The Roman Bridge and the Guadalquivir River in Cordoba, Spain

I am trying to go back again to this lovely place through the images I captured during our visit lately in Cordoba, Spain. The photo you see here is the Roman bridge of Cordoba in the region of Andalusia in southern Spain. It was built in the early 1st century BC across the Guadalquivir river. This is one of the sights in this beautiful city.

Cordoba was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO last December 1984 due to its extensive historical heritages.

The bridge was built by the Romans in the early 1st century BC, perhaps replacing a previous one in wood. It currently has 16 arcades, one less than original ones, and a total length of 247 meters. The width is around 9 meters.

Travel Snapshot.-Plaza de España, Seville, Spain

Until now, I really can’t get that place out of my head! Spain is really beautiful and stunning. One of the cities we visited during that 8-days trip to Spain was Seville, the capital of the region of Andalusia.

You can see the Plaza de España or the Spain Square in my image below. This architecture is amazing. This plaza is located in the Parque de María Luisa (Maria Luisa Park), in Seville. It was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.

We just had a short stop and sightseeing in this square. I did not even listen to our tour guide because what's important for me was to take pictures of it. An hour or two is not enough to see everything in this square. Probably a whole day would do. I am quite happy and contented after that day trip in Seville..such a beautiful place to visit! I am still planning to visit it again!

The Plaza de España is a landmark example of the Renaissance Revival style in Spanish architecture. Taken last December 7, 2011. I was there!

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The Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain

Madrid! How I wish to see you again. I miss some things during our visit in Spain's capital city. I forgot to send messages to friends who currently live in Madrid. I should have the chance to see them. Sorry ladies, hope to visit Madrid again and see you.

My visit to this city last December 10, 2011 was one of the highlights in my travel and trips for this year. It was one of the best cities I visited in Europe. Visiting a huge city like Madrid for a day is not enough. There are just a lot of things to see and experience there. Despite of that I am still very thankful that I had a glimpse to one of the world's greatest and liveliest metropolis.

One of the sights we visited in Madrid is the Plaza Mayor. It has a rectangular shape and known to be the central plaza in this city. There is a Christmas market going on in this plaza during our visit. We had the chance to go a bit shopping for souvenirs in this area.

I guess that is all for now. I am quite sleepy after waking-up a bit early this morning. Happy holidays everyone!

More snapshots from Spain soon!

a snapshot during our visit last Dec. 10, 2011.

The Plaza Mayor is rectangular in shape, measuring 129 by 94 metres, and is surrounded by three-story residential buildings having 237 breathtaking balconies facing the Plaza. It has a total of nine entranceways. The Casa de la Panadería, serving municipal and cultural functions, dominates the Plaza Mayor.

The Plaza Mayor has been the scene of multitudinous events: markets, bullfights, soccer games, public executions, and, during the Spanish Inquisition, "autos de fe" against supposed heretics and the executions of those condemned to death. The Plaza Mayor also has a ring of old and traditional shops and cafes under its porticoes. Celebrations for San Isidro, patron saint of Madrid, are also held here. The Plaza Mayor is now a major tourist attraction, visited by thousands of tourists a year.

Travel Snapshot- Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria

This image was taken during my third visit in Salzburg last July 2011. The Salzburger Dom or Salzburg Cathedral is a 17th century baroque cathedral in the city of Salzburg.

The round gold monument you see in "Kapitelplatz (Salzburg)" in my photo below is quite new to me. During my first and second visit there, this monument was still not present.

the "Kapitelplatz (Salzburg)" or Capital Square in Salzburg with view of the Cathedral. You can find here shops and kiosks selling souvenirs, foods, etcetera.

The Concert Hall in Gerdarmenmarkt, Berlin

The Gendarmenmarkt is one of the famous squares in Berlin, Germany. It is also considered as the most beautiful square in Germany's capital. You can find here the Konzerthaus or Concert Hall and the German and French Cathedrals. The square was created by Johann Arnold Nering at the end of the seventeenth century.

the Concert Hall during my visit last February 2011.

