra.” (San Tomaso Becket, Wikipedia)

Torre Pimentel

---

Torre Pimentel
Cuesta del Tajo
Torremolinos, March 2025

“The origin of the town’s name is found in the Torre de los Molinos (Tower of the Mills), later called Torre Pimentel after a soldier who helped Ferdinand and Isabella conquer Malaga at the end of the 15th century. The tower stands between calle San Miguel and Cuesta del Tajo, on the way to Bajondillo beach. The Torre Pimentel was built more than 700 years ago, around the year 1300, and its location in the higher part of an escarpment is no coincidence. It was designed as part of an extensive network of defensive towers erected by the Nasrids along the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. It was of vital importance to the Kingdom of Granada, which controlled the province of Malaga from the 13th to the 15th century. The Torre Pimentel is made of rammed earth. It is 12 metres high and has a solid base, two floors, windows and a large terrace from which Nasrid wardens watched for possible intrusions from the sea. You only have to close your eyes to imagine the guards looking out across the Mediterranean day and night.” (Torre Pimentel, Visit Torremolinos)

L'adorazione dei Magi

---

‘L'adorazione dei Magi’ by Paolo Veronese
Chapel of St. Joseph, Santa Corona
Contrà Santa Corona
Vicenza, May 2025

“The chapel—the third on the right—was built in the last decade of the 18th century, after demolishing the wall where the urn containing the remains of the blessed Bartholomew of Breganze was embedded, now in the Holy Thorn Chapel. During the mid-19th century restorations, an altar with fluted columns and a triangular pediment, erected around 1570 by artists from the Pedemuro San Biagio workshop, was placed there, along with the Adoration of the Magi from the mature period of Paolo Veronese, a painting of exceptional quality and great evocative power that significantly influenced the Vicentine artistic environment, particularly the development of Francesco Maffei. The composition, with a vertical orientation, features a caravan in the lower register moving from the left, guiding the viewer’s gaze toward the Holy Family on the right, with the Madonna standing out for her beauty against a towering column. In the upper section, a metaphysical burst of light, a tangible sign of the Epiphany, contrasts with a dark sky streaked with blue. The light, as a protagonist, skillfully highlights the architectural structures and the rich garments of the figures.” (Santa Corona, Wikipedia)

Monument to Eloy Gonzalo

---

Monument to Eloy Gonzalo by Aniceto Marinas, 1902
Plaza de Cascorro
Madrid, September 2025

“The Monument to Eloy Gonzalo is an instance of public art in Madrid, Spain. It is a monument dedicated to Eloy Gonzalo, the so-called Hero of Cascorro. Erected on the plaza de Cascorro, it consists of a bronze statue of the aforementioned Cuban War hero authored by Aniceto Marinas, put on a stone plinth. It is a monument dedicated to Eloy Gonzalo [es] a Spanish soldier in the Cuban War independence who, in September 1896 — during a siege by a party of about 2,500 Cuban mambises equipped with 70 mm battalion guns on a small regiment of Spanish soldiers garrisoned in the small village of Cascorro — reportedly volunteered to his superiors in a nearly suicidal mission to infiltrate the enemy lines and fire the hut used as a warehouse for the weaponry of the enemy. Reportedly equipped with a 10-liter gasoline can, a Mauser rifle, a torch and a rope (to tie himself allowing for the retrieval of his corpse in case he fell in action, as he was certain of) he succeeded against all odds, helping to demoralize the enemy until the lift of the siege by General Adolfo Jiménez Castellanos, only to die of dysentery in Matanzas in June 1897.” (Monument to Eloy Gonzalo, Wikipedia)

Borgo della Paglia

---

Borgo della Paglia
Via della Paglia
Padua, May 2025

“Borgo della Paglia is a charming, narrow alleyway tucked away in the historic heart of Padua (Padova), Italy, evoking the city's Renaissance past. It's not a grand monument but a quiet slice of urban history, lined with ancient porticos, modest stone buildings, and glimpses of the Bacchiglione River. This spot is best known as the birthplace of one of Italy's most influential architects, Andrea Palladio (born Andrea di Pietro della Gondola in 1508), who lived here during his early childhood until around 1516, when his family relocated to Vicenza. A commemorative plaque marks his family's former home in nearby Via dei Rogati, part of the same neighborhood. The alley's moniker, meaning ‘Straw District’, stems from its practical origins: in medieval times, boats along the river unloaded bales of straw here to feed horses in the nearby stables of the Castello Carrarese (a 14th-century fortress). Over time, ‘paglia’ (straw) also took on a slang connotation of mockery or derision, perhaps alluding to the area's humble, working-class vibe—home to boatmen, millers, and artisans like Palladio's father, a miller.” (Borgo della Paglia, Grok)

