Trying to cycle through El Rocio is not an easy feature. With its dusty sandy roads, a horse would probably have been easier than a fully loaded bicycle.
And those horses seem to be the main means of transport. Most of the houses have beautiful verandas and in front of them you will find wooden rails used for tying up horses. El Rocio is located in the south of the province of Huelva and forms the gateway to the Donana National Park. On this particular day in early June, the village had a deserted feel to it with only the odd horse and rider crossing the street. But don't be fooled, where most of the year, the village is quiet, but 50 days after Easter, "Romeria" takes place. During this religious fiesta, a million pilgrims decent upon the village travelling in groups known as religious confraternities. The goal of every pilgrim is to touch the Virgin Mary who is paraded around the huge sandy square for over 12 hours. Many of the pilgrims belong to a particular "brotherhood" of which there are around a 100 in Andalucia, each representing a town or city. Each brotherhood has its own sacred ox cart (Simpecado) that will lead the pilgrims to El Rocio, turning the village in a colourful and noisy fiesta. But on this particular day in early June, it was me on my bike and maybe another 100 villagers. So what is there to do in El Rocio ?
a) Visit the impressive Hermitage of El Rocio, home to the smallcarved wooden statue of the Virgin of El Rocio b) Visit the Donana Natural Park. As Spain's largest wetland area, it is home to thousands of storks, swans and flamingos. The park is also home to the endangered Iberian lynx. From the village promenade, you have brilliant views over the wetlands. As one of Europe's most beautiful and important wetlands, it brings different ecosystems (marshland, lagoons, pine groves, beaches,...) to the many visitors. If you want to venture further into the park, you can book jeep or bus trips that bring you deeper into the park. C) Chozo El Toruno. In Plaza del Acebuche, you find one of the last huts that were entirely built with local plant materials like chestnut,... For the night , I stayed at Palacio Donana, a comfortable hotel. Keep in mind that throughout the year, it is easy enough to find accommodation in El Rocio, but during Romeria, beds are booked up months in advance.
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The smal fishing town of Llastres lies in a stunning setting. Wedged between the mountains and the sea, this Asturian town is considered one of Spain's most beautiful villages.
The towns is build upon a slope and each of Llastres steep streets provides you with stunning views across the sea. And it's the sea that has made Llastres into what it is today, a village famous for its fishing activity. Once a town dedicated to whale fishing, the hustle and bustle of the port is worthwhile to watch. Where the fishermen are preparing their boats or bringing in the catch of the day, once the fish is landed in the port, it will go on sale in a popular auction that happens daily in the fish market. And with fresh fish landing every day, it isn't hard to see why Llastres is also famous for its excellent seafood cuisine. With plenty of restaurants and cider bars, you're spoiled for choice.
Llastres has a spectacular old quarter with cobbled streets that are lined with simple fishermen's houses, but also palaces and emblazoned houses. There is the old whaler's quarter, the Clock tower and Church of Santa Maria de Sabada. The clock tower (Torre del Reloj) fulfilled the functions of being a watchtower and belfry. Where the natural beauty of the coastline draws many tourists, it is also known as the "Dinosaur coast". The local geological formation presents a high abundance of dinosaur remains, and many dinosaur footprints can be observed along this coastline.
For the night, I had opted to stay at hotel Lastres Miramar, a 2-star hotel that provided me with a brilliant room and a brilliant dinner and breakfast. A special mention is the stunning terras of the restaurant. Overhanging a cliff, it provides guests with stunning views of the coastline and a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy the delicious food.
I opted for the cheese table followed by beautiful prepared Merluza. So, if you find yourself in Asturias, I would highly recommend a detour to this beautiful fishing village. When there is wine tasting to be done, we love to be there. And on this particular day, we found ourselves in Funchal, Madeira. And what better opportunity than learn all about the famous Madeira wine, and off course taste a few during the course of the day. Blandy's wine lodge (www.Blandyswinelodge.com) is located in a historical building in the centre of Funchal. After having purchased our tickets, we proceeded with a guide to the magnificent Canteiro ageing rooms where we admired the old casks filled to the rim with Madeira wine. before we tell you more about the tour, let's first tell a little bit more about Madeira wine. What is Madeira wine? Madeira wine is a fortified wine that is produced in a variety of styles ranging from dry wines which can be consumed on their own as an aperitif to sweet wines that are paired with desserts. The history of Madeira wine. Where Madeira has a long winemaking history, Madeira was a popular port of call during the Age of Exploration. When wine was taken onboard the ships travelling on long sea voyages, neutral grape spirits were added to stop the wine from spoiling. The wine onboard the ships was exposed to excessive heat and movement which transformed the flavour of the wine. this was the start of the wine making process that is still used today, basically oxidizing the wine through heat and ageing. Now that we have dug into the history of Madeira wine, let's talk about the different tours at offer on Blandy's wine lodge. There are 3 tours available, the lodge tour, the premium tour and the vintage tour. Each of the tours brings you to the Cooperage, Canteiro ageing rooms, vine to wine exposition, satinwood vats and tasting. With the premium tour, you also get to visit the Blandy's museum where you can admire unique items from the history of Madeira. The vintage tour will also give you access to the attics of the wine lodge where the wines are aged in the Canteiro system, you also get to admire the huge vats in the Lion's room and you get an exclusive view of the Blandy's family private collection of unique vintage wines. And to round it all off, the tasting on this tour includes one vintage Frasqueira sample. Where the younger blends are produced with artificial methods that heat and accelerate the ageing process, the older blends like Colheitas and Frasquerias are produced using the Canteiro methods. During the tour , we learned about the cooperage where local farmers sell their grapes to Blandy's , discovered the process to turn grapes into Madeira wine and got to admire the different vats and ageing process. To round it all off, we got to taste 2 different Madeira wines. And we must say, we enjoyed the tasting a lot. Afterwards, we browsed the shop in search for some special Madeira wine.
You can look for a bottle of the wine made in the year you were born,.... They also provide a great service allowing you to purchase a bottle at a reduced rate (this is as part of the entrance ticket), then pick up your bottle in the airport terminal when you head back home. Highly recommended tour if you are interested in the history of Madeira wine. On an sunny day, we decided to visit Dun Beag Fort on the Dingle peninsula. (http://dunbeagfort.com. The fort is dramatically set on a sheer cliff overlooking Dingle Bay. This promontory fort dates to 580BC and is one of the few remaining in Ireland. In County Sligo where we live, we have a few promontory forts (www.choosesligo.com/promontory-forts.html) as well , each of them balancing on the edge of a cliff surrounded by the Atlantic. When we arrived at Dun Beag fort, we bought our tickets at the small ticket office and crossed the street to the tourist shop / restaurant where we first watched a short audio-visual presentation that explained the history of the fort and what life was like for people living on the peninsula during this time. The restaurant / tourist shop deserves a noteworthy mention as well. It has a one-of-a-kind stone roof, blending it into the rugged landscape of the Dingle peninsula. A short walk towards the coastline brought us to the fort where we admired Dingle Bay. Excavations within the fort have shown that the fort was primarily occupied between the 8th and 11th Centuries AD, when it was defended by a series of ditches and earthen banks. Within those earthen banks was a substantial stone wall with on the inside steps allowing soldiers to defend the fort during an attack.
The interior of the fort contains the remains of a large stone-built beehive as well as a souterrain. It is believed that the fort was home to a local noble who ruled the surrounding villages. With the cliff edge slowly falling into the Atlantic due to erosion, the fort is getting closer and closer to the cliff edge. Hence for safety reasons, a large part of the fort can not be entered. The Museu da Baleia da Madeira (Madeira Whale museum) is located in the village of Caniçal. The village was the former centre of the whaling industry until the ban on whaling in 1981. The museum is located in a modern building on the outskirts of Canical and is home to permanent and temporary exhibitions. At the reception, you receive a headphone set which you wear throughout the exhibition. By selecting your language , you get explanation about each of the exhibits in your own language. The permanent exhibitions occupy over 1000m2 divided into the following 2 rooms: Exhibition 1: The whaling room: In this room, you are transported back to the 1940s where you get to discover the whaling industry of Madeira. The room is divided in different thematic areas ranging from the lookout network to the factory processing the whales to the different hunting techniques. Over the years, the Madeira coastal lookout network was established with the building of lookout posts along the coast of Madeira, in the Desertas Islands and the island of Porto Santo. These lookout posts allowed the full coverage of the seas of this archipelago up to 15 miles allowing them to spot whales in all directions. In the late 1940s, EBAM constructed of a modern factory which industrialized the processing of the whales. The museum has an old film showcasing the entire process, but also explaining the products that were obtained from the whales. In this room, you find 2 original whaling boats and a mosaic of 84 photographs honorring the whalers It was hard to believe that these giants were hunted with boats often much smaller than the whales themselves. In this room, you also find the harpoon tip used in John Huston's film Moby Dick with some of the scene's filmed in Caniçal with the help from the local whalers. The harpoon tip is the original one used by Gregory peck (Captain Habab) in the confrontation with Moby Dick. In the museum are also plenty of examples of Scrimshaw. Scrimshaw is scrollwork, engravings, and carvings done in bone or ivory, artwork created by the whalers engraved on the by products of the whales such as bones and cartilage. Exhibition 2: Whales around Madeira
In this exhibition, you dive into the vast sea and learn all about whales, dolphins and other sea creatures. Among the spectacular full-size models of whales, dolphins,... you can explore several stereoscopic 3D movies. Enter the submarine and dive into the vast ocean, a guaranteed hit with kids. The museum is well thought out and educates visitors on the history of whaling and how it provided a living for many families in Madeira , but it also educates us on the current treats for these majestic creatures. I found myself walking through the streets of Antequera under a scorching sun. It was early May and the temperature already hit 35 degrees Celcius.
The short walk (climb) from Plaza de San Sebastian to the Alcazabar was though going. After having cycled that morning in blistering heat from Ronda to Antequera through the stunning El torcal de Antequera natural park made famous for its unusual limestone rock formations, the first heatwave of the year took its toll. But the uphill struggle was soon forgotten when I cast my eye over beautiful Antequera. Antequera is a town much quieter than the likes of Ronda, Seville, Granada,... still so worth a visit. The historic monumental wealth can be seen all over the town, from the many churches and convents to the palaces. Then there is the impressive Alcazabar that with its strategic position overlooks the town and provides stunning views all across the area.
Just outside Arco de los Gigantes, I bought my entrance ticket for the Alcazabar. Here you can also pick up a handheld audio guide in various languages (Options are English, Spanish, French, Italian and German). Guided tours are also available, but I opted for the self-guided tour. Arco de los Gigantes: The Arco de los Gigantes is situated at the entrance to the ancient Arab medina and route to the souk. The outside of the Arch bears the coat of arms of Fernando I, featuring the lion, the castle and stargazer lilies. Entering the Alcazaba is done by entering the Puerta de la Alcazaba, the outermost gate of the complex. Alcazaba:
When entering the Alcazaba, you will get a feel for the cheer size of the Moorish Fortress. The fortress covers an area of 62000 sqm and was originally part of a Roman Citadel. Throughout its 8000 years, it has been an important fortress and cultural centre. Around the Alcazaba, you can see several Roman ruins that are still being investigated, the first being Roman baths that date back to the 3rd Century AD and tombs. In the 11th century, Antequera became an important Caliphate. By the 14th Century, Christian advances from the North had reduced Al-Andalus considerably with the likes of Antequera, Ronda and Almeria defending their borders . During this era, the Alcazaba was built to counter the Christian advances from the North. The Patio de Armas isthe central square that was originally used as barracks for troops. this central square provides you with access to the different parts of the fortress.
a) Torre del Homenaje: the keep, also known as the five-cornered square because it is L-shaped, is considered to be one of the highest towers in Al-Andalus. It was here that prince Don Fernando commemorated taking Antequera. b) Templete y Chapitel: Built by the Christians, the pyramidal spire crowns the Muslim tower and houses the original bell and clock. By climbing up this tower, you will be rewarded with stunning views across Antequera and towards the Pena de los Enamorados (Rock of the lovers). The rock's profile resembles a human face and has been the subject of local legends. c) Torre Blanca: the white tower dates back to the Nazarid dynasty. The lower floor of this building was used for defense while the living quarters were above this floor. d) Mezquita y Aljibe: The ruins of the mosque and the water tank are in the central square e) Torre del Quiebro: The tower was demolished in 1510 by order of the governor of the fortress and was recently rebuilt. After an educational visit, I exited the Alcazaba and made my way over towards the Colegiate de Santa Maria la Mayor. Admission to this stunning building is included in the price
Collegiate de Santa Maria la Mayor The Royal Collegiate church is divided into three naves by the use of huge columns. The beautiful Coffered Mudejar ceiling is just a piece of artwork as is the Tabernacle chapel. Cerdo IbericoWhere I ran out of time, I didn't get the chance to visit the Antequera Dolmen Site. This complex contains three megalithic monuments: the Menga and Viera dolmens and the Tholos of the Romeral. The Mena dolmen is about 6000 years old. These importance of these three Dolmen along with El Torcal and La Pena de los Enamorados natural formations made it declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 due to its status as one of the most notable prehistoric archaeological sites in Europe
After my educational afternoon, I wanted to treat myself to a great meal. Antequera has a huge selection of restaurants and bars, and on this particular evening I opted for Abrasador Bodegas Triana. And after a day in the saddle, I was hungry. So on my own, I managed to finish a plate of pate, home made croquetas followed by Cerdo iberico. This restaurant showed me again how great Spanish Cuisine and restaurants are. Two girls managed to serve about 40 tables efficiently providing them with drinks and food all while the restaurant was fully booked... and this on an ordinary weekday. And with the high quality of the food matched with very reasonable pricing , it isn't hard to see why. Antequera is a great town to spend a few days visiting the many tourist sites and sampling the great food in the many restaurants. Getting to Sintra is easy, but once you reach the outskirts of Sintra, it is a bit of a disaster traffic wise. Traffic jams are a daily occurance, mainly because of its popularity with tourists. A better way to travel to Sintra is by the Sintra Atlantico tram which travels between Praia de Macas and Sintra.
Where the historic tram line commenced operation in 1904, the tram that nowadays operate on the line dates from the 1930s. inside the tram are all the original features, from the wooden benches to the brass dials, it is a super fun experience to travel on the tram. it's slow, it's bumpy and noisy, but climbing slowly towards Sintra from the coast, the entire 13km journey takes about 40 minutes passing through the rural area of Colares. Colares is an interesting area for winelovers. The area is famous for its sandy, phylloxera-free soils and ungrafted vines as the amazing tannic red wine it produces from the area's Ramisco grape. We took the tram during Christmas and were lucky enough to have the entire tram to ourselves with exception of the 2 drivers who juggle around sticks and pedals to bring the tram to a safe halt around the corner from the MUSA museum. It's a hassle free way of traveling to Sintra without having to find a parking spot in the busy tourism town. For more information, visit the following website: https://sintratlantico-casadoelectrico.weebly.com/ The National Palace of Mafra was proclaimed a Unesco world Heritage site in 2019, and when we visited the palace on a sunny day in January, it wasn't hard to see why.
With its imposing facade of approximately 220 meters in length, it's just monumental. In the middle is the church, built out of white marble which is symmetrically flanked on both sides by the palace. Where the wealthy king wanted to rival the splendour of Rome, he wanted a building that matched the grandeur of some of the buildings in the Vatican. The 2 towers of the church have a total of 92 church bells that were made in Antwerp, and story goes that the order was that huge that the bell-founders wanted to be paid in advance which the king did, but not only that, he doubled the amount he promised them to pay. The spacious royal apartments are located on the second floor. Where the king was located on one end of the building, his queen was on the other side of the building. The galleries connecting the living quarters of the king and queen are 232 meters in length making them the largest palatial corridors in Europe.
Walking these galleries nowadays, it is just difficult to grasp how long it must have taken to built this huge palace. Construction started actually in 1717 and went on until 1755 and it is said that the construction nearly bankrupted the entire country. The royal convent and Palace of Mafra is the most important Baroque monument in Portugal. The building covers an area of almost 37790m2 (4 hectares) , including 1200 rooms, more than 4700 doors and windows, 156 stairways and 29 inner yards. Many paintings and murals by some of Portugal's finest artists are on display around the palace. The throne room, the Guard room and the room of Goddess Diana are decorated with fabulous murals.
Another special room is the hunting trophy room where you find chandeliers made out of antlers, chairs covered in deerskin,... The highlight of this magnificent palace is the Rococo library which is located on the 2nd floor. The grandeur of this library is difficult to describe.
