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  • Spain then and now
  • Spain then and now
Spain Then and NowSpain Then and Now
  • Architecture
    • Spanish Architecture Overview
    • Medieval Architecture in Spain.
    • Architecture as Cultural Signpost in Spain.
    • The Great Mosque of Córdoba. La Mezquita.
    • Inside the Great Mosque of Córdoba, Spain.
    • Córdoba’s Cathedral is a Mosque!
    • Córdoba’s Mosque: Muslim Calligraphy and Christian Imagery
    • Alhambra. Historical Introduction.
    • The Alhambra: What’s inside?
    • Entering the Alhambra.
    • Inside the Alhambra. The Nasrid Palace.
    • The Alhambra: Court of the Lions
    • Alhambra. A Case of Two Palaces.
    • Alhambra: The Architecture of Palaces and Power.
    • Alhambra. Architecture with Poetry and Arabesque.
    • San Baudelio. A Gem of Mozarabic Architecture.
    • Castles in Spain. History.
    • Romanesque Architecture. Characteristics.
    • Romanesque Architecture. Catalonia’s Unique Style.
    • Romanesque in Aragón, Navarra, Castile-León
    • Church Architecture and the Reconquista.
    • Cistercian Architecture in Spain.
    • Gothic Architecture. Characteristics.
    • Four Spanish Gothic Cathedrals: Their Historical Meaning.
    • Burgos Cathedral.
    • Renaissance Architecture in 16th-Century Spain
    • Plateresque Style in Spain’s Golden Age Architecture.
    • Charles V’s Palace in the Alhambra. Golden Age Architecture.
    • El Escorial. History, Content, Significance.
    • Antoni Gaudí 1852-1926. A Catalan Architect Par Excellence.
    • Gaudi. El Capricho. Comillas. An Oriental, Gothic Fantasy.
    • Gaudí. Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Park Güell.
    • Gaudí. La Sagrada Familia. History.
    • Gaudí. La Sagrada Familia.
  • Art
    • Spanish Art Overview
    • Cave Paintings in Spain
    • Romanesque Art and Sculpture in Spain
    • Painting in Spain’s Golden Age. Background and Overview.
    • Spanish Golden Age Art: Religion, Portraits, Landscapes.
    • Golden Age Religious Painting and Flemish Influence.
    • Golden Age Religious Painting and Italian Influence
    • Golden Age Art: Religion, Politics, Art in the 16th Century.
    • Spanish Golden Age Art: Portraits and their Significance.
    • El Greco’s Art: Visionary, Dematerialised, Unearthly.
    • Velázquez’s Early Years and Seville, 1599-1623.
    • Velázquez’s Early Paintings. The Seville Years. 1599-1623.
    • Velázquez. The Immaculate Conception. Vision of St. John.
    • Velázquez’s Adoration of the Magi 1619.
    • Velázquez. Christ in the House of Martha and Mary. The Supper at Emmaus.
    • Velázquez (1599-1660). Bodegones and Daily Life.
    • Velázquez: From Seville to Madrid (The Court) 1623-31.
    • Velázquez. Madrid. Italy. Madrid.1631-60.
    • Velázquez and Classical Mythology. The Rokeby Venus.
    • Velázquez. Mythology. Bacchus. Vulcan. Mars. Mercury.
    • Velázquez. Las Hilanderas or The Fable of Arachne.
    • Velázquez. Las Meninas. Introduction and Status Symbol.
    • Velázquez: Las Meninas (1656) and Reality.
    • Zurbarán 1598-1664. Brief Biography and Review of his Art.
    • Zurbarán. Christ on the Cross. Temptation of St. Jerome.
    • Bartolomé Murillo 1617-1682. His Life and Art in Seville.
    • Francisco de Goya
  • Culture
    • Spanish Culture Overview
    • Spanish Food. History. Introduction. 2016.
    • Spain’s Jamón Ibérico. The World’s Greatest Ham.
    • Spanish Food History: The Early Days.
    • Spanish Food History: The Romans.
    • Arab and Moorish Influence on Spanish Food.
    • Arab Moorish Influence on Agriculture in Al-Andalus.
    • Ziryab (789-857) and Spanish Food, Fashion and Etiquette.
    • Conversos and Moriscos: Tyranny of Food. 2016.
    • Bullfighting in Spain (“Corrida de toros”)
  • History
    • Spanish History Overview
    • The earliest years
    • Spain in the Palaeolithic Age
    • Spain. Copper Age: Antequera.
    • The Iberians in Spain
    • The Celts in Spain.
    • Iberians and Celts in 19th and 20th-Century Spain.
    • Tartessus
    • The Phoenicians in Spain. Why were they there?
    • The Greeks in Spain.
    • The Carthaginians in Spain.
    • Roman Conquest of Spain/Hispania.
    • Roman Legacy in Spain/Hispania.
    • Roman Roads in Spain/Hispania.
    • Roman Towns in Spain/Hispania and the Creation of Empire.
    • Roman Spain/Hispania and Christianity.
    • The Visigoths in Spain. Their Arrival and Unexpected Legacy.
    • Visigoths or “Invisigoths!” in Spain. Can we ignore them?
    • Spain. Visigoths and Unity: Monarchy. Religion. Law.
    • Spain. Visigoths and Jews.
    • Al-Andalus. History of the Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain.
    • Al-Andalus. 8th Century Invasion.
    • Al-Andalus. 8th Century. Consolidation.
    • Al-Andalus. 9th Century.
    • Al-Andalus: 10th Century. Abd al-Rahman III.
    • Al-Andalus. 10th Century. Córdoba and Culture.
    • Al-Andalus. 10th Century. Al-Mansur.
    • Al-Andalus. 11th Century. Taifa kingdoms
    • Almoravids in Al-Andalus. 11th Century.
    • Almohads in Al-Andalus. 12th Century.
    • Al-Andalus: Survival of Granada.
    • Al-Andalus: Economy.
    • Al-Andalus. Dhimmis.
    • Al-Andalus. Muwallads.
    • Al-Andalus. Mozarabs.
    • Mozarabs. Resistance Accommodation.
    • Mozarabs. A Controversial Term.
    • Mudejars. From Survival to Conversion.
    • Moriscos. Their History in Spain.
    • The Story of St. James and The Camino de Santiago.
    • Camino de Santiago. Birth, Rise and Popularity. 9th to 14th Centuries.
    • Camino de Santiago. Decline and Rebirth.
    • Camino de Santiago. Why Santiago de Compostela? Why St. James?
    • Camino de Santiago. Many Routes and Pilgrims.
    • Camino de Santiago. The Role of Royalty.
    • Asturias. León. History of Early Christian kingdoms.
    • Pamplona. Navarre. History of Early Christian kingdoms.
    • Castile. Early History and Formation.
    • Alfonso X, el Sabio 1221-84. Politics.
    • Alfonso X. El Sabio: Language and Law.
    • Alfonso X. El Sabio: Histories and Translations.
    • History of the Jews in Spain to 13th Century.
    • History of the Jews in Spain.14th-Century.
    • History of the Jews in Spain. Early 15th-Century.
    • History of the Jews and Conversos in Spain. 15th Century
    • Conquest of Granada.
    • History of Spain. 16th Century Overview.
    • Ferdinand and Isabella: Catholic Monarchs. Politics.
    • Charles V of Spain. Politics.
    • History of Spain.17th-Century Overview.
    • History of Spain.18th Century. Overview (1)
    • History of Spain.18th Century. Overview (2).
    • History of Spain.19th Century. Overview.
    • Spain’s Peninsular War 1808-14 and the Rise of Liberalism.
    • Spain. Restoration 1875-1902
    • Anarchism in Spain in the 19th Century.
    • History of Spain. 20th Century. Overview.
    • Spain. Political Regeneration and Restoration 1902-23.
    • Spain. Restoration 1902-1931. Alfonso XIII. The Monarchy.
    • Spain. Restoration 1900-1923. The Military.
    • General Miguel Primo de Rivera: The Rise of a Dictator.
    • General Miguel Primo de Rivera: The Fall of a Dictator.
    • Second Spanish Republic 1931-36. History. Overview.
    • Second Spanish Republic 1931-36. Transition to Provisional Government.
    • Second Spanish Republic. The Church June 1931-November 1933.
    • Second Spanish Republic. Agrarian Reform June 1931-November 1933.
    • Second Spanish Republic. Military Reform June 1931-November 1933.
