Exploring history in London & abroad with my camera
The town of Baiona in Galicia has a long and very varied history! We only had two days so it was a very brief 'dip' into the area and its history. 140BC is the founding date of the town. It was subsequently conquered and held by the Romans, the Visigoths, and the Arabs. Then in…
The Cathedral in Santillana del Mar is astonishing! The town is a short hop from Santander and a busy tourist town. But wander down the high street and suddenly you arrive at a Cathedral! The Exterior of the Cathedral A Benedictine Monastery c. 870 was the first religious establishment in Santillana del Mar. Nothing remains…
A wonderful visit to Northern Spain, exploring towns, villages and back roads, was coming to a close. Three days in Oviedo just wasn't enough but it was time to move on. We decided our road from Oviedo to Santillana del Mar would be the inland road, rather than the coastal motorway, because we thought it…
There are six World Heritage Sites in Oviedo which is an extraordinary number and during our three days we saw four of the sites. All are unmissable. They are Santa Maria del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo (mid 9C), San Julian de los Prados (8C-9C), the Camara Santa in the Cathedral of San Salvador…
Beautiful plazas, or squares, link the streets in Oviedo. Sometimes they are bustling with people, sometimes peaceful, and sometimes deserted. They are always fascinating! Plaza de Espana The Plaza de Espana was close to our hotel and I walked through this little square and its garden every day. Government buildings surround the square today but…
The Museum of Fine Arts in Oviedo opened in 1980. Its huge collection of c.10,000 pieces is spread over four buildings next to the Cathedral, in the old town. Old buildings have been restored to house the collections and it is a fascinating museum to visit. Facades of the Museum of Fine Arts The House…
There are nearly one hundred statues in Oviedo, placed throughout the town. I wasn't aware of this initiative in Oviedo which doesn't seem to be very well advertised. So, as I walked around Oviedo I was delighted to find these contemporary statues. I saw just a few of many in the city, and sadly I…
The Calatrava building in Oviedo is extraordinary, wonderful, exciting! The Palace of Exhibitions and Congresses is also, it seems, a nightmare! Santiago Calatrava (1951-) is an extraordinary architect, engineer and artist who creates exciting public projects which also excite controversy. Because of the innovative designs his projects are often problematic and frequently run over time…
The Parador in Baiona, Conde de Gondomar, is a magical place to stay for a few days - an elegant hotel inside the walls of the old Fortress of Monterreal, and on a promontory in a bay. The Count of Gondomar The Parador is named after Don Diego Sarmiento de Acuña (1567-1626) was the first Count…
I only had three days in Oviedo but wanted to see as many parks and green spaces as I could in that time. I visited parks in all the Spanish cities in which we stayed and I think the beautiful park of San Francisco in Oviedo was the most beautiful and a wonderful 'entry' into…
