This is yours truly with another episode of some news from Spain !!! thanks to you all. There is lots of things going on in my beloved Spain, and Winter is here already! I am eagerly looking forward to be back to Spain too!! Let me tell you the latest tidbits of news chosen by yours truly, By the way CXXXVIIII is old Roman for 139, Enjoy it as Spain is everything under the Sun!
The Brain(s)’: the most amazing exhibition you can see about the most mysterious organ, we have known for a long time that we are not a duality of soul and body, It groups 86,000 million neurons and that allows us to memorize, speak, dream, create, feel It is free and is in the Fundación Telefónica ,webpage: https://espacio.fundaciontelefonica.com/en/evento/brains/
They find the galleon Santo Cristo de Burgos, which disappeared 300 years ago in Oregon USA. This ship, which made its route between the Philippines and Mexico, had been missing since its shipwreck in 1693. Between 1565 and 1815, there was an annual trade route between the Spanish colonies in the Philippines and Mexico. This route was carried out with Manila galleons, exceptional vessels made of Asian wood, very resistant, such as those of the famous Santo Cristo de Burgos or the ships that took Magellan to the Philippines on his trip to the Moluccas, which Elcano culminated with the first circumnavigation. The National Geographic magazine has published a complete article with all the findings and with the details of the recovery operation. It is known that 231 people were traveling on board this ship at the time of the shipwreck, including some 170 Spaniards (clerics, nobles, sailors and soldiers). The Maritime Archeology Society (MAS) had its eye on the area of the shipwreck since 2020, but due to the pandemic and the weather, it was not until 2022 that they were able to approach the place. The recovery team consisted of archaeologists from the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation, MAS, and SEARCH Inc. (a cultural resource management company). The area was scouted by firefighters on jet skis and divers had to enter a sea cave while being assisted from the cliffs. In these operations, remains of Chinese porcelain have been recovered in very good condition. In addition, the Santo Cristo de Burgos was known by another name, the “Beeswax”, since its main merchandise was beeswax in blocks or in the form of candles to supply the monasteries, churches and homes of the colonies. . Apart from wax, it also transported silk and other materials from Asia. NG webpage : https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/legendary-spanish-galleon-shipwreck-discovered-on-oregon-coast
Lerín is the town in Spain closest to the stars, and in Navarra. In 2021, it became the first Spanish town to obtain Starlight certification, something like the astronomical equivalent to the gastronomic stars awarded by the Michelin Guide , Located at an altitude of 437 meters, this town and its municipal area have an area of 98.16 square km in which its neighbors do not lose sight of the immensity that covers them. Its streets rise to about 100 meters above the bed of the Ega river. Like a mirror, in quiet seasons, its waters are part of an absolute landscape: heaven and earth intertwine here without interference. These are scenarios that incorporate the observation of the firmament as part of their natural, landscape, cultural or scientific heritage and thereby promote sustainable tourism combining science and tourism. Webpage : http://www.lerin.es/turismo/monumentos-y-que-visitar/
The most famous Christmas in Spain is in Vigo, and (as Julio Iglesias would say) you know it. This year, some 45,000 people gathered to see how Christmas was literally ‘turned on’, with the eleven million LED lights that make up the Porta do Sol. The music, lights and attractions have already become a tradition known throughout the country. and a way to attract more Christmas tourism. Webpage :https://www.turismodevigo.org/es/actualidad/erase-una-vez-la-navidad-en-vigo
Torrejón de Ardoz (Comunidad de Madrid), The communidad de Madrid’s official city of Christmas lights has earned the title in its own right. Children’s attractions, Christmas decorations, markets and many shows. This year new activities have been added, such as the Ice Festival, the first International Ice Figure Contest. There are even monologues. From November to January, it is already a tradition that all Christmas lovers who reside in or pass through the capital pay a visit to Torrejón on these designated dates. Gastronomy is also another reason, as you can mix Spanish dishes such as churros with a good mulled wine or some Brazilian coconut beijinhos. Webpage : https://magicasnavidades.ayto-torrejon.es/
A series of lucky coincidences and a chain of ultimately blessed mistakes brought the La Niña, La Pinta, and Santa María to the Americas in 1492 from the Canary Island of La Gomera, a 2,400-mile journey that he thought would take him to Japan. There Columbus prayed, and can be read on one of the plaques in the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in San Sebastián de La Gomera, which beyond the historical anecdote is an authentic museum of sacred art. Although the small hermitage of mud and stones that Christopher Columbus knew was much humbler than the current one, its central nave remains as it was then, with later constructions that make it the largest church on the island. The origin of this temple dates back to the 15C, and for a long time it was the only parish on the island of La Gomera. It survived attacks by the English and looting by pirates from North Africa and is an example of how the island was built in a mixed way, mixing the styles that came to this port of call for ships from all over the world. Gothic in character, with Mudejar and Baroque signs and with a white façade of Portuguese origin. He returned two more times, in 1493 and in 1498. La Gomera tourism : https://lagomera.travel/en/