    • Second Spanish Republic. Regional Autonomy. June 1931-November 1933.
    • Second Spanish Republic. 1931-33. Unions and Forces of Order.
    • Casas Viejas, January 1933. A Spanish Tragedy.
    • Second Spanish Republic. Nov 1933-Feb 1936. The Right Takes Charge.
    • Second Spanish Republic. Nov1933-Feb1936. The Left Reacts.
    • Second Spanish Republic. February 1936-July 1936. Prelude to Civil War.
    • Spanish Civil War: An Overview of the Causes.
    • Spanish Civil War. How it all Began: July – August 1936.
    • Spanish Civil War. Objective Madrid.
    • Spanish Civil War. Republican Disunity.
    • Spanish Civil War. International Context.
    • Spanish Civil War. An Uncivil War.
    • Spain after the Civil War. International Relations.
    • Franco Crusader Saviour?
    • The Catholic Church and the Spanish Civil War.
    • The Catholic Church after the Spanish Civil War.
    • CORDOBA. Historical Overview of Europe’s once mightiest City.
    • GRANADA to the 16th century. Muslim and Christian Presence.
    • GRANADA Spain from the 16th to 20th Century.
    • SEVILLE to 1500.
    • SEVILLE. 16th and 17th Centuries.
    • SEVILLE from 1700.
    • TOLEDO. Historical Overview of its Rise, Fall and Rebirth.
    • CATALONIA. Early History to 1000 AD.
    • Catalonia History: 11th and 12th Centuries.
    • Catalonia in the 13th Century. The Age of Expansion.
    • Catalonia in the 14th Century. Political and Social Turmoil.
    • Catalonia. History. 15th Century.
    • Catalonia. History. 18th Century.
    • Catalonia. History. 19th-Century.
    • Catalonia. Renaixença. Cultural Rebirth.
    • Catalonia. Towards a Catalan Voice.
    • Catalonia. History 1900-1923.
    • ARAGON. Early History to 1137.
  • Literature
    • Spanish Literature Overview
    • Al-Andalus. The Rich and Surprising Variety of Love Lyrics.
    • Al Andalus. Homoerotic Poetry. An Unexpected Discovery.
    • Al-Andalus. Nature in Andalusi Poetry. Originality, Variety.
    • Al-Andalus. Women Poets. Surprisingly Independent Voices.
    • The Kharjas: Early Lyrical Poetry in Spain.
    • Cantigas Gallego-Portugesas. Introduction.
    • Cantigas de amigo. Background and Analysis.
    • Cantigas de amigo. Simple Poetry and Complex Structure.
    • El Cid: Brief Biography
    • Poema de Mí­o Cid: Summary of a Self-Made Man’s Life.
    • Poema de Mío Cid: Is the Cid Spain’s Hero?
    • Poema de Mío Cid: Rodrigo de Vivar: A Different Hero.
    • Alfonso X el Sabio and the Cantigas de Sta. María.
    • Book of Good Love: Libro de buen amor. What is it about?
    • Book of Good Love: The Art of Ambiguity.
    • Book of Good Love. Libro de buen amor. Love and seduction.
    • Spanish Ballads. Historical Overview to Civil War 1936-39.
    • Spanish Ballads. Origins. Classification.
    • Spanish Ballads. Metre. Rhyme. Style.
    • Spanish Ballad. De amores trata Rodrigo. Analysis.
    • Spanish Ballad. Encima del duro suelo. Analysis.
    • Spanish Ballad: En Burgos está el buen rey.
    • La Celestina. Summary.
    • La Celestina. Author. Genre. Location.
    • La Celestina. The Upstairs World of Calisto and Melibea.
    • The Downstairs World of Celestina.
    • La Celestina. Challenge and Innovation.
    • La Celestina. Daily Needs and Survival.
    • La Celestina. Interpretation(s).
    • Spain Golden Age Literature. Early Background.
    • Spain Golden Age Literature. Innovations and Originality.
    • Romances of Chivalry. Definition and Characteristics.
    • Amadis of Gaul. Summary.
    • Amadis of Gaul. The Art of Storytelling.
    • Romances of Chivalry. Why were they so popular in Spain?
    • Spain. Romances of Chivalry. Decline of a Popular Genre.
    • Garcilaso de la Vega 1501?-1536. Life and Fame.
    • Garcilaso de la Vega. Poetic Innovations.
    • Garcilaso de la Vega. Sonnet 1. Cuando me paro … Analysis.
    • Garcilaso de la Vega. En tanto que de rosa… Analysis.
    • Lazarillo de Tormes: Summary.
    • Lázaro: The Letter Writer.
    • Lazarillo. Cynic, Saint. Knight?
    • Lazarillo de Tormes and Reality.
    • Fray Luis de León 1527-91. Life and Work.
    • Fray Luis de León. Noche Serena and the Path to Truth.
    • San Juan de la Cruz: Noche oscura. Analysis.
    • San Juan de la Cruz . Llama de amor viva. Analysis.
    • Góngora. Brief Biography of a Gambler, Rebel, Poet.
    • Luis de Góngora. Andeme yo caliente/…1581
    • Góngora. Mientras por competir… Analysis.
    • Góngora and Gongorismo or the Art of Obscurity.
    • Quevedo: Poderoso caballero… Analysis.
    • Quevedo: ¡Ah de la vida!…
    • Quevedo. Bermejazo platero de las cumbres.
    • Quevedo. El Buscón. Introduction and Language.
    • Quevedo. El Buscón. Why is the Role of Conversos Important?
    • Quevedo. El Buscón. Book I. Summary.
    • Quevedo. El Buscón. Book II. Summary.
    • Quevedo. El Buscón. Book III. Summary.
    • Alemán. Guzmán de Alfarache. Introduction.
    • Alemán. Guzman de Alfarache. New Epic or Novel?
    • Alemán. Guzmán de Alfarache. From Equality to Heroism.
    • Cervantes. Life. Part I. 1547-80.
    • Cervantes. Life. Part II. 1580-1616.
    • Cervantes: What is it about Titles?
    • Cervantes: What is it about the title “Don Quixote”?
    • Don Quixote Part I (1605). Summary.
    • Don Quixote Part II (1615): Summary.
    • Don Quixote: A Famous Failure.
    • Don Quixote. Hero or Fool?
    • Don Quixote and the Real World. Part I (1605).
    • Don Quixote and the Real World. Part II (1615).
    • Don Quixote’s Squire Sancho Panza.
    • Don Quixote. An Authoritarian’s Nightmare.
    • Don Quixote: The “True”Story
    • Don Quixote. Hero or Religious Extremist?
    • Lope de Vega. Fuenteovejuna. Summary.
    • Calderón. La vida es sueño. Summary.
    • Life is a Dream. La Vida es Sueño. Act I. Scenes 1 to 4.
    • Tirso de Molina. EL Burlador de Sevilla. Summary.
    • Don Juan…the Devil
    • Tirso de Molina. Burlador de Sevilla. Don Juan and Honour.
    • Generation of 1898. What Does the Term Mean?
    • Generation of 1898. Precursors and the “Problem of Spain.”
    • Angel Ganivet (1865-1898). Idearium español. 1897.
    • Lorca: The House of Bernarda Alba. Summary Act I.
    • Lorca: The House of Bernarda Alba. Summary. Acts II and III.
    • Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba: The House.
    • Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba. Characters: Bernarda.
    • Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba. Characters: Bernarda’s Daughters.
    • Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba. Characters: La Poncia.
    • Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba. Characters: Pepe el Romano.
  • Travel
    • Spanish Travel Overiew
    • General Map of Spain.
    • Geography of Spain.
    • The Spanish Coast.
    • Spain. The North Coast.
    • Las Rías
    • Spanish Coast. La Costa Verde.
    • Spanish Coast. La Costa Vasca.
    • Spanish Coast. La Costa Cantábrica.
    • Spain. The Mediterranean Coast.
    • La Costa de la Luz
    • Spain. Mountains.
    • Spain. The Meseta.
    • Spain. Rivers.
    • Spain. Water Problems. Drought, Irrigation and Protection.
    • Spain: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
    • Visiting Córdoba, a “Silent” City with Dazzling Sights.
    • Visiting Toledo. A Journey into the History of a Country.
    • Travel Itinerary: 2013 Trip to Spain.