Iglesia del Salvador

---

Iglesia del Salvador
Plaza del Salvador
Segovia, September 2025

“The Church of the Savior is a Catholic temple in the Spanish city of Segovia. It is located in the city of Segovia, in the Plaza del Salvador , and is situated in the suburb of the same name. Of the original Romanesque temple, only the portico , which forms an angle with the church, and part of the tower, with closed twin windows, remain. The interior of the church has a single nave, with a Gothic ribbed vault, a transept and a main chapel, with a gilded Plateresque altarpiece, paid for by Diego Tamayo in 1587, which has a painting of the Adoration of the Kings in the center and others on the sides.” (Iglesia del Salvador, Wikipedia)

Monument to George Washington

---

Monument to George Washington, 1932
Piazzale Kennedy
Parco delle Cascine (Cascine Park)
Florence, January 2025

“The monument was built in 1932 at the behest of the Americans residing in Florence, on the occasion of the second centenary of the birth of the first President of the United States of America. The work is located in piazzale Kennedy, in the central area of the Cascine Park, the largest green area in the city. The restoration was funded by: Florence Lions Club; Lions Club Florence Impruneta San Casciano; Lions Club Florence Cosimo de ' Medici; Giotto Florence Lions Club; Barberino Montelibertas Lions Club; Lions Club Le Signe. George Washington was an American politician and military. He was commander of the army in the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and became the first President of the United States of America. It is considered one of the great founding fathers of the American nation. Between the 19th and 20th centuries Florence became one of the favorite places for American artists and writers.” (Monument to George Washington, Art@Site)

Iglesia de San Martín de Tours

---

Iglesia de San Martín de Tours
Plaza del Corrillo
Salamanca, September 2025

“The church of San Martín is a Spanish Romanesque church located in the Plaza del Corrillo and next to the southern wing of the Plaza Mayor in Salamanca. The church was built on a hermitage dedicated to Saint Peter in the 12th century, specifically in 1103 at the initiative of Count Martín Fernández, in the Toresanos neighborhood, during the repopulation of the city led by Raimundo de Borgoña by order of King Alfonso VI of León. At that time, in 1173, it was called the church of San Martín del Mercado or San Martín de la Plaza. The church, which currently appears wedged between modern buildings, has undergone numerous restorations throughout its history. Its medieval elements are largely masked by the successive reforms carried out in the temple and the modern buildings in the surroundings.” (Iglesia de San Martín de Tours, Wikipedia)

San Fermo Maggiore

---

San Fermo Maggiore
Via Dogana
Verona, May 2025

“San Fermo Maggiore is a Romanesque and Gothic church in central Verona. It is dedicated to Saints Firmus and Rusticus, brothers who are local martyrs from the 3rd century. The exterior has a roofline with pinnacles, and the church once held the tomb of a member of the Scaligers. The interior has many medieval frescos, as well as later decoration, including the Brenzoni Monument (discussed below), an altarpiece of St Francis of Assisi by Giovanni Battista Belloti, whilst Veronese's Bevilacqua-Lazise Altarpiece was originally painted for a funerary chapel in the church. A crucifixion on the counter-façade is one of Turone's most significant works. A church at this site may has been traced to the 8th century, and by the 11th century a second story and belltower was added by the Benedictine order. There is a ‘lower church’ (chiesa inferiore) below the main church. The campanile was not completed until the 13th century, it contains six bells in F cast in 1755 and rung with the Veronese bellringing art. The presbytery hosts relics of the saints Fermo and Rustico.” (San Fermo Maggiore, Wikipedia)

Iglesia de San Pedro

---

Iglesia de San Pedro
Plaza de Santa Teresa
Ávila, September 2025

“The Church of San Pedro is a Romanesque temple located in the Spanish city of Ávila. The church is located opposite the gate of the Alcázar in the walls of Ávila, next to the Benedictine monastery of Nuestra Señora de la Antigua. The first reference to it is found in a document from 1103, appearing in the ‘Chronicle of the Population of Ávila’ (1173). The building has a Latin cross plan, with three naves ending in three apses, the central nave being higher than the side ones. The three entrance doors are Romanesque; the one on the western side or at the foot features a large rose window above the façade. The complex is surrounded by a landscaped and paved area. It overlooks the Plaza de Santa Teresa, also known as the ‘Plaza del Mercado Grande’. Inside, it features, among other works of art, carvings of Saint Catherine and Saint Paul.” (Iglesia de San Pedro, Wikipedia)

