Spain's 1978 constitution expressed the "indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation." As the most prosperous section of the country, with its own long, proud history, Catalonians have long pressed for autonomy or independence. This poster is clear!
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Andres Segovia (guitar) serenades Pablo Casals (cell). Both pioneered major musical innovations in their lifetime. This comes from a massive mural covering the entire side of a building.
This well-known wall displays Barcelona natives known internationally for their achievements - an important part of Catalonian nationalism
A bright summer day is guaranteed to bring potential shoppers - so use the sidewalk for displaying goods
Large mosaic salamander fountain, designed by Gaudi
One of the best-known sights of the Park Güell is this fountain and its side pools
Bars in the early 20th century were often decorated in an exhuberant manner, reflecting the optimism of the pre-WW1 era
One of the best-known sights of the Park Guell is this fountain and its side pools
Bar mural with tandem bicycle racer, Els Quatre Gats (artist = Ramon Casas)
One of Europe's favorite sports is bicycle riding. The Catalan inscription reads, "To pedal a bike you can't sit upright." The implication is that the person who's bent over (the artist himself) is the one doing all the work, while the one sitting up straight is just going along for the ride.
Gaudi's gift for color and eye-catching design shows well here
These classic Doric columns contrast starkly with the colorful curving mosaic benches above
From any angle, the Guell Palace (at the Park's downhill entrance) defies architectural orthodoxy as of the early 20th century
Graceful curves and bright colors make Park Güell's benches memorable
Almost anywhere one looks in this park, unusual Gaudi-designed buildings are in sight
On this sunny early June day, people flock to the park, enjoying views over whole city
The brilliant color of oleander shrubs complements Gaudi's ornate stonework
Bar mural with 1920's car, Els Quatre Gats (artist = Ramon Casas)
This striking work of art celebrates Barcelona's open spirit before the disastrous Civil War and the adventurous nature of auto travel ~1910
Barcelona's many artists find inexpensive exhibition space in the park
Gaudi's irrepressible inventiveness can be seen all through the Park Guell, as in this bridge loosely echoing palm trees in the park itself
This sign, written in Catalan, tells owners to curb their dogs and use 'pipicans' instead
Catalan music/musicians honored in architecture and tile
Barcelona counts scores of famous musicians, including Isaac Albeniz, Enrich Granados, Pablo Casals, Alicia de Larroccha or Jose Carreras
The heroic statue shows how Catalonian architects broke from tradition in the early 20th century
Antonio Gaudi designed the world-famous Park Guell, overlooking the heart of the city. Many benches are decorated with mosaics
This apartment façade can be seen as a nonsensical mishmash of styles, an architecture snubbing contemporary style for humor, or whatever
Faux caryatids, Barcelona apartment house
The architect has playfully mixed fairly orthodox brickwork with early 20th century conceptions of Greek classical columns
Echoes of Spain's one-time empire and 19th-century views about race are evident in this sidewalk poster
The intricate carving of this balcony shows Barcelona's affluence
Probably dating from the first quarter of the 20th century, this canopy combines both the Barcelona free spirit and classicdesign
Barcelona apartment facades along major street
Whimsical architecture by Antonio Gaudi (designer of this apartment building and the globally-noted cathedral) mark Barcelona
Different ways of living intersect at this Toledo sidewalk café.
This grand late 19th-century hotel has kept original furniture as part of its period charm
The pastry chef's artistry is evident here
Barcelona's prosperity and love of the arts show in these luxury apartments
Elaborate overhead light, Barcelona street
Architecturally, Barcelona is one of the world's most fascinating cities. Along major streets, one can see fanciful fronts of apartment buildings, benches and the like
Modern sculpture and pedestrians are sheltered from sun and rain by street coverings
This fortified castle, possibly dating back to the 13th century, would have enabled defenders to hold back other forces
Given Spain's high plains (the country's average altitude is 660 meters, over 2100', one of Europe's highest), windmills to generate electricity are common. Ditto for the giant bull, advertising a popular brand of sherry
Echoes of Spain's one-time empire and 19th-century views about race are evident in this bar's marquee
A broad sidewalk and occasional shade draw visitors wanting to walk around this walled city
The dry hillsides around the city contrast with the green plantings inside it
The décor and drinks may change, but bartenders around the world face similar issues of boredom when customers aren't around
A view of Toledo, Spain, showing major public buildings
The city of Toledo spreads across the rocky promontory
Located above an easily-defensible bend in the Tagus River, the city of Toledo remains one of the most historic and picturesque towns in Spain. The most massive building, the Alcázar, dominates the cityscape.
