Las Ventas

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas by José Espeliú, 1931
Calle Alcalá, Salamanca
Madrid, September 2022

“The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, known simply as Las Ventas, is the largest bullfighting ring in Spain, located in the Guindalera quarter of the Salamanca district of Madrid. It was inaugurated on June 17, 1931. Its seating capacity of 23,798, makes it the third-largest bullfighting ring in the world, after bullrings in Mexico and Venezuela. After the federal ban of bulfighting in Plaza México, Las Ventas is the second largest bullring in the world still in operation for its original intention. This bullring was designed by the architect José Espeliú in the Neo-Mudéjar (Moorish) style with ceramic incrustations. The seats are situated in ten ‘tendidos’. The price of the seats depends upon how close they are to the arena and whether they are in the sun or the shade (the latter being more expensive). The bullfighting season starts in March and ends in October; bullfights are held every day during the San Isidro Fiesta, and every Sunday or holiday during the season. Bullfights start at 6 or 7pm and last for two to three hours.” (Las Ventas, Wikipedia)

Casa de Sefarad

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Casa de Sefarad
Calle Judios
Córdoba, September 2022

“The House of Sepharad - House of Memories, is a cultural centre situated right in the heart of the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba. There are permanent exhibitions and cultural activities aimed at arousing interest in this forgotten heritage and recovering memories of a tradition which is an essential part of our cultural identity: the Sepharad, or Hispano-Jewish tradition. The permanent exhibition, Memories of the Sepharad, is divided into nine thematic rooms, displaying: Sala de la Diáspora, Sala de la Sinagoga, Sala del Judeoespañol, Sala de Maimónides, Sala de la Inquisición, Sala de la vida doméstica, Sala de Mujeres & Sefarad, Sala de los ciclos festivos and Sala de la música sefardí.”(Casa de Sefarad, Turismo de Córdoba)

Monumento a la Infanta Maria Luisa

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Monumento a la Infanta Maria Luisa, 1972
(bronze copy of a work by Enrique Pérez Comendador, 1928)
Parque de María Luisa
Seville, September 2022

“The monument to the Infanta María Luisa is a bronze copy of the sculpture made in stone by Enrique Pérez Comendador in 1929, which is located in the María Luisa park in the city of Seville (Andalusia). It was installed by the Seville City Council in the park as a token of gratitude to Infanta María Luisa Fernanda de Borbón for donating some land from the San Telmo Palace to convert it into the current park. The first commission for the statue was made to the sculptor Antonio Susillo on March 23, 1893, who presented a project on December 17 of the same year, but on March 20, 1894 the Academy of Fine Arts of Santa Isabel de Hungría (Seville) decided not to approve the sculptor's project, and his unexpected death left him out of the project. It was not until 1929 that the work was completed, commissioned by Enrique Pérez Comendador, who made a stone statue representing the Infanta with a flower in her hand, which seems to symbolize her daughter María de las Mercedes. The statue was placed on Avenida Rodríguez Caso, within the park. In 1965, it moved its location a few meters within the same park and was placed next to the Lotus Pond. Later, the stone statue was stored in the Convent of Santa Clara and a bronze statue was placed in its place. Original statue in the gardens of the Orleans-Borbón Palace in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. In 1972 the stone statue was moved to the Plaza de los Cisnes in Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz), where her husband, the Duke of Montpensier Antonio de Orleans, also had a palace. In 2008 the stone statue was moved from the Plaza de los Cisnes to the gardens of the Orleans-Borbón Palace in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, which is now municipal.” (Monumento a la Infanta María Luisa, Wikipedia)

Santo Cáliz

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Santo Cáliz (Holy Chalice)
Catedral de Santa María
Plaza de la Virgen
Valencia, September 2022

“The Holy Chalice (Santo Cáliz) is an agate cup preserved in the Cathedral of Valencia. The chalice is commonly credited as being the actual Holy Grail used by Jesus during the Last Supper and is preserved in a chapel consecrated to it, where it still attracts the faithful on pilgrimage. The artifact has seemingly never been accredited with supernatural powers. The cup is made of dark red agate which is mounted by means of a knobbed stem and two curved handles onto a base made from an inverted cup of chalcedony. The agate cup is about 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) in diameter and the total height, including base, is about 17 centimetres (7 inches) high. The base, stems and handles are later additions purportedly medieval, with the lower part added 'Arabic looking' inscription. The red agate cup itself (the chalice) was most likely produced in a Levantine or Egyptian workshop between the 2nd century BC and the 1st century AD.” (Holy Chalice, Wikipedia)

San Miguel el Alto

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Church of San Miguel el Alto
Calle Corralillo San Miguel
Toledo, September 2022

“The Iglesia de San Miguel el Alto is a building of medieval origin located in Toledo (Castile-La Mancha, Spain). Dedicated to St Michael, the church served one of the old Latin parishes of the city, but is now part of the parish of San Justo. It appears that it also had some relation to the Knights Templar who are believed to have had a guest-house in Toledo. The original 12th century building was extensively remodelled in the 17th century by Juan Bautista Monegro, but retains some Mudejar features, notably its tower from around the end of the 13th century.” (Church of San Miguel el Alto, Wikipedia)

Día y Noche

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‘Día y Noche’ (Day and Night) by Antonio López García, 2008
Avenida de la Ciudad de Barcelona
Madrid, September 2022

“Just outside Atocha Station (a transportation hub also known for its own tropical garden), a pair of gigantic, realistic baby heads greet passengers. Made of bronze, they stand 3 meters (or nearly 10 feet) tall and weigh over 2 tons each. Although they may seem slightly creepy, the story behind these sculptures is a sweet one. The baby heads, installed here in 2008, are the work of the Spanish artist Antonio López García. They represent ‘Day’ (Día) and ‘Night’ (Noche). One of them has its eyes open and the other has its eyes shut. Designed in López García's realistic style, the meaning behind the freestanding baby heads may leave viewers scratching their own heads. But actually, both are based on the face of López García's granddaughter Carmen, when she was only eight months old. Born in a rural town in 1936, López García came to Madrid when he was 13 years old to study art. He first arrived at Atocha Station, and made his name as an artist in the following years. So it's quite fitting to find his baby granddaughter here, even though most people pass by the heads without knowing their background.” (Día y Noche, Atlas Obscura)

A la mujer cordobesa

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Monumento a la mujer cordobesa by José Manuel Belmonte Cortés, 2003
Plaza de Colón
Córdoba, September 2022

“The ‘Monumento a la belleza de la mujer cordobesa’ (Monument to the Beauty of Cordoban Women) is located next to the Merced Gardens, in the Plaza de Colón in the city of Córdoba, province of Córdoba. The work was inaugurated on April 29, 2003, and is the creation of sculptor José Manuel Belmonte Cortés. It stands as a tribute to the women of Córdoba, highlighting their elegance and the symbolism of the city's ancient traditions. The sculpture was conceived to highlight the connection with Córdoba's culture and heritage. The bronze monument depicts two Cordoban women standing on either side of a fountain. One of the figures holds a pitcher on her hip, while the other extends her hand toward the water, the pitcher at her side. Both women wear traditional Cordoban buns and combs, evoking a time of refined beauty. The work is notable for its realism and the detail in their hairstyles and traditional costumes.” (Fuente Monumento a la belleza de la mujer cordobesa, MonumentalNet)

Juan Pablo II

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Monumento a Juan Pablo II by Juan Manuel Miñarro, 2012
Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, Casco Antiguo
Seville, September 2022

“The monument to John Paul II is a bronze statue on a pedestal located in the Plaza Virgen de los Reyes in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. The monument represents a gesture from the city to John Paul II, who visited Seville in 1982, for the beatification of Angela de la Cruz, and in 1993, when he closed the XLV International Eucharistic Congress. The monument was designed in 2006 by the Association for the Promotion of John Paul II. It was built and displayed at the Cajasol Center in Plaza San Francisco. Various locations were considered for its placement: Plaza de la Contratación, Puerta de Jerez, and Adolfo Rodríguez Jurado Street. Finally, it was agreed to place it in Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, near Seville Cathedral and opposite the Archbishop's Palace. The statue stands on a marble pedestal with a plaque. It was inaugurated in 2012 in the presence of the mayor, Juan Ignacio Zoido, and the archbishop, Juan José Asenjo.” (Monumento a Juan Pablo II, Wikipedia)

Francisco Pizarro

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Francisco Pizarro by Pío Mollar Franch, 1930
Plaza de Manises
Valencia, September 2022

“An ornamental element located within the current plaza and created in homage to the Spanish people. A small fenced garden defines the quadrangular setting, which houses a recent stone pedestal from which emerges a slender Doric column (from the former Provincial Hospital). At the end of this rises a bronze statue (carved by Pío Mollar Franch ) representing the conquistador Francisco Pizarro. The complex, designed by municipal architect Emilio Rieta, was inaugurated on July 14, 1969.” (Plaza de Manises, Wikipedia)

Noria de Safont

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Noria de Safont
Parque de Safont
Toledo, September 2022