Snapshot from Marienbad, Czech Republic

I am thinking of going back to this Marienbad this Saturday. I am happy that I was there. Even I did not saw everything during our visit, I am still happy and contented that I was there. What can you do with only around two hours of visit.
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Mariánské Lázně, as it is called on Czech language or Mary's Bath in English, is a spa town in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. The town, surrounded by green mountains, is a mosaic of parks and noble houses. Most of its buildings come from the town's Golden Era in the second half of the 19th century, when many celebrities and top European rulers came to enjoy the curative carbon dioxide springs.

The main cast-iron colonnade, taken during our visit last October 9, 2011.

Travel Snapshots- Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England

Windsor castle is a royal residence of the British Royal family. It is located in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. Windsor Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in the decade after the Norman conquest of 1066.

I had a great time visiting this castle with a friend. It was nice seeing wonderful architecture like this.

Architecture

Windsor Castle occupies a large site of more than thirteen acres (five hectares), and combines the features of a fortification, a palace, and a small town. The present-day castle was created during a sequence of phased building projects, culminating in the reconstruction work after a fire in 1992. It is in essence a Georgian and Victorian design based on a medieval structure, with Gothic features reinvented in a modern style. Since the 14th century, architecture at the castle has attempted to produce a contemporary reinterpretation of older fashions and traditions, repeatedly imitating outmoded or even antiquated styles. As a result, architect Sir William Whitfield has pointed to Windsor Castle's architecture as having "a certain fictive quality", the Picturesque and Gothic design generating "a sense that a theatrical performance is being put on here", despite late 20th century efforts to expose more of the older structures to increase the sense of authenticity. Although there has been some criticism, the castle's architecture and history lends it a "place amongst the greatest European palaces". windsor

The Round Tower on top of the motte in the Middle Ward..taken during my visit with a friend last November 2008.

taken from outside of the castle compound. We had a walk inside the castle buildings during our visit. Sad to day, it is forbidden to take photos inside the castle rooms.

Travel Snapshot - The Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic

The Charles Bridge, also known as Karlův most is a historical and famous bridge in Prague, Czech Republic. It crosses the Vltava river that runs in this city. It was formerly called the Stone Bridge or Kamenný most but since 1870, it has been called the "Charles Bridge". You can see religious statues and statuaries on the sides of this gothic bridge.

How lucky I am to stepped on this historical bridge twice already.

This was taken during my second visit last July 2011 in Prague. Thanks to good friends around for inviting me to tour with them.

Travel Snapshot- St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy

It's been a year now since I visited Rome, the capital city of Italy. The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter commonly known as St. Peter's Basilica was one of the sights we visited. It is Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. It has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world.

St. Peter's Square with St. Peter's Basilica in the background with the Obelisk which has a crucifix on top. This was taken during our visit last August 2010.

the dome of St. Peter's Basilica...such an amazing work of architecture...simply beautiful!

Neuschwanstein Castle of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Germany

Visiting this castle is truly a wonderful and interesting experience! I was there four times already and always loved it! Neuschawanstein Castle is a 19th-century Gothic Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner.

taken during my fourth visit last July 2011.

Travel Snapshot - Dinant, Belgium

The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame as seen on the Citadel of Dinant, a fortress in this city. You can also see the River Meuse. I took this image last August 2010.

The city's landmark is the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame. You can see the tower of the church in the image above. It was rebuilt in Gothic style on its old foundations after falling rocks from the adjacent cliff partially destroyed the former Romanesque style church in 1227.

The Beautiful Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany

taken during my second visit last summer 2010. what an amazing work of architecture!

The Cologne Cathedral is a Catholic church in the city of Cologne, Germany. It has a Gothic architecture. It is the biggest Gothic church in the northern part of Europe. Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and took, with interruptions, until 1880 to complete. It is 144.5 metres long, 86.5 m wide and its towers are approximately 157 m tall.

The Royal Palace of Brussels, Belgium

taken during my Europe tour last summer 2010.

The Royal Palace of Brussels, called in Dutch as Koninklijk Paleis van Brussel and in French: Palais Royal de Bruxelles. It is the official palace of the King of the Belgians in the centre of the nation's capital Brussels. The palace is situated in front of Brussels Park. A long square called the Paleizenplein/Place des Palais separates the palace from the park.