The library is huge, to be exact 88 meters king with the entire floor covered with rose, grey and white marble tiles. The wooden bookshelves are situated on the sidewalls containg over 36,000 leather-bound volumes. Among them are many valuable bibliographical jewels, all of them protected by homing bats. Yes, you hear that correctly, the library has a bat colony which protect the books from insect damage. The library was used in Gulliver's Travels as the great chamber of war for the Emperor of Lilliput. On a sunny day in August, we found ourselves driving along the Moy estuary in County Mayo. Our plan was to visit the stunning Franciscan Friary of Moyne that is located not to far away from the small town of Killala and close by another magnificent Friary called Rosserk Friary (https://www.outdoorfitnesssligo.com/blog/rosserk-friary-county-mayo ).
When visiting the Friary, be mindful that it is located on private land. This means you have to cross some fields where cattle might graze, so it is important to close gates,....
The Friary was founded by Mac William de Burgo in 1460 and despite its turbulent history, it kept its community of friars until the end of the 18th Century.
The enclosed cloister walkways where the friars prayed, meditated and did some monastic work, are among the finest in Ireland. The church, with its elegant bell tower, stands tall on the south side of the cloister. On the opposite site is the kitchen and refectory (dining hall) with a pulpitum (a recess where a friar stood and read aloud to his community as they were eating). On the east side of the cloister is the sacristy and the chapter house where the community met to discuss business and to read the daily chapter of the order's rule. Above the chapter house is the dormitory. On this particular day, we were driving from County Sligo to County Mayo to visit the Ceide Fields Neolithic site, an award wining heritage site located along the rugged North Mayo coastline ( https://www.outdoorfitnesssligo.com/blog/ceide-fields-neolithic-site ) We decided first to take a quick detour and visit one of Ireland's most spectacular Friaries, Rosserk Abbey. Located on the banks of the River Moy, it was built in the 15th Century by a Chieftain of the Joyces, a powerful family of Welsh origin who settled in Connacht in the 13th Century. Rosserk Friary is well preserved making it easy to imagine what life along the Moy must have been like during the years the abbey was inhabited by a community of friars from the third order of St Francis. This order existed out of married men and women who wished to lead a Franciscan life but, because of their married status, were unable to join the First Order (Friars) or Second Order (Nuns). The church, which has an attractive bell tower and a fine four-light east window, stands at the south side of the cloister. On the opposite side is the refectory or dining hall where once freshly caught salmon from the Moy would have been served. On the east side is a sacristy and chapter house with above it the dormitory. In the south-east corner of the chancel is a double piscina used for washing the vessels during the mass ceremony. It features carvings of a round tower, two angels and the instruments of the passion. Many of the large fireplaces are still present to this day. Rosserk Friary is worth the visit if you find yourself in North Mayo. Where it is one of the lesser visited monuments in ireland, it should be on your itinerary as it is one of the finest examples of a preserved Franciscan friary in Ireland.
The Plantin Moretus Museum (www.museumplantinmoretus.be) is located at the Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market) in Antwerp. The museum is the original residence and workshop of the Plantin and Moretus publishing dynasty who were world renowned for their entrepreneurial skills. Plantin moved his family to the residence in 1576 and his family lived and worked there for the next 300 years. Throughout those years, the "Gulden Compass" as the house was named changed and expanded in size to fit the ever growing business. Walking through the museum which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, you are transported back in time by about about 400 years. It is the only museum on the prestigious UNESCO world heritage list mainly because of the uniqueness of the museum. It includes a prestigious mansion, the only fully equipped printing workshop from the 16th century, the world's largest selection of Plantin and Moretus editions,... Walking through the house, you can admire the original wall coverings and creaking oak floors from the 16th century, but also the oldest printing presses in the world . Within the walls of the patrician house is a quiet garden where the noises from the city are blocked by the old buildings surrounding it. Where the bottom floor is accessible for everybody, wheelchairs won't be able to access the first floor. This floor has many floor level changes. Starting with the ground floor, it is here that you find the impressive workshop that once was the beating heart of the business. With a 56 strong workforce, it was the largest business of its kind in the world at this time. First used in 1580, it contained 16 presses. Two of the presses date back to the 16th century where the others are from the 17th and 18th century. Where the compositors would set the lead type in a composing stick to form a line, these lines would then be assembled on a sturdy board to form the page. The great library is still organised today like a private humanistic library of the 17th century, with high shelves filled with books arranged according to size, lecterns, globes and busts. The museum now contains the largest selection of Plantin and Moretus editions, many of which are on display. The old shop is another interesting part of the house. With its counter and cabinets still intact, the shop used to sell the books as loose sheets. If a customer wanted a book, then they had to bring the loose sheets to a bookbinder. Within the shop, you can still see the money scale for checking silver and gold coins. Another room that intrigued me was the room where they made the lead letters, copper plates and wooden blocks used during the printing process. Everything was managed in house in those days, although Plantin had set up an international distribution network of booksellers who would help him sell his books. But the museum offers so much more, you can admire a rich art collection that include portraits by Rubens. the museum's collection of paintings includes 71 portraits. it was Balthasar Moretus who asked his good friend Peter Paul Rubens to make portraits of his grandparents. In the upstairs rooms, you find room upon room with original books, manuscripts and original prints. Within the extensive collection are atlases, science books, almanac's and many more publications. And this extensive collection is available online. And last but not least, there is the fabulous courtyard garden. Already famous during Pantin's own time, it was frequently visited by kings, princes and prominent figures. The garden you see nowadays was created in 1992 using plants that were popular during the 16th and 17th centuries. Being a close friend to some of the greatest botanists of his day must have helped him in designing the garden. Botanists like Rembert Dodoens had their books publicized through Plantin, many which can still be admired in the museum.
Torres do Oeste is a defensive enclosure located at the head of the Rio de Arousa in the Caldas region of Galicia. Located on a rocky promontory on the banks of the river Ulla and surrounded by marshland, it used to serve as a strategic defense post against Viking attacks. King Alfonso III of Leon ordered the built of the castle in the 9th century so the river Ulla could be protected from attacks. Where the river Ulla was an important natural entry into Galicia, the castle went through strengthening works. The 2 remaining Pre-Roman style towers are from the 9th Century. In the 12th Century, bishops ordered the strengthening of the castle in order to protect the holy site of Santiago de Compostela. Located nearby Torres do Oeste is the Torres do Oeste cultural centre which is housed in a modern building designed by the award-winning architect Cesar Portela. The ground floor houses a tourist office and a spacious exhibition hall designed like a Viking longship. The exhibition tells the history of the towers, Viking attacks in Galicia,... Many artefacts are on display in the exhibition, ranging from swords to statues to armour,.... Within the basement is an audiovisual room where they screen videos of the annual Viking Festival of Catroina. The Viking Festival of Catoira is an annual festival which has been celebrated every first Sunday in August since 1961. It is held to commemorate Catoira's role in defending against the Vikings who were trying to plunder the treasure held in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. During the festival, they re-enact the Viking invasions that took place using 3 replica longboats.
These longboats are moored nearby the Torres do Oeste and are fairly reliable reproductions based on longboats that are kept in museums in Denmark and Norway. Where Catroina is off the beaten path and not frequently visited by tourists, it is worthwhile taking the detour . Arcos de la Frontera (www.turismoarcos.es) is a typical Andalucian hilltop town. Where I arrived by bike, it became apparent that you have to be prepared for some steep hills. The old town which sits on top of a dramatic cliff is reached by small steep historic streets that seemingly become narrower and narrower the further you head up the cliff. Strangely enough, local cars seem to navigate effortless between the historic houses taking sharp turns narrowly avoiding the many tables and chairs of the few restaurants. I made my way up to the historic town along the slope of Bethlehem. It was here that the Jerez gate was located, one of the three gates into the city during Moorish times. In those days, there was a fortification wall of double thickness, a moat and a drawbridge making it as good as impossible to take over the city. On the lintel was the coat of arms of Arcos which nowadays can be found on the facade of the townhall. The gate was demolished in 1852. Where Arcos de la Frontera is a lesser visited town by the many tourists visiting Andalucia, , it should be on your travel bucketlist. With many things to do and see, it makes for a worthwhile detour. Minor Basilica of Santa María de la Asunción The Gothic-Baroque church is one of Andalucia's more beautiful churches, built over several centuries on the site of a mosque. Where the original bell tower was toppled by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, a neoclassical replacement was built , but never completed. Since 1931, the building has been declared a National Monument Palacio del Mayorazgo The Palacio del Mayorazgo is a noble 17th Century building that is currently used as an exhibition center. It now houses the Municipal Department of Culture. The various rooms are dedicated to temporary or permanent exhibitions, such as the “Room of the Miller’s Wife and the Magistrate” and the “Room of Antonio the Dancer”, the “Poets and Writers Corner” or the “Victor Marín Foundation Room”. In the lower part of the Palacio are the Municipal Art Gallery and the Andalusian Garden . Iglesia de San Pedro This stunning church was built on the remains of a Muslim fortress. The church went through a few expansion projects adding a total of 6 chapels during the 16th and 17th century. The impressive facade was made in the 18th century by Manuel Gómez and Pedro de Silva in Baroque style. Structured in three sections, the first one being the entrance which is flanked by twin columns, the second one with a statue of San Pedro and the third part containing three bells. Where there are more historic buildings in Arcos de la Frontera which are worthwhile a visit, I ran out of time to cover them all. So a return trip is definitely on the cards. Where there are many hotels in Arcos de la Frontera, I stayed in the old historic part of the town. With a great selection of restaurants on your doorstep and magnificent historic buildings in the vicinity, it is highly recommended to stay a few days in Arcos de la Frontera
The Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library is located at the Hendrik Conscience square in Antwerp. (Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library | Erfgoed Hendrik Conscience (consciencebibliotheek.be) Within the library, the Nottebohm Room is a hidden gem. There is a magical feeling about this historic library space. From the moment you walk into this library, the quietness of the room is filled with the noise of the creaky parquet floor. The room's wooden bookshelves are filled with a collection of 120000 rare historical books and manuscripts. The library holds an important collection of early printed books, a collection that has grown over the course of 5 centuries. The Nottebohm room has served as a showroom since 1936 and is now open to the general public from 22nd April until the 10th September. The 17th Century in which the Nottebohm room is located in was originally used as a meeting and prayer room for religious brotherhoods. In those days, the interior was decorated with beautiful baroque paintings by Rubens and Van Dyck.
When you visit Muckross House, its gardens and the traditional farms, (https://www.muckross-house.ie/) you need to take at least a couple of hours to discover everything. We arrived just after opening hours, so it was still quiet on this particular day. After having purchased our tickets, we started off with a visit of Muckross House. Muckross House was built for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife. Building commenced in 1839 and was completed in 1843. Where it took 4 years to complete the house, it is a reasonable timeframe if you think there are 65 rooms in the house. Walking through the house, we admired the principal rooms which are furnished in period style portraying the elegant lifestyle of the 19th century landowning class. From the plethora of mounted trophy heads of deer to the china on display, the house its interior is outstanding. Even nicer are the stunning views of Killarney National Park through the many windows. The servants wing of the house is extensive, and we can only imagine how many servants must have worked on the estate to After the house and the gardens, we headed to the traditional farms. We stepped back in time and visited the Ireland of the 1930s and 1940s. While walking through the fields, we reached the first farm. In the park, you can visit three seperate working farms (small, medium and large), each of them complete with animals, poultry and machinery. Within each of the farms was somebody available to explain what life was like working the land, cooking above an open fire,...Those long gone days were filled with a walk to the local well to collect water, growing your own vegetables and minding your animals, ... Within each of the farms was a beautiful turf fire, above some of them soda break baking away. In one of the farms, we got to taste the soda bread and homemade butter. Chatting to the farmer's wife, we learned all about life in the countryside, the furniture and living conditions during the 1930s and 1940s Each of the cottages had a vegetable plot where cabbage, potatoes and radish were growing. Within the farmyard were chickens, pigs, horses,... Quille's is the largest farm of the three, and it is here that we admired the large Irish wolfhounds, horses and donkeys. Within Muckross is also a shed where you can pet some of the smaller farm animals,... or enjoy a sheltered picnic in the woodland play area. Next was the local blacksmith where the fire and sparks shooting out from underneath the blacksmith's hammer where an impressive sight. The blacksmith explained all about his trade as we watched in admiration while he skilfully created a horseshoe.
After the blacksmith, we also visited the local school and tool shed. In the school, we were greeted by the local teacher who explained to us that state-sponsored primary schools were introduced in Ireland in 1831. The schoolhouse was divided in 2 rooms where each teacher would teach several classes within the one classroom. Another interesting fact was that the students had to bring turf to school so the open fires could be fired up. All by all, we really loved the experience at Muckross House. |
About the AuthorWe are Peter & Dolores De Bie. We love the great outdoors, discovering new parts of the world and writing about our adventures along the Wild Atlantic Way and further afield Categories
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