“Juanelo's hydraulic mechanism was capable of raising water 90 meters, enough to supply the Tagus to the Alcázar and the city. Two water wheels powered the device. The simplest was a simple waterwheel like the one reproduced; the second was complex. There are descriptions but no plans. Two designs compete today: the rocker arm and Valturro's scissors. Sitting in Safont Park—next to the bus station—we can see the useless imitation of a wheel that weeps for the true jewels that once were, and that only our nostalgic imagination can reconstruct and dream about.” (La noria del parque Safont en Toledo, Turismo matemático)

Puerta de Toledo

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Puerta de Toledo (Toledo Gate)
Glorieta de la Puerta de Toledo
Madrid, September 2022

“The Puerta de Toledo (Toledo Gate) was one of the access gates to the city of Madrid. There were previously three other gates called Toledo in the vicinity, the current one dates from the first third of the 19th century and was designed by the Spanish architect Antonio Aguado , which is located in the middle of the Glorieta de la Puerta de Toledo acting as a roundabout. It was erected as a triumphal arch in honor of King Ferdinand VII as a commemoration of the Spanish War of Independence after the French occupation. It was the last monumental gate erected in the old city of Madrid. It was built between 1813 and 1827 and was restored by Madrid City Council in 1995. Its location in the city provided access from the city center via calle de Toledo to the roads south of Madrid (Camino Real de Andalucía), after crossing the Manzanares River via the Toledo Bridge and the Carabancheles mountains.” (Puerta de Toledo, Wikipedia)

Marcus Claudius Marcellus

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Marcus Claudius Marcellus by Marcos Augusto Dueñas, 2015
Calle Claudio Marcelo
Córdoba, September 2022

“Marcus Claudius Marcellus (died c. 148 BC) was Roman consul for the years 166 BC (together with Gaius Sulpicius Gallus), for 155 BC (with Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica Corculum), and for 152 BC (with Lucius Valerius Flaccus). He was apparently the son of Marcus Claudius Marcellus (consul 196 BC), censor in 189 BC and the grandson of Marcus Claudius Marcellus, the five-times consul. He founded Corduba (Córdoba, Spain) in 169 BC.” (Marcus Claudius Marcellus, Wikipedia)

Edificio Pedro Roldán

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Edificio Pedro Roldán by José Espiau, 1927
Plaza de Jesús de la Pasión, Casco Antiguo
Seville, September 2022

“It is located next to the building that was built years earlier on the corner between Siete Revueltas and Alcaicería streets. This building, named after the Sevillian baroque artist Pedro Roldán, is one of the main examples of regionalism. The Arabic lines that can be seen on its façade are made with a combination of brick and tile, as well as the author's use of ornamental ironwork. José Espiau also adds one of the identifying elements of Second Regionalism, the panoramic tower, using again the dome that he already used in other previous constructions such as the Adriatic building and the City of London building that we can later see.” (Edificio Pedro Roldán, Visita Sevilla)

Rafael Guastavino

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Rafael Guastavino by Alfredo Llorens, 2022
Plaza de la Reina
Valencia, September 2022

“Rafael Guastavino Moreno (March 1, 1842 – February 1, 1908) was a Spanish building engineer and builder who immigrated to the United States in 1881; his career for the next three decades was based in New York City. Based on the Catalan vault, he created the Guastavino tile, a ‘Tile Arch System’, patented in the United States in 1885, which was used for constructing robust, self-supporting arches and architectural vaults using interlocking terracotta tiles and layers of mortar. His work appears in numerous prominent projects designed by major architectural firms in New York and other cities of the Northeast. Guastavino tile is found in some of New York's most prominent Beaux-Arts landmarks and in major buildings across the United States. It is also used in numerous architecturally important and famous buildings with vaulted spaces.” (Rafael Guastavino, Wikipedia)

Hospital de Tavera

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Hospital de Tavera
Calle Duque de Lerma
Toledo, September 2022

“The Hospital de Tavera, also known as the Hospital de San Juan Bautista, Hospital de afuera, or simply as Hospital Tavera, is an important building of Renaissance architecture located is in the Spanish city of Toledo. It was built between 1541 and 1603 by order of the Cardinal Tavera. This hospital is dedicated to John the Baptist and also served as pantheon for its patron, Cardinal Tavera. Initially it began to be constructed under the supervision of Alonso de Covarrubias, being succeeded by other architects, with Bartolomé Bustamante finishing the work. The remoteness with the old part of the city made it known as el hospital de afuera, since within the walls there already existed the Hospital de Santa Cruz. Currently the building remains the property of the House of Medinaceli and inside it is the Museo Fundación Lerma, which houses part of the artistic collections of this lineage, as well as the Section of the Nobility of the National Historic Archive.” (Hospital de Tavera, Wikipedia)

