Tag Archives: Spain

Charles V Quits and Goes to Yuste

Posted on January 14, 2016 by

How would you like to rule the world? Charles V ruled it—the best part of it, which included Western Europe and America. Charles V at the Battle of Mühlberg by Titian He worked and worried day and night for forty … Continue reading →

Posted in books, history, Spain | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Emperor Meets His Natural Son

Posted on February 25, 2015 by

The Emperor Charles V (Charles I of Spain) “Gómez!” “Sire?” “Put my leg up.” The servant stooped down to see that the board holding up the Emperor’s left leg was solid, then cranked it higher. The orthopedic chair was an … Continue reading →

Posted in books, history, Spain, travel | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Don Quijote’s Evil Giants

Posted on September 8, 2014 by

When you first see the windmills on the great hill of Consuegra you will remember Don Quijote. He thought they weren’t windmills but evil giants standing haughtily in front of him; and he bravely tilted his lance and charged. They … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, Cervantes, engineering, great writers, Spain, travel, windmill | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Giddy-up, Aristotle

Posted on August 17, 2014 by

This looks like a medieval version of Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly singing “True Love.” But it isn’t anything like that. Those aren’t earphones or the man’s microphone but a…bridle. The woman is riding him. She is Phyllis the Courtesan … Continue reading →

Posted in 1, Alexander the Great, Aristotle, art, Basel, France, history, Humanism, Lai d' Aristot, middle ages, philosophy, Phyllis, Renaissance, Toledo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Great Roman Engineering

Posted on August 11, 2014 by

One of the most impressive Roman constructions you will ever see is the aqueduct of Segovia, Spain. Aqueduct of Segovia (file photo) It still brings good water down from the mountains fifteen kilometers away. For most of that distance the … Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, engineering, history, Romans, Spain | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Your First Bullfight? Here’s What You’ll See

Posted on November 5, 2009 by

You find your seat in the grandstands and sit down. In front of you is a big circle of yellow sand, surrounded by a red fence. Horns blow, a gate opens, and the toreros (bullfighters) come out into the ring. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1, bullfight, Spain | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

A Great Story by Cervantes

Posted on August 26, 2009 by

Rinconete and Cortadillo is one of the best of Cervantes’ short stories. Two raggedy kids coincide at an inn on the road to Seville. “What is your trade?” one asks the other as they lay in the shade at siesta … Continue reading →

Posted in 1, Cervantes, history, literature, Mafia, Seville, Spain | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment