Gibraltar and Morocco (426 m, 842 m) – Sites of the Pillars of Hercules The Rock of Gibraltar on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and Jebel Musa on the northern tip of the Maghreb region of Africa have long been associated with each other. Flanking the highly strategic Straits of Gibraltar, these two mountains marked the end of the known world in ancient times. … [Read more...]
MONTE D’ANETO & MONTE PERDIDO
Spain/France (3,404 m, 3,355 m) – Highest Peaks in the Pyrenees Monte D’Aneto and Monte Perdido are two of the largest mountains that form the backbone of the Central Pyrenees on the border of France and Spain. The former is the tallest mountain of the Pyreness, and the latter is the centerpiece of Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park. Monte D’Aneto is named for the nearby … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF LAS NAVAS DE TOLOSA (LAS NAVAS DE TOLOSA BATTLEFIELD)
Las Navas de Tolosa, Spain (1212 AD) The Battle of Las Navas De Tolosa was the greatest Christian victory against the Moors in Spain and one of the most decisive engagements of the Reconquista. It ended the Almohad campaign to retake Iberia and ultimately set the stage for their loss of the entire peninsula and their toehold in Western Europe. It also reinvigorated the … [Read more...]
ALHAMBRA PALACE
Granada, Spain When the monarchs of medieval Europe still dwelt in dim, brooding castles, the Moors of Spain were building light and airy pleasure palaces the likes of which hadn’t been seen in Europe since Roman times. After most of the Moorish kingdoms fell to the Reconquista, the Alhambra survived well into the 1400s. For centuries the Alhambra was the greatest royal … [Read more...]
CATHEDRAL OF ST. MARY OF THE SEE
Seville, Spain During the late Middle Ages and Renaissance eras, the Spanish monarchs endeavored to make their country a bastion of the Church, both religiously and politically. During this era, no other major power was as closely tied to Rome as Spain. In recognition of this, the Iberian Peninsula was adorned with countless new churches. The greatest of these, without … [Read more...]
BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR
Zaragoza, Spain St. Mary Major in Rome may be the most important of all Marian shrines, and Lourdes may be the most famous; but it is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza that can boast being the oldest church in the world devoted to the Virgin Mary. Dating as far back as the 1st century AD, it commemorates Mary’s miraculous appearance to James the Greater … [Read more...]
CONVENT OF THE ANNUNCIATION
Alba de Tormes, Spain The relatively unassuming Convent of the Annunciation in the picturesque town of Alba de Tormes in Central Spain is the site of the tomb of Teresa of Avila, one of only a handful of woman to be designated a Doctor of the Church and perhaps the greatest female theologian in Christian history. The convent, one of a score that she founded, unexpectedly … [Read more...]
WALLED CITY OF AVILA
Avila, Spain When it comes to walled cities, Avila in Spain is about as impressive as it gets. Although it may lack the fairy-tale aesthetics of Carcassone or Rothenburg, few other surviving walled cities in Europe convey the true military importance of defensive fortifications as well as Avila does. Absolutely dominating the surrounding hills and cityscape, from certain … [Read more...]
ST. GEORGE CASTLE
Lisbon, Portugal The Castelo de Sao Jorge is the largest and arguably the most magnificent castle in Portugal. Of all the urban castles in capital cities in Western Europe, Sao Jorge is probably second only to the Tower of London in England. Standing in the very heart of Lisbon, the castle and its predecessors have guarded the city since Roman times and perhaps earlier. One … [Read more...]
SEGOVIA CASTLE
Segovia, Spain The Alcazar of Segovia is considered by many to be the definitive castle of Spain. Partially dating as far back as Roman times, Segovia Castle has served as a military base for both Arab occupiers and Christian crusaders, a royal residence and a military school. It has since been restored to its former royal splendor for tourism. Its postcard-perfect design … [Read more...]