Statue of Isabel II

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Statue of Isabel II by José Piquer, 1850
Plaza de Isabel II
Madrid, September 2022

“That same year, 1868, the statue of Isabel II, commissioned and paid for by Manuel López Santaella and the work of José Piquer y Duart, was placed in the center of the square. A year later, the statue was removed from the center of the square and placed in the Teatro Real, until 1862, when an allegorical sculpture of the Comedy, the work of Francisco Elías Vallejo, was placed in its place. However, Isabel II did not return to the square until 1905. Valentín Gutiérrez de Miguel in the newspaper La Voz of February 3, 1922, gives a long account of the events and vicissitudes of the statue, its various locations and the pedestals needed, as well as the stinginess of the repeated operations to finance the works.” (Plaza de Isabel II, Wikipedia)

Custodia de Arfe

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Custodia de Arfe (Arfe monstrance) by by Enrique de Arfe, 1518
Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba
(Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba)
Calle Cardenal Herrero
Córdoba, September 2022

“The ‘custodia de Arfe’ (Arfe monstrance) is the processional monstrance of the Cathedral of Córdoba, carved by Enrique de Arfe between 1514 and 1518. Its base was made by the Cordoban Bernabé García de los Reyes between 1734 and 1735. Its function is to process the consecrated host which, according to the Catholic faith, is the body of Christ on the feast of Corpus Christi, an annual celebration. Bishop Martín Fernández de Angulo commissioned Enrique de Arfe, a goldsmith of Germanic origin, to create the Corpus Christi monstrance. Arfe had already built one in León and was already working on the one in Toledo. He began work on it around 1512, with the prelate leaving 500 ducats in his will for its completion. Archdeacon Francisco de Simancas also contributed 100 marks. The exquisitely finished work was premiered on June 3, 1518 under the pontificate of Cardinal Alonso Manrique, the year in which it was carried in procession for the first time. It is fair to point out that it was not only Arfe who made this magnificent jewel, but that he was assisted in its making by several Cordoban silversmiths (among them Juan Ruiz el Vandalino) who, trained by the German master, perfected their art and were thus able to replace him on his frequent trips to Toledo, where he was also sculpting the monstrance for that capital.” (Custodia procesional de la Mezquita-catedral de Córdoba, Wikipedia)

Basílica del Cristo de la Expiración

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Basílica del Cristo de la Expiración
Calle Castilla
Seville, September 2022

“The Basílica del Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración (Basilica of the Most Holy Christ of the Expiration), also called the Basílica del Cachorro or Basílica del Patrocinio, is a Catholic temple located in the Triana neighborhood of the city of Seville (Andalusia, Spain). The original Chapel of Sponsorship dates back to the late 17th century. In 1689, the Brotherhood of Sponsorship and that of Christ of the Expiration merged here, giving rise to the current Pontifical, Royal and Illustrious Brotherhood and Confraternity of Nazarenes of the Most Holy Christ of the Expiration and Our Mother and Lady of Sponsorship in Her Pain and Glory. The current chapel consists of two temples adjoining each other. The first of these temples dates from the 17th century, and was renovated around the middle of the following century, following the Lisbon earthquake of 1755.” (Basílica del Cristo de la Expiración, Wikipedia)

Tabernacolo di via dei Malcontenti

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“Tabernacolo” (Gothic-style shrine)
Via dei Malcontenti / Via delle Casine
Florence, January 2023

“The large tabernacle of via dei Malcontenti, or of Sant'Onofrio, is located at the intersection of via dei Malcontenti, via delle Casine and via San Giuseppe in Florence. It was formerly part of the Spedale dei Tintori.” (Tabernacolo di via dei Malcontenti, Wikipedia)

Family Group

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“Family Group” by Henry Moore, 1949
San Miniato al Monte
Via delle Porte Sante
Florence, December 2022

“Family Group (LH 269) is a sculpture by Henry Moore. It was his first large-scale bronze sculpture, and his first large bronze with multiple castings. Made for Barclay School in Stevenage, it evolved from drawings in the 1930s, through a series of models to bronze castings in 1950–51. It also one of the last important sculptures that Moore developed from preliminary drawings: in future, he worked mainly from found objects, maquettes and models. The sculpture depicts a group of three human figures, a stereotypical nuclear family comprising a man, a woman and a small child. The two adults are sitting on a bench, holding the child between them. The figures are slightly smaller than life size. Three of the five castings from the 1950s are still owned by the original owners, Barclay School, the Tate Gallery, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The others are held by the Hakone Open-Air Museum in Japan, and the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, with a later cast at the Henry Moore Foundation in Perry Green, Hertfordshire.” (Family Group, Wikipedia)