Sites to See…Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba (Spain)

The Mezquita (mosque) was built between the 8th and 10th centuries, at a time when Córdoba was the largest and most prosperous city in Europe. For several centuries it served as a striking symbol of the Moors’ conquest of the peninsula and Córdoba’s importance as the center of Muslim power in Spain.

Besides its massive size, the Mezquita’s most distinctive features are the 856 red- and-white double arches made of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite that soar overhead. The arches were made from pieces of the Roman temple that had previously occupied the Mezquita site.

After the Christian Reconquest in 1236, the Mezquita was converted to a church, and successive kings made changes to it, including adding chapels within the mosque, as well as converting the minaret to a baroque bell tower. Today the Mezquita is the Cathedral of Córdoba, officially known as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. This truly unique example of Spanish Moorish architecture has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is a must see for anyone visiting Córdoba. For more information, click here.

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Sites to See...Cathedral of Seville and the Giralda, Seville (Spain)

 

 

Built on the site of the Great Mosque, the Cathedral of Seville is the largest Gothic building in the world and the third largest in Europe. No visit to Seville would be complete without touring its great expanse, marveling at the 15th C. stained glass windows, numerous works of art, and the tomb that is reported to contain the remains of Christopher Columbus. Inside the Cathedral you can visit the Sacristy of the Chalices and the Royal Chapel.

Adjacent to the Cathedral is the Giralda. This iconic Moorish minaret tower has come to symbolize Seville and is the only part that remains from the Great Mosque. Follow the 35 ascending ramps inside the Giralda (there are no stairs) to the top of the tower, and from there you can enjoy the breathtaking views of this enchanting city.

• Avenida de la Constitución s/n
• Phone: (95) 456 31 50
• Sevilla, Spain
• Website: Catedral de Sevilla

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Sites to See…The Alhambra and the Generalife, Granada (Spain)

No visit to Granada would be complete without touring the Alhambra palace that sits atop a hillside overlooking the city.

Built in the 14th C. as the primary residence of the Nasrid Sultans, it is one of the most famous examples of Moorish architecture, and the most popular tourist attraction in all of Spain.

Set aside a few hours to visit the various parts of the palace, including the Alcazaba (military fortress), the Palacios Nazaríes (Nasrid Palaces), and the Generalife Palace and Gardens. The Alcazaba provided defense for the royal family, and is the oldest part of the complex, dating from the 9th C.

You will marvel at the handiwork of the Moorish craftsmen that produced the most exquisitely decorated function rooms, courtyards, fountains and patios found in the Palacios Nazaríes. The smaller Generalife Palace served as the summer retreat from the main palace, and is known for its lush gardens.

Tickets for the Alhambra can be bought at the ticket office, but due to the high demand for tickets and the restricted number of visitors allowed per day, advance ticket purchase is recommended.

For more information on types of tickets available and for online purchase of tickets, visit Turismo de Granada.
Patronato de la Alhambra y el Generalife

• C/ Real de la Alhambra s/n
• Granada, Spain
• Phone: (902) 441 221
• Website: La Alhambra y el Generalife

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Sites to See – Santuário Bom Jesús do Monte, Braga (Portugal)

The city of Braga has had a long-standing importance as a religious capital. This is evidenced by the nearly three dozen churches you will find, one of which is the Cathedral of Braga. The Cathedral was begun in 1070 and is the Portugal’s oldest church.

An important pilgrimage site in Braga is Bom Jesús do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount), which was begun in 1722 and is located just 5 km east of the city center. Considered one of the masterpieces of European Baroque style, its centerpiece is the hilltop granite double staircase lined with chapels representing the Stations of the Cross, the Stairway of the Five Senses, and the Stairway of the Three Virtues (Faith, Hope and Charity). Sitting atop the staircase is the twin-towered neoclassical church that was begun in 1784.

Visitors can make the 381 ft. climb on foot, or you can follow the pilgrims’ tradition of ascending on your knees. There is also an old-fashioned funicular that will take you to the top of the hill, which was the first to be built in the Iberian Peninsula and is still in use today. The views of the city below from the hilltop are quite stunning. For more information on the city, click here.

• N103-3 (5 km east of Braga)
• Phone: (25) 367 66 36

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Sites to See…Royal Equestrian School, Jerez, Spain

 



Be sure to include in your Jerez itinerary a visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, which is comparable to the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria.

Located adjacent to the historic 19th century Palacio de las Cadenas, visitors can watch the world-renowned "dancing stallions" at either one of the riding shows that take place twice a week, or at one of the training sessions held throughout the week. Besides taking in an equestrian show, visitors can also tour the facilities, including the Stables, Harness Shop, Carriage Museum, and Equestrian Art Museum.

• Avda. Duque de Abrantes, s/n
• Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
• Phone: (956) 318-014
• Website: Equestrian School

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Sites to See…Museo del Grabado, Marbella (Spain)

The Museo del Grabado is a contemporary art museum that showcases a fine collection of engravings and graphic art. It is located in the old section of Marbella, and is housed in a restored 16th C. building that was formerly the Hospital Bazán.

The exhibitions cover a wide range of some of the best Spanish art in the print medium. The collections contain everything from 15th-century engravings, to works by internationally renowned artists such as Picasso, Dalí, Tàpies and Miró.

Hospital Bazán, s/n             Phone: (952) 765-741

Marbella, Spain                  Web: Museo del Grabado 

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Sites to See…Cathedral of Évora (Portugal)

The Cathedral of Évora was built in the 12th C. and is the largest cathedral in Portugal. It is located in the heart of this beautiful city – a city that is so full of well-preserved monuments, it is no wonder that UNESCO designated Évora a World Heritage Site.

The exterior is a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The well preserved 14th C. cloisters are picturesque and include statues of the Evangelists. The Sacred Art Museum houses the treasures from the church, which include its most precious item, a 13th C. ivory Virgin that opens to reveal intricately carved scenes from her life.

Near the Cathedral is Évora's most famous landmark, the Temple of Diana, dating from the 2nd C. It is one of the Iberian Peninsula's best preserved Roman monuments, with 14 of its 18 original Corinthian columns still intact.

Largo Marqués de Marialva           Phone - (26) 675 93 30
Évora, Portugal

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Sites to See…Picasso Museum, Barcelona (Spain)

A visit to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona is essential to understanding the formative years of this iconic artist.

The permanent collection includes over 3,800 of his works, with a concentration on his early production. Half of the collection was donated by Picasso’s personal secretary, Jaume Sabartés, with the other half coming from the artist’s own collection.

The Picasso Museum is housed in five palaces that date from the 13th-15th centuries. It is located in the Gothic Quarter, just a short walk from the Cathedral.

• C/ Montcada, 15-23
• Barcelona, Spain
• Phone: (93) 256 30 00
• Website: Picasso Museum

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Sites to See...Igreja de São Francisco, Porto (Portugal)

Built between 1383 and 1410, the Church of St. Francis was constructed in a Gothic style, and was transformed with Baroque decoration in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The church's ordinary-looking Gothic exterior belies what you will find once you step inside, which is the most extraordinary church interior in Porto, and unquestionably one of the most lavish church interiors in all of Europe.

Rua do Infante D. Henrique                Phone: (222) 006 493
Porto, Portugal

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Next Stop...Palacio Real de la Granja, Segovia (Spain)

 

 

 

 

 

If you are planning a day trip to Segovia, be sure to include in your itinerary a stop in the town of La Granja de San Idelfonso to see the Royal Palace of La Granja. It is located about 15 minutes southeast of Segovia, or about an hour drive north of Madrid.

La Granja was the summer palace of the Bourbon kings. It was built from 1719-1739 by Philip V, the grandson of Louis XIV, who attempted to replicate the grandeur of his birthplace, Versailles. The word granja means farm, and there was once a farm on the site of the palace. Visitors to La Granja can tour the palace and gardens, and see a collection of antiques, paintings, and an impressive collection of Flemish tapestries.

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Sites to See...Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago (Spain)

Overlooking the Plaza del Obradoiro in the heart of the old town is the majestic Catedral de Santiago, which was completed in 1211. The Cathedral is the largest Romanesque church in Spain, and one of the largest in Europe.