Urban growth means the medieval city has spread beyond its earlier defensive walls
The Alcazar (fortified castle) dominates the city; note its strategic position.
Shaded gardens provide needed shelter from the early summer sun.
The artist keeps a wide assortment of pigments ready for use
A contemporary Spanish painter in his showroom
These fortifications illustrate why Toledo occupied a strategic position for centuries
Toledo, partly encircled by the river, holds a strong defensive position, accounting for its early settlement and role in Spanish history
Centrally located in Spain just south of Madrid, Toledo became famous as a meeting place for Islamic, Catholic and Jewish leaders, and as the home of the artist El Greco. It was conquered by Romans ~179 BCE
The shop owner has displayed a variety of locally-made products
Bar owners try to attract customers with plastic displays of this sort
Because of potential danger to mortar in old buildings, plants must be removed
Because of intense summer heat, narrow streets may have canopies placed over them
From ancient music to lace: Toledo offers many attractions for visitors
How many travelers return home with an animal haunch or two as a souvenir?
Passengers prepare to board Spanish express
Major European cities are linked by express trains such as these
Carved relief and colored tiles on Alhambra interior surfaces
Decorative carvings cover archways, with tiles along walls
Contrasted with clear pools inside the Alhambra, this is marked by lily pads
While bright sun illuminates the city, the interior remains dark and cool
A lovely setting in which to rest and look
Alhambra exterior walls and view of Granada
The Alhambra occupies one hilltop of the city. Its lovely gardens complement the one-time castle
The Alhambra occupies one hilltop of the city
Trees provide some shade in the summer Spanish sun
This European-style garden complements the interior beauty of the Alhambra
Irving's 'Tales of the Alhambra' helped lead to much wider recognition of its beauty
Extensively decorated portal and walls, Alhambra
Bright summer light streams into this large ceremonial room, with multiple decorations
Even the ceilings display superior artistry
Court of Lions, Alhambra, with numerous columns
In this world-famous site, this Court stands out. Visitors approach it through rooms decorated with elaborately-carved columns
Geometric decorations mark the entire surface of this walkway beside the Court of Lions
Built between 1362 and 1391, this courtyard has been placed among UNESCO's World Heritage sites
Muslim artists and architects constructed arcades to provide summer shade
High interior walls and geometric tiles keep this large public space cool in the hot Spanish summers
Intricate stone carving and tiles mark this formal entrance
To provide tranquillity and beauty, Muslim architects incorporated reflecting pools into major structures
This call to prayer shows the religious foundation of 14th-century power
Visitors to the Alhambra find beauty in the capitals of columns and wall tiles
Note the stylized Arabic writing, which reminds visitors of the glory of the All-Powerful
The regional hierachy's colors of green, white and yellow reflect Andalusia's robust olive industry. Green was also in standard use by the Umayyad Caliphate of the medieval period.
In Andalusia, snow-capped mountains rest alongside dark pine forests and peaceful olive groves.
Spain's agriculture has become increasingly concentrated, with industrial-scale production, as witness these groves
Clipped hedges complement the towering walls of the Alhambra
View of city of Granada from 14th-century fortress
These thick walls protected the fortress for centuries
Although constructed by Muslim rulers, some parts of the Alhambra include Christian symbols such as this statue
In Tales of the Alhambra (1832), American author Washington Irving's essays captured attention for this centuries-old fortress/palace complex. While writing the Tales, Irving lived in the Alhambra. Additional plaques mark the rooms in which he stayed.
The Ziri walls of Granada, Spain were built in the 800s CE.
Olive groves and rocky hill, southern Spain
Andalusia is an historically important location, but is still vital today as Spain's breadbasket and seaport region, as most of the Atlantic shore of the Iberian peninsula is sovereign under Portugal.
The interior of Andalusia is the hottest part of Spain. Its annual temperature averages over 36 degrees Celsius, or 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the region can become very sparse and dry without rain.
Andalusia, the southernmost region of Spain, is primarily an agricultural region, and has enjoyed that status for many centuries. Many of its exports are unique and cannot be found anywhere else on earth.