Cinema Odeon

---

Cinema Odeon
Corso Palladio
Vicenza, May 2025

“The Odeon cinema is a historic cinema in Vicenza, still in operation. It began its activity on 18 May 1907 as the ‘San Faustino cinema’, taking its name from the deconsecrated church of Saints Faustino and Giovita inside which it is located. The architectural structure and decorations of the church are substantially intact. The church had been redesigned in Baroque style in the eighteenth century. The Odeon cinema in Vicenza has been cited as the longest-running cinema in Italy for continuous programming activity, having never stopped screening films since 1907 (not even during the two world wars), except during the summer closure periods and during renovation works over the years.” (Cinema Odeon, Wikipedia)

Casa Colón Casa Cultural

---

Casa Colón Casa Cultural
Plaza San Miguel
Torremolinos, March 2025

1508-2008 Padova per Andrea Palladio

---

1508-2008 Padova per Andrea Palladio by Elio Armano, 2008
Riviera Tiso da Camposampiero
Padua, May 2025

“To mark the five hundredth anniversary of Andrea Palladio's birth, the Morseletto Workshop created a sculpture by Elio Armano in Vicenza stone, a ‘Palladian fragment’ inspired by the motif on the façade of Villa Pojana. The work was placed in Padua's Borgo della Paglia, where Palladio was born and spent his youth before becoming the most celebrated architect of the Renaissance.” (2008 Padua for Andrea Palladio, Laboratorio Morseletto)

Tío Pepe

---

Close-up of the “Tío Pepe” sign
Puerta del Sol
Madrid, September 2025

“Tío Pepe (Uncle Pepe, named after one of the founders' uncles) is a brand of Sherry. It is best known for its fino style of dry sherry made from the palomino grape. The Tío Pepe brand is owned by the González Byass Sherry house. Tío Pepe has based its success on promoting itself as a very dry white wine to be served with food, in doing so aiming to differentiate itself from poor quality sherries and their downmarket reputation. The Tío Pepe soleras were established in 1844 and have run uninterrupted since that time.” (Tío Pepe, Wikipedia)

Cappella Pazzi

---

Cappella Pazzi (Pazzi Chapel)
Largo Piero Bargellini
Florence, January 2025

“The Pazzi Chapel (Italian: Cappella dei Pazzi) is a chapel located in the ‘first cloister’ on the southern flank of the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy. Commonly credited to Filippo Brunelleschi, it is considered to be one of the masterpieces of Renaissance architecture. Though funds for the chapel were assembled in 1429 by Andrea Pazzi, head of the Pazzi family, whose wealth was second only to the Medici, construction did not begin until about 1442. The chapel was completed in 1478. The building is considered to be an Early Renaissance masterpiece. Formerly considered a work of Filippo Brunelleschi (d. 1446), it is now thought that he was responsible for the plan, which is based on simple geometrical forms, the square and the circle, but not for the building's execution and detailing. The most common argument for crediting Brunelleschi is the chapel's clear similarity to the Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo; others argue that his style had developed in the twenty-year interim and that the Pazzi Chapel would represent a retrograde step. The first written mention of Brunelleschi as the architect was written by an anonymous author in the 1490s. Scholars now consider the chapel as possibly the work of Giuliano da Maiano or Michelozzo. A façade thought to have been begun by Brunelleschi, of which only the lower register can be seen, was partially obscured by the addition of a porch. The main inspiration for this piece was the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria Novella, also located in Florence.” (Pazzi Chapel, Wikipedia)

Academia de Artillería

---

Academia de Artillería
Calle de San Francisco
Segovia, September 2025

“The Segovia Artillery Academy is a military academic institution in Spain founded on 16 May 1764 as the Royal Artillery College in the Alcázar of Segovia, during the reign of King Charles III at the initiative of Félix Gazzola, its first director. It is the oldest active military academy in the world. The commemorative event for the 250th anniversary of the Academy, held on 16 May 2014, was presided over by King Juan Carlos I, being the last military event he attended before announcing his abdication. The current headquarters of the Artillery Academy is what was once the Convent of San Francisco . Many of the new facilities, such as classrooms and residences, are located on the Camino de las Baterías, where the Advanced Technical degrees are taught to EMIES students.” (Academia de Artillería de Segovia, Wikipedia)

Palazzo della Gran Guardia

---

Palazzo della Gran Guardia
Piazza Bra
Verona, May 2025

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

Iglesia de San Millán

---

Iglesia de San Millán
Calle Veracruz
Salamanca, September 2025

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

Fedele Lampertico

---

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

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

Convento de San José

---

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

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

Madonna dell'acqua lurida

---

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

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

Pergola by Salvador Moreno Peralta

---

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

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

Oratory of Gesù Pellegrino

---

Oratory of Gesù Pellegrino
Via San Gallo
Florence, January 2025

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

La Casa Encendida

---

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

---

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)