The Cathedral is the destination point for the millions of pilgrims who follow the Way of St. James each year, a route that begins in France and traverses northern Spain. They make the pilgrimage to visit the Cathedral, which holds what are believed to be the remains of the Apostle St. James. Legend has it that St. James’ remains were brought back to Galicia in 44 AD, after he was beheaded in Jerusalem. For more information click here

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Next Stop...Queluz (Portugal)

 

 

 

Only 20 minutes northwest of Lisbon is the town of Queluz. It makes a perfect day trip out of Lisbon and is easily accessed by car, train or bus. When you arrive, head straight for the Queluz Palace.

In the early 1800s the town's proximity to Lisbon and pristine country setting made it the perfect location for the royal family's estate and hunting lodge. In the latter part of the century the country estate was converted into a grander Summer Palace by the Infante Dom Pedro, and was the home of Queen Maria I during her reign. Today the Summer Palace and its gardens remain one of the finest examples of late 18th C. Portuguese architecture; it is often referred to as the "Portuguese Versailles." For more information on the Palace click here

If you would like to experience what it was like to stay in one of these fine buildings firsthand, you now can, as one of the buildings on the palace grounds once used by the Royal Guard of the Court is now a hotel - the Pousada de Queluz (Dona Maria I). For more information on the Pousada click here

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Next Stop...El Escorial (Spain)

El Escorial is a great place to visit if you are looking for a day trip outside of Madrid. Located about an hour’s drive northwest of Madrid, the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a royal site that functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum and school.

The monastery was commissioned by Felipe II in 1563 and was completed in just 21 years. It contains the Panteón de los Reyes (Royal Pantheon), which is the burial site for most of the Spanish kings of the last five centuries. You can also visit the Royal Library that houses a priceless collection of 60,000 volumes, the Philip II Apartments, and the Basilica of San Lorenzo el Real. For more information from the tourist office of San Lorenzo click here.

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Next Stop...Chinchón (Spain)

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re looking to get away from Madrid and want to find a place that you can experience a true Castilian town, then head to Chinchón. Located just 35 minutes southeast of Madrid, this charming town has managed to maintain its charm despite its proximity to the country’s capital.

Once you arrive, head straight to the Plaza Mayor, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world due to its structural harmony and proportions. This picturesque square is surrounded by three- and four-story houses built in the 15th-17th that have wooden balconies. Sit at one of the outdoor cafes and take in the beauty of this square, and leave some time in your itinerary to enjoy a traditional Castilian meal at one of the many fine restaurants in town. Be sure to try the Anís de Chinchón, which is an aniseed liqueur the dates back to the 17th C and is consumed as a drink, or is used as an ingredient in sweets and cakes. For more information on Chinchón click here

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Sites To See...Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Lisbon (Portugal)

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a must see for visitors to Lisbon.  The monastery was started by the order of Manuel I (1515-1521) and was meant to commemorate Vasco da Gama's voyage to India and his successful return.  Vasco da Gama, along with other great figures in Portuguese history, are entombed at the monastery.

The monastery is located in the Belém district, and is considered to be one of the most important sites in the city.  In 1983 it was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with the nearby Belém Tower.  The monastery is easily reached via the tram no. 15E.  For more information on Mosteiro dos Jerónimos click here

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Next Stop...Montserrat (Spain)

Make sure you visit this Benedictine monastery, which sits atop a 4,000 foot high mountain and is famous for the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat (the Black Virgin), the patron saint of Cataluña. You can visit the monastery as a day trip from Barcelona, as it is only 35 miles NW of Barcelona. For more information on monastery click here

The monastery is also well known for the Escolanía de Montserrat choir school, which dates back to the 13th century. The choir consists of boys who are from Cataluña and range in age from 9 to 14, and are either sopranos or altos.  The choir performs Monday through Saturday at 1:00pm, and Sundays at 12:00pm. For more information on choir click here

When visiting Montserrat don't forget to make some time to visit the Museum of Montserrat, as it has many fine works of art, including works by artists such as El Greco, Picasso, Dalí, and many many more! For ticket information click here

Did you know…the monastery's publication company has the oldest printing press in the world; the first book was published in 1499 and the press is still in use today.

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Sites to See...Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid (Spain)

This magnificent museum features the greatest artists of the 20th century. Many visitors come for iconic works by Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. In fact, the Reina Sofia houses Picasso's Guernica - arguably his most esteemed painting. Also feel free to peruse the extensive library collection. Discover Spain's sublime contributions to 20th century art and learn about the works of the masters. Click here for their website

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