Seville – Plaza de España
The Plaza de España is a magnificent square – sorry – a magnificent semicircular piazza that was designed as the centrepiece for the Latin American Exposition of 1929. Two hundred metres wide, it is almost entirely covered with glazed tiles that depict historical scenes and pictures of other Spanish related subjects.
Other blogs by Robert Bovington:
|
“Photographs of Spain”
|
|
|
“Spanish Impressions”
|
|
|
“you couldn’t make it up!”
|
|
|
“a grumpy old man in Spain”
|
|
|
“bits and bobs”
|
|
|
“Spanish Expressions”
|
|
|
“Spanish Art”
|
|
|
“Books About Spain”
|
Benaoján – a village in the Serranía de Ronda
 |
| railway line viewed from just above Benaoján © Robert Bovington |
Benaoján is a pretty village that I first encountered when I travelled on the Algeciras to Ronda railway. Near the railway station there is a footpath to Cueva de la Pileta – a cave with primitive rock paintings of animals that, apparently, date from around 25,000 BC. Just above the village there is a mirador where spectacular views can be enjoyed – poplar, willow and oleander at the bottom of the valley; evergreen oak, peonies, thickets of kermes oak, retama and broom on the hillside; gorse, thyme and sage beneath jagged outcrops of limestone on higher ground and probably the odd vulture or two circling above.
There are about 300 griffin vultures in the Serranía de Ronda, which is a tribute to the local conservationists as during the 1960’s the birds were almost extinct.
Other blogs by Robert Bovington:
|
“Photographs of Spain”
|
|
|
“Spanish Impressions”
|
|
|
“you couldn’t make it up!”
|
|
|
“a grumpy old man in Spain”
|
|
|
“bits and bobs”
|
|
|
“Spanish Expressions”
|
|
|
“Spanish Art”
|
|
|
“Books About Spain”
|
Zahara de la Sierra – one of the White Towns of Andalusia
 |
| Zahara de la Sierra © Robert Bovington |
Zahara de la Sierra can be seen from miles away because it is situated in one of the most dramatic locations of all the White Towns. Its 13th-century Moorish castle stands high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sugar-cubed houses of the village that also enjoys a hilltop setting.
The village was built by the Moors in the 8th century and was an important stronghold of the Nasrids until the Christians captured it in the 15th century.
There is a fine church – the Baroque Iglesia de Santa María de Mesa that was built in the 18th century.
Zahara de la Sierra has been declared a National Monument.
Other blogs by Robert Bovington:
|
“Photographs of Spain”
|
|
|
“Spanish Impressions”
|
|
|
“you couldn’t make it up!”
|
|
|
“a grumpy old man in Spain”
|
|
|
“bits and bobs”
|
|
|
“Spanish Expressions”
|
|
|
“Spanish Art”
|
|
|
“Books About Spain”
|
La línea de los ingleses
La línea de los ingleses – the ‘English Railway’ is a trip through some of the most beautiful countryside in Andalucía. The little three-carriage train winds its way past some of the attractive ‘white towns’ of the region and through the spectacular scenery of the Los Alcornocales and Grazalema Natural Parks.
Other blogs by Robert Bovington:
|
“Photographs of Spain”
|
|
|
“Spanish Impressions”
|
|
|
“you couldn’t make it up!”
|
|
|
“a grumpy old man in Spain”
|
|
|
“bits and bobs”
|
|
|
“Spanish Expressions”
|
|
|
“Spanish Art”
|
|
|
“Books About Spain”
|
Tarifa – Castillo de Guzman
 |
| Castillo de Guzman |
The most important building in Tarifa is the Castillo de Guzman. This 10th-century medieval fortress is known as the Castle of Guzmán the Good. It was named after Alfonso Pérez Guzmán who in no way would have won the ‘Father of the Year’ award – apparently, he threw down his dagger to besieging Moorish forces for them to execute his son who had been held hostage. He did this rather than surrender the city to the marauding Arabs.
