The Old and New Cathedrals of Salamanca Salamanca has a rarity: two cathedrals. And the two sit side-by-side, allowing you to visit both with one ticket (they’re actually interconnected so you just walk out of one into the other). You can even explore the roofs of the two Cathedrals. I cover all the above in […]
Burgos Cathedral – one of Spain’s Top Cathedrals
Burgos Cathedral – one of Spain’s Top Cathedrals Burgos Cathedral has the distinction of being the only Cathedral in Spain to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site independently from the historic center of the city it is located in. I’ve previously described Burgos Cathedral as being “filthy” in its opulence. It’s gross in […]
Why Ávila Cathedral is one of my favorite Cathedrals in Spain
Ávila Cathedral is Spain’s oldest Gothic Cathedral. Construction started in 1091 but wasn’t completed until the 14th century. It is very different from the lofty, glamourous Cathedrals of nearby Segovia and Salamanca which were built in the late Gothic period (16th century). It also predates other early Gothic Cathedrals such as the Cathedral of Burgos (1221 – […]
What to see in Ávila (Spain)
Ávila is a popular daytrip from Madrid, a city full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Historically, Ávila was a battlefront between Christians and Moors. Following the reconquest of the area by the Christians in the late 11th century, it became known as Ávila de los Caballeros (“Ávila of the Nobles”) because of the settlement of […]
The Alcázar of Segovia – one of Spain’s most beautiful castles
The Alcázar of Segovia – one of Spain’s most beautiful castles The Alcázar of Segovia (ie. Fortress of Segovia) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the highlights of Segovia. It is one of Spain’s most impressive castles and, interestingly enough, it is also one of the castles* that inspired the design of Cinderella’s Castle […]
Visiting the beautiful city of Burgos
Visiting the beautiful city of Burgos Burgos is a historic city, having been the capital of the unified kingdom of Castile and León for five centuries. It has one of Spain’s Top 10 Cathedrals and is also an important stop on the Camino de Santiago (the Way of Saint James in English), the pilgrimage trail […]