Paris1972-Versailles2003

Once again, found several pictures not in my blog from these wonderful cities that felled needed to have here, It is a big task to write about these two and have several posts in my blog already ! These are awesome, a must to see really sublime, there is always more, me thnk, Therefore, let me tell you a bit even if repeated on the marvelous Catedral Santa Maria, primada de Toledo,and the Alcazar fortress of Segovia !!! Of course ,Toledo, is in the province of Toledo, in the autonomous community of Castilla La Mancha,, and Segovia is in the province of Segovia, in the autonomous community of Castillay y Léon,  Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Catedral Primada Santa Maria or St Mary’s Primate Cathedralis 120 meters long by 59 meters wide and has five nave in addition to a cruiser aisle and dome as well as a cloister, 88 columns, and 72 vaults. The main façade has three gates such as Puerta del Perdon (Forgiveness), Puerta del Juicio Final (final judgement), to the right, and Puerta del Infierno (hell) to the left. There is , also the Puerta del Reloj (Clock) oldest from early 14C; the Puerta de los Leones (Lions) is 15C .Other gates are Puerta Llana (flat) , Portada de Santa Catalina ( St Catherine), and Puerta de la Presentacion (Presentation).  The Bell tower is 92 meters high and finalized in 1422 in Gothic style. The construction of St Mary’s Cathedral began in 1226 with white stone  in Gothic style;finished in 1493.

Some basic information, as said see posts, Many Chapels were replaced,altered, or eliminated over time.  Of the Minor Chapels there are only two remaining such as of Santa Ana ,and San Gil. From the Mayor Chapels the ones that have original elements are of San Juan Bautista ,and Santa Leocadis. Altered Chapels but ornamentation is the original are Reyes Viejos , and Santa Lucía. You have the Capilla Mayor , inside of it you see the Capilla del Sepulcro (burial) , the beforementioned Capilla Mozarabe; Capilla de los Reyes Nuevos, Capilla de la Epifania, Capilla de la Concepcion, Capilla de San Martin, Capilla de San Eugenio, and  Capilla de San Juan Bautista. The Sala Capitular, you find more chapels such as Capilla de San Ildefonso, Capilla de Santiago, and Capilla del Cristo de la Columna. On the north side you have the Capilla de San Pedro, Capilla de la Piedad, Capilla de la Pila Bautismal, Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Antigua, and Capilla de Doña Teresa de Haro. Then, you have the Sacristia or sacristy. Capilla de la Virgen del Sagrario, Capilla del Ochavo, and the choir or Coro, the Trasparente by the Capilla Mayor representing the eucharist of the holy sacrament (1729-1732) . The treasury or Tesoro.The lower and high cloister from 1389, where you find the Capilla de San Blas.

The official Catedral Primada de Toledo:  https://www.catedralprimada.es/

The Toledo Tourist office on the Cathedral:  https://turismo.toledo.es/recursos/museos-y-monumentos/id1450-santa-iglesia-catedral-primada-de-toledo.html

Going north we have the Alcazar of Segovia erected from the 12C, thanks to the reconquest of Toledo, in 1085, by King Alfonso VI of Castile. Initially built on the remains of a Roman fortress, developments continued until the reign of Philip II in the 16C, The Alcazar of Segovia served as a state prison until 1762. It was transformed into the Royal College of ‘Artillery by King Charles III in 1764. The fortress houses the General Military Archives of Spain from 1898 to today. The sumptuous castle consists of two parts. First, the exterior with its courtyard, the moat, the drawbridge and the keep. Then the interior dependencies which include the royal rooms and the chapel. The interior halls were decorated by talented painters and Mudejar artists. With its Mudejar-style ceiling, the Salon de Reyes or Hall of Kings is the most remarkable room in the fortress. There are the 52 statues of the Castilian and Leon kings leaning against the frieze. A view of the Castilian countryside north of Segovia from the Alcazar.  In the Alcazar you have the important and historical Torre de Juan II or tower of John II, due to the important role played by this king in the continuous construction of the Alcazar. Indeed, it was John II who built the new keep ,square in shape, surrounded by four turrets, This impressive tower was used as a weapons room. You reach the top of the tower thanks to a narrow and very steep staircase, and from there, you can enjoy a superb view of Segovia and its surroundings, The keep of the Alcazar of Segovia is one of the riches that give this magnificent castle a majestic setting.

The official Alcazar of Segovia: http://www.alcazardesegovia.com/

The Segovia tourist office on the Alcazar: https://turismodesegovia.com/en/monuments/28-fortress-alcazar

Again, these are a must to visit , if only one thing to see,  I have come to Segovia and Toledo sometimes just walk around it ,and others go in the monuments, always a great satisfaction of seeing it.  There you go folks, these are jewels of our times, Again, you enjoy this post on the marvelous Catedral Primada Santa Maria of Toledo, and the Alcazar of Segovia as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!