Other blogs by Robert Bovington:
|
“Photographs of Spain”
|
|
|
“Spanish Impressions”
|
|
|
“you couldn’t make it up!”
|
|
|
“a grumpy old man in Spain”
|
|
|
“bits and bobs”
|
|
|
“Spanish Expressions”
|
|
|
“Spanish Art”
|
|
|
“Books About Spain”
|
Puerta de Jerez, Tarifa
 |
| Puerta de Jerez, Tarifa © Robert Bovington |
Much of Tarifa exhibits a distinctly Moorish character with its narrow, winding streets and whitewashed houses. Entry into the old quarter is through a particularly fine archway – the Puerta de Jerez.
Other blogs by Robert Bovington:
|
“Photographs of Spain”
|
|
|
“Spanish Impressions”
|
|
|
“you couldn’t make it up!”
|
|
|
“a grumpy old man in Spain”
|
|
|
“bits and bobs”
|
|
|
“Spanish Expressions”
|
|
|
“Spanish Art”
|
|
|
“Books About Spain”
|
Ciudad Real – Plaza Mayor
 |
| Ciudad Real – Plaza Mayor © Robert Bovington |
The Plaza Mayor is an attractive square in the Castilian city of Ciudad Real.
Other blogs by Robert Bovington:
|
“Photographs of Spain”
|
|
|
“Spanish Impressions”
|
|
|
“you couldn’t make it up!”
|
|
|
“a grumpy old man in Spain”
|
|
|
“bits and bobs”
|
|
|
“Spanish Expressions”
|
|
|
“Spanish Art”
|
|
|
“Books About Spain”
|
Huelva – Cathedral of La Merced
One of the most important buildings in Huelva is the Cathedral of La Merced, which began life as a church – the Convent of La Merced was constructed in 1605. It was converted to a cathedral in 1953. It also has been declared a site of Cultural Interest.
Other blogs by Robert Bovington:
|
“Photographs of Spain”
|
|
|
“Spanish Impressions”
|
|
|
“you couldn’t make it up!”
|
|
|
“a grumpy old man in Spain”
|
|
|
“bits and bobs”
|
|
|
“Spanish Expressions”
|
|
|
“Spanish Art”
|
|
|
“Books About Spain”
|
Casas Colgadas in Cuenca
 |
| Casas Colgadas in Cuenca © Robert Bovington |
The beautiful and ancient city of Cuenca is steeped in history and perfectly preserved and that is why UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. Famous for its ‘Hanging Houses’, there are many other reasons why this city is so special. The old town is perched on a precipice above two deep gorges carved out by the rivers Huécar and Júcar. It is here that the medieval Casas Colgadas literally overhang the Huécar gorge.
Other blogs by Robert Bovington:
|
“Photographs of Spain”
|
|
|
“Spanish Impressions”
|
|
|
“you couldn’t make it up!”
|
|
|
“a grumpy old man in Spain”
|
|
|
“bits and bobs”
|
|
|
“Spanish Expressions”
|
|
|
“Spanish Art”
|
|
|
“Books About Spain”
|
Olías – a small village nr Málaga
Olías is a small village in Málaga province. It is located about 20 km from the city of Málaga and about 5 km from the village of Totalán.
Olías is situated within the Montes de Malaga, on a hillside about 420 meters above sea level.
Olías is situated within the Montes de Malaga, on a hillside about 420 meters above sea level.
 |
| Olías (Málaga) © Robert Bovington |
Other blogs by Robert Bovington:
|
“Photographs of Spain”
|
|
|
“Spanish Impressions”
|
|
|
“you couldn’t make it up!”
|
|
|
“a grumpy old man in Spain”
|
|
|
“bits and bobs”
|
|
|
“Spanish Expressions”
|
|
|
“Spanish Art”
|
|
|
“Books About Spain”
|
Postcards from Spain 