Central Spain - More than tapas

Stone by stone

This magnificent construction was created around 50 AD, being one of the best preserved Roman aqueducts in Europe.

[Segovia, Spain]

Alcazar

The Alcazar of Segovia is a beautiful 11th century medieval castle located on a hillside, rumoured to have inspired Disney to the castle of Snow White.

[Segovia, Spain]

Oink

This little piggy went to market. The town of Segovia has a very bizarre food tradition.

[Segovia, Spain]

World in my eyes

Kristian takes a look at the gothic cathedral from 1525.

[Segovia, Spain]

Across the moat

Front entrance of the Alcazar.

[Segovia, Spain]

Beneath the arches

Some people claim that the Plaza Mayor of Salamanca is the most beautiful square in Spain, but personally I think that the one in Madrid has superior colors.

[Plaza Mayor, Salamanca]

Serenity

The chilly cathedral is a great place to escape the summer heat.

[The cathedral of Salamanca]

For the birds

The view from the top of the cathedral gives a good idea of the city layout.

[Salamanca]

Reach out and touch faith

The inner balcony is a great place to admire the gothic architecture.

[Jonas in the Cathedral of Salamanca]

On the balcony

Beware, Quasimodo's nephew could be around.

[Cathedral of Salamanca]

Thumbs up

The view from the top of the cathedral is officially approved.

[Reine climbing the Cathedral of Salamanca]

Mi casa

This bird has found a place where it is unlikely to get evicted.

[Salamanca]

Walled kingdom

The city of Avila is the birthplace of Saint Teresa, but the most imposing feature is the city wall, with 88 towers built in 1090.

[Avila]

Walled kingdom

This is the location where a seven year old Saint Teresa was caught by her father, as she was trying to escape the city to seek martyrdoom in battle against the Moors.

[Reine at Los Quatro Postes, Avila]

Walled kingdom

The city of Avila is the birthplace of Saint Teresa, but the most imposing feature is the city wall, with 88 towers built in 1090.

[Avila]

Halls of stone

This cathedral is the greatest example of gothic architecture in Spain. Construction was begun in 1226 and several additions were made for centuries to come.

[Cathedral of Toledo]

Take your seat

The choir room is my favorite part of the cathedral. Located at the heart of the building, these chairs are individually carved from walnut wood and show scenes from the conquest of Granada.

[Cathedral of Toledo]

Wicked wires

[Toledo]

Waving the flag

[Plaza de Zocodover, Toledo]

Lost in the alleys

[Toledo]

High ground

The old fortress is located on the highest hill of the city and played a vital part in the civil war.

[Alcazar of Toledo]

A shadow of the past

[Estacion del Norte, Madrid]

And a bottle of rum

[Cafe Concierto La Fidula, Madrid]

Last orders

The normally bustling plaza gets kind of eerie late at night when everything is closed.

[Plaza Mayor, Madrid]

Epicenter

This is Kilometre Zero, the symbol which indicates the center of Spain where all roads start.

[Puerta del Sol, Madrid]

Bridge of sorrows

This beautiful bridge is unfortunately infamous for its many suicide jumpers.

[Madrid]

Urban forest

Estación de Atocha is the oldest and largest railway station in Madrid, opened in 1851. A 4000 m2 tropical garden dominates the interior, effectively keeping the mind away from the gruesome train bombings that occurred here in 2004.

[Estación de Atocha, Madrid]

Siesta hour

[Madrid]

Looking for Juliet

237 balconies surround the rectangular plaza.

[Plaza Mayor, Madrid]

Sunday afternoon

Every great city needs a large green lung.

[Retiro park, Madrid]

After the phoenix

This dome is one of the most recognized spots in Madrid, even though the vinged statue replaced the original phoenix statue decades ago when the previous owner of the building decided to take the statue with them while moving out.

[Edificio Metropolis, Madrid]

Old and new

The architecture of Madrid is a combination of new and old.

[Madrid]

Insomnia

Busy street outside my bedroom window at 4 AM. The road that never sleeps.

[Gran Via, Madrid]

Solid directions

The fascinating street numbering in the old town is painted on the walls, often including a small map of the orientation.

[Madrid]

Spain's most famous duo

'Just one more hug. I looove Sancho!'
'Get her away from him!'

[Plaza de Espana, Madrid]

Carnival underground

Madrid is more than tapas. Here is the Brazilian club Oba Oba, where there is definitely more samba and caipirinha than flamenco and cerveza.

[Oba Oba club in Madrid]

Stairway

Madrid's version of the stair below Sacre Coeur in Paris.

[Catedral de la Almudena, Madrid]