This is yours truly with another episode of some news from Spain !!! Lots of things going on , sad this time due to flooding all over ,We will be there next month, This is Spain, let me tell you my latest news chosen by yours truly, By the way CLXVI is old Roman numeral for 166, Hope you enjoy this post as I.
This year, the proposals of the designers Pedro del Hierro (Calle Serrano), Juana Martín ( Calle Fuencarral) and Ulises Mérida ( Luminous Opera tree) are added to Christmas lighting. These three designers will join by many others recognized associated firms of Acme that in the last four years have offered their creations to the city of Madrid. In total, the streets of the city will be adorned with 7100 chains, 121 cherry trees and a dozen large luminous firs, in addition to other Christmas motifs. The great luminous fir that is installed every year on the Puerta del Sol will premiere new design this year with almost 37 meters high (12 floors) and will be crowned by a star. It will have 245,000 points of light, high energy efficiency LED type, and with more than 3360 red balls of 30, 20 and 15 centimeters. Another novelty is that the great illuminated nativity that in recent years stood in the Plaza de Colón It moves next to the Metropolis building at the confluence of Gran Vía and Calle de Alcalá, composed of a three -dimensional figure 10 meters high, 4.60 meters wide and 2 meters deep, the structure is made of aluminum profiles that form the outer contour and delineate the figures that make up the surface of the nativity, There will also be a great 18 -meter star at the intersection of CEA Bermúdez with the Plaza de Cristo Rey.
The 400 m2 ice skating track that traditionally hosts from mid -December to January 5, the spectacular crystal gallery of the Cibeles Palace The Cibeles ice rink is one of The most emblematic places to skate in Madrid during the holidays. This track is roofed, which makes it a perfect option for the coldest or rainy days, without losing the charm of the Christmas environment, The Plaza de España hosts one of the largest and most popular ice skating in the city. With an area of 450 m², this track is part of the Christmas event, which also includes a Christmas market and a great gastronomic offer. The Plaza de Colón square is filled with an outdoor ice rink, ideal for those who want to enjoy Christmas while skating in one of the most emblematic areas of the city. This festive space also includes additional Christmas activities such as games, workshops for children and food stalls, creating an ideal atmosphere to spend the day as a family. The Wizink Center is not only a place for large concerts and sporting events, but during Christmas it becomes a huge ice rink. With great capacity and central location, it is perfect to enjoy a skating afternoon, both for beginners and more experienced skaters. In addition, this place offers a wide variety of Christmas activities, from markets to shows.
The Christmas Market of the Plaza Mayor from November 28 to December 31 2024 returns to celebrate these parties with all those who want to approach and tour their 104 booths. The Madrid Río traditionally hosts a Christmas market behind the clock house and next to Matadero and behind the Nave de Terneras, And in Madrid Rio and La Casa de Campo, specifically on the Puente del Rey, Christmas is usually installed on an enclosure where you can enjoy different Christmas attractions, such as a sled track, an ice rink for skating, hospitality stations and a small market with Christmas products. The Christmas market of El Corte Inglés de Castellana (paseo) offers a unique gastronomic experience with Food Trucks that serve dishes of renowned chefs. In addition to the traditional positions of Christmas ornaments and figurines for nativity scenes, you will find Disney and Lego stores. It also offers a music and light show that is projected on the facade of El Corte Inglés. It will be open until January 5 2025 on Calle Raimundo Fernández Villaverde , 79 ,Nuevo Ministerios area. Cortylandia, a tradition that every year thousands of Christmas families visit on the cover of the El Corte Inglés dept store. Without a doubt, you don’t have to pass without visiting this anthological place. From November 23 to January 5 2025,
And it goes on, they say that at least once in our lives we have to live a New Year’s Eve at the Puerta del Sol on December 31(pre eating of 12 grapes for the old year,) from 18h, And the traditional cavalcade of Kings on January 5 2025 from 18h30,
The province of Salamanca, you go by Ciudad Rodrigo historically been the military capital of the province. Its medieval and baroque walls delimit one of the most beautiful urban perimeters in
Castilla y León . Solid walls circumvent the town of Miranda del Castañar , in which the solemn towers of the tribute of its castle and the bells stand out. Béjar, historical capital of the region, presumes to have a modern ski resort and maintain remains of its most glorious times such as the Castle of the Dukes, whom Cervantes dedicated El Quijote, the Jewish museum or the route of the old textile factories , Alba de Tormes are determined by their link to the Dukes of Alba and the figure of Santa Teresa de Jesús.
The Holy would find her last abode here. The last days of her life and the spirit of her work is found in the convent of the Annunciation that she founded in 1571.Wonderful tour by car of course.
Tenerife ,the land of my grandparents, proud descendant, The most extensive and populated island of the archipelago ,and Spain ! is offered relaxed with that chicharrero spirit that infects. It is often said that in it there is a bit of all the Canary Islands, due to the variety of landscapes and climates of its territory: of the lush vegetation to aridity; of the volcanic beaches to those of golden sand; from the cold of Teide to the heat of its coast. Everything here invites discovery and enjoyment. Santa Cruz de Tenerife , the capital, a cosmopolitan and fascinating city. Hear mencey , the Guanche term that means king in the local old language, San Cristóbal de la Laguna , the traveler feels transported 500 years ago, when the route of the city was configured inspired by the navigation letters. It is a must -see visit the beautiful Calle San Agustín, where the Salazar house, the former convent of San Agustín or the Palace of Lercaro lies. Without forgetting two fundamental stops: the cathedral , and the Church of the Conception. And wherever you go do not forget to get away from tourist traps and visit the « Guachinches » , these are most often houses located inside a farm where grapes are cultivated and where authentic Canarian dishes are offered. And the price is ridiculous for the quality and the amount of food served. Indeed !!!
In 1907, Antonio Machado arrived in Soria to teach at the City General and Technical Institute, located in an old 17C Jesuit convent. Today is a Secondary Education Institute (IES) that bears the name of the poet and retains intact the classroom where it taught its French chair, with the desks of the time, photographs and all the academic documentation that it generated as a teacher. This Machado classroom can be visited freely , and there are signs indicators that guide the visitor, yes, only in school hours. Soria
recovers a gothic jewel as a cultural headquarters for events and protocol acts. This is the Espacio Santa Clara , an old convent complex founded in the 13C, which in the 19C, with the confiscation, remained for civil use. The building has been fort and barracks, also prison, and concentration camp between 1937 and 1939. Its restoration has revealed, among other wealth, the vaulted cover of the church and the moleman of the choir, In 1224 by the rule of San Damián and under the invocation of Santa Catalina, although it soon changed to that of Santa Clara, the so -called second order of San Francisco. One of the most emblematic buildings of El Collado, the most popular street in Soria, is the Friendship Circle Numancia, a private association born of the Union of the Casino de Numancia – constituted in 1848 – and the Circle of Friendship in 1865. In it is the great tail piano in which Gerardo Diego performed, in 1921, the most representative works of the great teachers. Its third floor hosts the Museo de la Casa de los Poetas or the museum of the Poets House, with spaces dedicated to Antonio Machado, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and Gerardo Diego himself. Wonderful to follow Antonio Machado and the museum in Soria ! Official museum webpage : https://www.casadelospoetasdesoria.com/
The fourth stage of the Camino de Santiago in La Rioja takes us to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, The pilgrim will leave San Millán de la Cogolla towards Berceo ,and the town of Cirueña , in which the main road of pilgrims is resumed, the Camino Francés or French Way. From here only 6 km remain to reach the destination: Santo Domingo de la Calzada , the ‘Compostela Riojana’, which is entered through the Calle Mayor, that of the pilgrims, around which the town grew and maintains the medieval layout, toured for centuries by the Concheiros (conch folks symbol of Santiago). Its walls, raised by the monarch Pedro I, are the largest in La Rioja. The old town treasures the splendor of its history that can be discovered in the House of Trastámara, where King Henry II of Castile lived and died; In the palace of the secretary of Carlos V, the Casa del Marqués de Ensenada, Casa de las Antiguas Carnicerías,(ancient butchers), Casa de los Ocios (leisures), Casa del Corregidor, and key places such as the Casa del Santo, Museo and seat of the Cofradía de Santo Domingo de la Calzada, or Brotherhood of Santo Domingo de la Calzada , in addition to pilgrim hostel;The Torre Exenta or exempt tower, the highest in La Rioja, and the cathedral of the Savior. Its origins and name are linked to the Ermita Domingo García . It tells the story that the Holy one , after being rejected in two monasteries, decided to devote himself to the Anacoreta life in a holm oak forest by the Oja River in the 11C seeing the hardships that passed the pilgrims he built a bridge. His benefactor popularity extended, and King Alfonso VI gave him some land in which he built a hospital and church. That construction work continued his whole life, fixing and improving the Jacobean route. After death, his remains were housed in the church he had built, thus giving name to the city, Santo Domingo
, called the calzada for being at the foot of the road. Done by car of course.
The secrets of the Prado Museum never end, it is an infinite surprise. When the drawings of José de Madrazo are shown these days, next spring the Pinacoteca will exhibit in its spaces, in some exprofesic designed furniture, drawings, prints and photographs that improve the knowledge of the works of the gallery; We will also see drawings, between the canvases or sculptures, which helped their creation or are related to them and, to their classic discretion, we work to finish The Prado museum on Madrazo : https://www.museodelprado.es/actualidad/noticia/el-museo-nacional-del-prado-explora-las-claves/144bcdd6-add2-ab20-51d6-5080c08cbd21
There you go folks, another dandy tour of my dear Spain. It is time to enjoy my some news from Spain once again, Remember, Spain is everything under the Sun ! Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember ,happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 