Santa María del Naranco, Oviedo, Spain

For many years, I looked at photos of Santa María del Naranco, the church that stands on a hill a few miles outside of Oviedo, Spain. It’s not the grandest of buildings but it does represent a significant example of pre-Romanesque architecture.

Santa María del Naranco, Oviedo, Spain.

Santa María del Naranco, Oviedo, Spain.

It was build in the 800’s, and to have remained standing all these years is testament to the ingenuity of it’s masons. The detailed carving is quite impressive as well:

Detail of entrance to Santa María del Naranco, Oviedo, Spain.

Detail of entrance to Santa María del Naranco, Oviedo, Spain.

When you visit this site, wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water. The climb from the parking lot to the church is a steep grade over a paved path. The view from this hill can be astounding on a clear day as you see from the panoramic photo below. Click on it for full size:

View from Santa María del Naranco, Oviedo, Spain.

View from Santa María del Naranco, Oviedo, Spain.

I was glad to have finally seen this place in person. It was a bit of exercise, but worth the effort. While traveling, sometimes its not the most popular or largest of site, but rather the smaller more poignant ones that make the biggest impression.

Published in: on July 1, 2014 at 12:26 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Santillana del Mar (2014)

Santillana del Mar is a handsome town in the north of Spain where you’ll find a number of attractions. It’s a tourist spot to be sure, with the Altamira Caves, a zoo, and the Collegiate Church among the many attractions. Here’s a look at the plaza mayor:

Plaza Mayor of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Plaza Mayor of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Notice those flowers on the balcony. Some of the homes here have an almost Alpine quality to them. The winding streets lead past the gift shops to a number of very good restaurants and bars:

Streets of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Streets of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Everything is neat and tidy, amazingly clean for the number of people that pass through here. Don’t miss the views from the edge of town. As you see in the next photo, things are beautiful:

View from the edge of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

View from the edge of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

As many people visit the area, most are from Spain. Visitors from the USA often forgo a stop here for other destinations. However, if you’re looking to delve deeper in the culture, I suggest a jaunt through northern Spain to places like this where you’ll encounter a robust and welcoming culture all its own.

Published in: on June 28, 2014 at 12:16 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain

The Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar was built by the Augustinians who took over a former Benedictine monastery. In this first photo, you see the lines of the main structure built in the Romanesque style:

Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Surely in it’s time, it was an imposing building and it still dominates the town today. Going inside the grounds, you’ll find a very pleasant cloister.

View from inside the cloister at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

View from inside the cloister at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

The columns in this cloister are carved with various religious symbols.

Column detail at Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Column detail at Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

And many are covered with vines.

Another view in the cloister of the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Another view in the cloister of the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Going into the church itself you find an impressive altar piece from the 15th century depicting the martyrdom of Saint Juliana.

15th Century altar piece at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

15th Century altar piece at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

As well as this stone tomb for the saint’s remains:

Saint Juliana at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Saint Juliana at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Not to mention a powerful set of pipes for the organ:

Organ pipes at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Organ pipes at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

The walk through this church is a step back in time. Within its cool environs you’ll find a sense of dignity and piety that may be lacking at times in larger, busier cathedrals. As always, enter with respect and take your time to absorb the many details that fill this holy place.

 

Published in: on June 27, 2014 at 10:04 am  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hotel Marques de Riscal, bar

Hotel Marques de Riscal, located in Elciego, Spain, is quite a sight to see. There’s also a bar there where you can taste various wines and enjoy the surroundings. Here’s a look at the bar itself:

Interior of the bar at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Interior of the bar at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

And here’s a small selection of wines available:

Wines available at the bar in the Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Wines available at the bar in the Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Naturally, you’ll want to have a little snack with your wine, and here’s a good example:

Snacks with wine at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Snacks with wine at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

There’s comfortable banquet seating on the other side of the room with evidence of past enjoyment on the wall.

A wall of wine at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

A wall of wine at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Plenty of bottles there! You may want to step out to the terrace for a view of the town of Elciego and the adjacent vineyards as you see in the next photo:

Terrace at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Terrace at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

If you’re passing through the La Rioja region of Spain, this is a must see place. Take the tour of the “Ciudad de Vino,” have a glass on wine, and make the most of it.

 

Published in: on June 24, 2014 at 9:35 am  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »