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Churches and
monasteries in Spain
A new page with only churches and monasteries of Spain, just for a
better overal view of them. But I realise, that our love for Spain -
especially in fall and late winter, also for the mild climate and
beautiful landscapes - will bring us many new albums with the
cultural beauty of Spain. We'll see. Also on Tenerife and La Palma there
are interesting churches and some cathedrals.
Regional there
are differences in architecture and styles. In the northern parts of
Spain there are numerous old romanesque churches and monasteries.
Catalonia more than 800 (!).Even pre-romanesque ones from the time of
the Visigoths, that invaded Spain since the 5th century. And from the
8th century the islamic Moors occupied almost entirely the Iberic
Peninsula. Then the 'Reconquista' started to reconquer Spain from north
to south till in 1492 as last city Granada in Andalusia was christian
again. So we will find hardly or none Romanesque church in southern
Spain. What happended many times, is that churches were buil on mosques,
like the largest gothic cathedral of the world in Sevilla, built from
1401 on. The church tower 'Giralda' is still a mosque tower.
Now - it would go beyond the
meaning of this website to memorize the whole architecture history of
Spain, which is very interesting!! You can find a short review of it in
the magnificent travel guides of the 'Eyewitness travel guides' - also
known as 'Capitool' guides in other languages.
My plans for the (near) future are,
to visit the northern provinces of Spain, Galicia, Navarra and Aragon.
And more extensively Catalonia. Also for the beautiful landscapes. Not
only the big cathedrals, but also the mostly small romanesque churches
are worth a visit.
Nowadays many people
regard the religious heritage as a 'relic' from the past. In our modern
present times we see a 'going down' of the churches themselves. But I
see this as a sign of emptyness of our western culture and society. We
renovate more or less churches as cultural heritage, but meanwhile we
fill up ourselves wilth 'emptyness'.
An empty moral, filled with the opinion of the majority. Empty public
treasuries, filled with 'debts for the future'. 'Baked air', not only of
bankers but all who have just one goal in life "filling the own
purse and pocket". Earning money and spending it determine social
wellfare...
Well - this is what I have to
say about this subject. Very up-to-date these days. We have freedom of
expression, especially for those, whom we don't agree with. Tolerance is
something to do....!
I wish all of you, visitors of my
website a lot of joy with my many albums. As much as I had with seeing
it all and trying to make good pictures!!
Just see for instance the capitals and columns of the monastery of
'Santa Maria de
L'Estany' north of Barcelona, or the impressive church and
monastery of the 'Sant Pere de Rodes', in the northern part of the
Costa Brava. Fall 2010. And more is coming...
Like early spring 2011 the churches of the city Orihuela south of Alicante
on the Costa Blanca. And what to think of the monastery complex of the 'Santa Maria de
Valldigna' in Simat in the northern part of the Costa Blanca.
Architectonic jewels you just must see!!
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'Would
there be houses, if there were no people - and people if
there was no Creator?' |
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