This is yours truly with another episode of some news from Spain !!! Lots of things going on This is Spain, let me tell you my latest news chosen by yours truly, By the way CLXXV is old Roman numeral for 175, Therefore, here is my take on some news from Spain, part CLXXV !!! Hope you enjoy this post as I.
It is the only Roman lighthouse in the world that remains operational, and it is located in Spain: it is over 2,000 years old and a World Heritage Site. This is the Tower of Hercules in A Coruña, considered the oldest Roman lighthouse in the world and the only one from that era still in service. It was built in the late 1C or early 2C during the Roman Empire, and its design is attributed to Gaius Sevius Lupus, an architect from Coimbra. Situated on the northern coast of the A Coruña peninsula at an elevation of about 50 meters, its light has served for centuries as a reference point for vessels navigating the Atlantic corridor.
Pepe Habichuela, a titan of the flamenco guitar, has died. The artist passed away in Madrid at the age of 82; he was awarded the Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts in 2018 and the Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise, the same year. Having honed his craft in the caves of Sacromonte in his hometown of Granada, he always acknowledged that the power of his *rasgueo* (strumming) stemmed from his drive to make himself heard amidst the handclapping, singing, and dancing though that is just one of the many contributions the art form owes him. He left Granada for Madrid in 1964 at the behest of his older brother, Juan, who was already established in the city. He is also remembered by fellow guitarist, producer, and writer José Manuel Gamboa, who published the biography *Pepe Habichuela: Now or Never* last year. RIP
Police have recovered a 16C wooden relief stolen 16 years ago from a monastery in Navarre. The piece, a relief from an altarpiece dedicated to the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception originally stood on the high altar of the Santa Clara de Fitero monastery aka Santa María de Niencebas, from which it was taken. Crafted from carved, gilded, and polychromed wood, the relief depicts Saint Bonaventure, a 13C Franciscan mystic, philosopher, and theologian ,and measures 81 x 45.5 x 10 centimeters; it is attributed to the circle of the renowned Renaissance sculptor Juan de Anchieta. The work was stolen in 2010.
The best beaches near Santander: Valdearenas. Situated halfway between the Somocuevas and Los Caballos beaches and bordering the Liencres Dunes Natural Park, Valdearenas boasts three kilometers of fine white sand; it is accessed via a path that descends through a pine forest. Valdearenas is unique, and for many, distinct from its neighbors because it lies right at the mouth of Cantabria’s major river, the Pas, and merges with the smaller Canallave beach at low tide. It is also a favorite spot for nudists. Los Tranquilos. The beautiful, laid-back beach of Los Tranquilos true to its name is actually an extension of a six-kilometer stretch of sand running from El Puntal (which juts into the heart of Santander Bay) to the town of Loredo, passing the surfing paradise of Somo along the way. Los Tranquilos sits at the end of this incredible sandy strip, offering the choice of swimming in the bay’s calm waters or on the other side in the rougher open-sea waves where the beach is located. The best way to arrive is by taking one of the boats connecting Santander to Somo, followed by a pleasant walk along the shore. Set within a dune ecosystem, the views of the vast blue Cantabrian Sea and Santa Marina Island are an added bonus that first-time visitors could hardly have imagined.
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a project costing one billion dollars, will open on December 11. Valerie Hillings has been named the first director of the center, located in the Saadiyat Cultural District. Its neighbors will include Jean Nouvel’s Louvre Abu Dhabi and Norman Foster’s Zayed National Museum.
The Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres opens at night from August 1 to 23, 2026, offering an unforgettable experience: exploring the artist’s universe amidst the shadows allows for a deeper connection to the most arcane sources of the genius from Figueres.