Maya, the daughter Picasso had with Marie-Thérèse Walter, dies at the age of 87. She dedicated part of her life to the study and preservation of the legacy of her father, Maria de la Concepcion Picasso was born 1935 inBoulogne Billancourt.(Hauts de Seine 92), On January 8, 1927, when leaving the Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Pablo Picasso ran into a young blonde with blue eyes, of Swedish origin, who immediately captivated him. She proposed to photograph her. Marie-Thérèse Walter was 17 years old, he 28 more. The artist was still married to the Russian dancer Olga Khokhlova, with whom he had had his only child until then, Paulo. From that day on, Pablo and Marie-Thérèse became inseparable. He fell madly in love with her and he made her his new muse and lover. He obsessively painted and sculpted her in innumerable works, always voluptuous, sensual, with curved brushstrokes. In 1930 Picasso bought the Castle of Boisgeloup (Gisors ,Eure dept 27 of Normandie), where he lived his passionate love with Marie-Thérèse, the result of which his daughter Maya was born on September 5, 1935 at the Belvedere Clinic in Boulogne-Billancourt. Her real name was María de la Concepción, a name that Picasso gave her in memory of his younger sister, who died at the age of 14 due to diphtheria. He had promised never to paint or draw again if she was spared. It was not like that, unfortunately for him, but fortunately for the History of Art. Maya was a carbon copy of her father. Until in 1938 he painted six portraits of Maya reminiscent of Velázquez’s dwarfs and buffoons. They were always in the hands of Picasso. All are from a private collection, except one, from the Picasso Museum in Paris. Everything is there. Her little clothes,her toys… They are wonderful portraits Picasso portrays Marie-Thérèse and Maya in the privacy of the apartment that he had secretly rented at number 44 rue La Boétie 8éme ,Paris, very close to the studio of the. He paints his young lover while he nurses Maya.
Nice historical towns to discover in my dear Spain
El Burgo de Osma, (prov Soria) a charming walled enclave in the province of Soria. Among its main attractions are the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, built between the 12C and 18C and which combines three different artistic styles: Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. You must also discover the Episcopal Palace, the University of Santa Catalina and the castle, located on the outskirts of the town, making it perfect for enjoying the best views. webpage: https://www.burgodeosma.com/monumentos.html
In Castrojeriz (prov Burgos) Framed within the Camino de Santiago, it has some of the most outstanding landmarks of the journey, such as the General Hospital of San Antón. You should also visit the Collegiate Church of Nuestra Señora del Manzano or the Palace of the Counts of Castro, a Gothic-style building that has earned it a place on the list due to its importance as a historical heritage. The Museum of Sacred Art of the Virgen del Manzano church as well as that of Santo Domingo de Guzmán are other must-sees in this beautiful Burgos town that already appeared in guides for pilgrims from the 12C. webpage: https://castrojeriz.es/castrojeriz/turismo
In Trevélez (Granada province) We jumped to the Alpujarra of Granada to enjoy one of the most beautiful corners of the Sierra Nevada National Park. There, almost 1,500 meters high, is located this municipality known for its Neolithic archaeological sites. Divided into three neighborhoods (high, medium and low), among its historic buildings the church of San Benito or the hermitage of La Virgen de Las Nieves stand out. It is also essential to mark a hiking route in the surroundings, either to the area of the Seven Lagoons or the Mulhacén peak. Webpage: https://www.trevelez.es/lugares-destacados/
This is the best artisan Roscón de Reyes in Madrid 2023, The Panod workshop is proclaimed the winner of the last Christmas call in which Isabel Maestre and the Dobleuve bakery have occupied second and third place. The fifth edition of the contest organized by the Gastroactitud portal has had a jury of professionals under the presidency of the great pastry chef Paco Torreblanca, The winner Panod webpage : https://panod.es/
The new in Madrid! The Robuchon group has landed in the historic Embassy venue (Paseo de la Castellana, 12) with three spaces (L’Atelier, L’Ambassade, Le Speakeasy) and the class that has given the French house so much fame. Since 1911, the last opening of the Pescaderías Coruñesas group, which this year has written an outstanding chapter, with the best fish as an indisputable claim. The price, yes, is commensurate with the quality. Going to Lhardy (Carrera de San Jerónimo, 8) continues to be quite an experience that has managed to maintain the essence of the space founded in 1839 . Horcher. Located in front of the Retiro Park, this temple of good food stands out for its seasonal fish menu Bistronomika (Ibiza, 44), with Carlos de Portillo in charge, has become one of the temples of fish and seafood in the city . His mastery of the embers is a guarantee of good work. Design the menu almost daily, depending on the season and market In the La Paz market (Ayala, 28) the tortilla from Casa Dani and the pasta from Matteo Cucina Italiana never fail. We head towards Antón Martín market (Sta. Isabel, 5). An obligatory stop in Lalópez -now they are working on dishes with mushrooms and embroidering them Carnivores have proposals in the renovated San Antón market (Chueca), with Juancho’s BBQ Leña (Paseo de la Castellana, 57), the Madrid branch of the homonymous steakhouse that Chef Dani García opened Pacífico (Conde de Xiquena, 2) in Marbella in 2020, a minimalist space with spectacular smash burgers that has only been open for three months.
There you go folks, another dandy tour of my beloved Spain ! We have reach Winter and cold weather and snow are showing up, and will be colder from now on ; just enough to be cozy and homey again. Time to enjoy my dear Spain once again, and we are gear up for it! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember ,happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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