Iglesia de San Pedro

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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

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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

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Casa Colón Casa Cultural
Plaza San Miguel
Torremolinos, March 2025

1508-2008 Padova per Andrea Palladio

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)