Regarding the secrets of Chamberí, the “ghost station” on Line 1 of the Madrid Metro passengers traveling between the Bilbao and Iglesia stops used to press their faces and hands against the train windows, peering into the darkness in hopes of catching a glimpse of it. Today, that “ghost station” is a reality known as Andén 0 or Platform 0. Chamberí Station is part of the Madrid Metro Museums; visiting it offers a delightful journey into the past and a unique experience in the city that shouldn’t be missed. Access to the old station is via the centrally located Plaza de Chamberí. Inside, one finds a spacious room featuring white tiles, a grey metal ticket booth, wooden shelving and chairs, and old turnstiles with signs reading billetes usados or used tickets. This marks the start of a tour that transports visitors back to the early 20C to discover the origins of the underground railway, the station itself, and the city. This was the birth of the Compañía Metropolitano Alfonso XIII in 1917 ,a project comprising four lines covering 14 km at a depth of 10 meters. Unknown to many, the station and the metro line were built along the route leading to the city’s cemeteries, specifically, over what was known as the Callejón de los Muertos or Alley of the Dead. Later, following the closure of urban cemeteries, the area became known as the Campo de las Calaveras or Field of Skulls or Barrio de los Enterramientos or Burial District, as carpenters, stonemasons, and makers of religious statuary had settled there. King Alfonso XIII inaugurated the first line in 1919, connecting Cuatro Caminos with Puerta del Sol. It operated with five-car trains and had a capacity of 250 passengers, with trains running every two to three minutes. As seen on the era’s yellowing information panels, there were two ticket classes first and second, costing 30 and 20 centimos, respectively. That initial route stopped at six stations Río Rosas, Martínez Campos (Iglesias), Bilbao, Hospicio (Tribunal), Red de San Luis (Gran Vía), and the one the visitor explores: Chamberí. It was a station that, after forty-seven years of operation, was closed due to the expansion of the railway network, the introduction of new train cars, and its location on a curve. Shut down in May 1969, the metro system in Madrid is Europe’s second-largest, featuring 14 lines, 302 stations, and over 280 km of track, The official Metro Museums of Madrid on Chamberi : https://museosmetromadrid.es/estacion-de-chamberi_0/
On August 12, 2026. This day, specifically, a 90-second window between 19h30 (7:30 PM) and 21h17 (9:17 PM) will go down in Spain’s astronomical history. That summer evening will see the first total solar eclipse visible from the Iberian Peninsula in over a century. The Community of Madrid has designated observation points in eleven towns across the northern and eastern parts of the region: Somosierra (where the phenomenon will last the longest, at 1 minute and 29 seconds), Buitrago del Lozoya, La Cabrera, El Molar, Meco, San Agustín del Guadalix, Puerto de Navacerrada, Colmenar Viejo, Alcalá de Henares, Tres Cantos, and San Sebastián de los Reyes (where the duration will be shortest, at 35 seconds). Free, certified special glasses for safe viewing are available at the 34 “Pueblos con Vida” information points and at the 11 observation sites.
The Ruta del Gran Explorador or the Great Explorer Route in Tenerife reveals the most authentic side of the “Island of Eternal Spring,” boasting 320 days of sunshine a year, 11 pleasant microclimates, and an average temperature of 22°C (about 72F). It features Mount Teide, the island’s quintessential icon, Spain’s highest peak at 3,715 meters, and the world’s third-largest volcano, surpassed only by Hawaii’s Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Legend has it that the deity Achamán defeated and imprisoned the evil spirit within the mountain, making him responsible for any eruptions. The route encompasses everything from the Millennial Dragon Tree (the country’s oldest tree, at 800 years old) and the Cueva del Viento (Europe’s longest volcanic tube, stretching 18.5 km) to the witches of Anaga Rural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve boasting Europe’s highest concentration of endemic plants. It also includes the Red Mountain (Montaña Roja) at El Médano beach, a mecca for windsurfing enthusiasts, and the Castle of San Cristóbal, home to the bronze cannon “El Tigre” three meters long and weighing 3,000 kilos ( about 6614 pounds) which famously tore off the arm of British Admiral Horatio Nelson in 1797. Just two years later, the island welcomed its first tourist: the German geographer, naturalist, and explorer Alexander von Humboldt, who climbed Teide to conduct air analysis studies. The route concludes in some of Tenerife’s (and Spain’s) most beautiful official towns such as Garachico, La Orotava, and San Cristóbal de La Laguna all distinguished by their strong colonial character. The official Tenerife tourist office : https://www.webtenerife.co.uk/what-see/
Véneta is a brand founded under the guidance of Venetian master gelato maker Maurizio Melani, with a shop on Calle del Carmen, just steps away from Puerta del Sol. The shop was ranked fifth in the world, and first in Spain in the 2024 Gelato Festival World Ranking, a prestigious list in the artisanal gelato industry that brings together professionals from 22 countries. It stands as a benchmark for Italian gelato, thanks to production methods faithful to tradition, resulting in an exceptionally creamy texture, lower fat content, and the use of high-quality ingredients. Its list of accolades includes the award for Best Gelato in Europe in 2019, the Best Gelato award at the 2017 Gelato Festival America for its “Sicily Orange Sunrise” creation, and the title of Best Gelato in Spain won twice for its now-iconic Galleta de la Abuela or Grandma’s Cookie flavor. Véneta’s display case features around 40 flavors, including highlights such as pistachio, *dulce de leche*, cookie with Nutella, blood orange, fresh mint, *crema catalana*, and cotton candy. However, the star attraction remains Grandma’s Cookie. In addition to the Calle del Carmen location near Puerta del Sol, the company has four other shops in the Valencian Community: two in the center of Valencia (Carrer dels Brodadors, 8, and Carrer de Ribera, 7), one on the city’s seafront promenade (Passeig de Neptú, 14), and a fourth at Avenida Mediterrani, 105, in Port de Sagunt.
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 ! A very special post, always remember where it all begin, it is you ! Again, hope you enjoy the post on some news from Spain, part CLXXV !!! as I.
And remember ,happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 