    • Travel 2013: Barcelona Arrival
    • Travel 2013. Day 1. Barcelona
    • Travel 2013. Day 2. Barcelona
    • Travel 2013. Day 3. Barcelona to Cuenca
    • Travel 2013. Day 4. Cuenca to Granada
    • Travel 2013. Day 5 (1). Granada
    • Granada. Spain. Travel 2013. Day 5. Royal Chapel, Albaicín.
    • Travel 2013. Day 6. Las Alpujarras
    • Travel 2013. Day 7. Granada La Hoya
    • Travel 2013. Day 8. La Hoya to Carmona
    • Travel 2013. Day 9 (1). Carmona Seville
    • Travel 2013. Day 9 (2) Seville
    • Travel 2013. Day 10 (1) Carmona Córdoba
    • Travel 2013. Day 10 (2) Cordoba Almagro
    • Travel 2013. Day 11. Almagro to Madrid
    • Travel 2013. Day 12 (1) Madrid
    • Travel 2013. Day 12 (2) Madrid
    • Travel 2013. Day 13 Madrid to Segovia
    • Travel 2013. Day 14 Segovia El Burgo de Osma
    • Travel 2013 Day 15 Berlanga, Baudelio, Gormaz
    • Travel 2013. Day 15 (2) Calatañazor
    • Travel 2013. Day 16. Burgo de O to Sos del Rey
    • Travel 2013. Day 17 Sos and Leyre Monastery
    • Travel 2013 Day 18. San Juan de la Peña and Alquézar
    • Travel 2013. Day 19. Alquézar
    • Travel 2017: Itinerary and Arrival.
    • Travel 2017. Day 1. Madrid Bilbao.
    • Travel 2017. Day 2. Bilbao, Guggenheim Museum. Argoños
    • Travel 2017. Day 3. Argoños.
    • Travel 2017. Day 4. Santillana del Mar.
    • Travel 2017. Day 5. Comillas. Gaudí’s El Capricho.
    • Travel 2017. Day 6. Bárcena Mayor.
    • Travel 2017. Day 7. Santillana to Oviedo.
    • Travel 2017. Day 8. Oviedo Bárzana.
    • Travel 2017. Day 9. Oviedo Ribadeo.
    • Spain. Climate, Weather Patterns, Heatwaves and Solutions.
  • Spanish Architecture Overview
  • Medieval Architecture in Spain.
  • Architecture as Cultural Signpost in Spain.
  • The Great Mosque of Córdoba. La Mezquita.
  • Inside the Great Mosque of Córdoba, Spain.
  • Córdoba’s Cathedral is a Mosque!
  • Córdoba’s Mosque: Muslim Calligraphy and Christian Imagery
  • Alhambra. Historical Introduction.
  • The Alhambra: What’s inside?
  • Entering the Alhambra.
  • Inside the Alhambra. The Nasrid Palace.
  • The Alhambra: Court of the Lions
  • Alhambra. A Case of Two Palaces.
  • Alhambra: The Architecture of Palaces and Power.
  • Alhambra. Architecture with Poetry and Arabesque.
  • San Baudelio. A Gem of Mozarabic Architecture.
  • Castles in Spain. History.
  • Romanesque Architecture. Characteristics.
  • Romanesque Architecture. Catalonia’s Unique Style.
  • Romanesque in Aragón, Navarra, Castile-León
  • Church Architecture and the Reconquista.
  • Cistercian Architecture in Spain.
  • Gothic Architecture. Characteristics.
  • Four Spanish Gothic Cathedrals: Their Historical Meaning.
  • Burgos Cathedral.
  • Antoni Gaudí 1852-1926. A Catalan Architect Par Excellence.
  • Gaudí. La Sagrada Familia. History.
  • Gaudí. La Sagrada Familia.

Cistercian Architecture in Spain.

Cistercian architecture represents a transition between Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The term comes from a group of rebellious monks of the Benedictine Order of Cluny (France), who objected to the decadent life style enjoyed by the Benedictine monks in the late 11th-early 12th centuries.

The group broke away in 1098 and founded the first Cistercian abbey at the village of Citeaux –about 25 kilometres south of Dijon—with the aim of living more closely the rules of St Benedict.

The Order gathered pace under the leadership of Bernard (1090-1153), a young Burgundian nobleman who left Citeaux with twelve monks and founded an abbey at nearby Clairveaux.  By the middle of the 13th, the Cistercian Order counted about 2,000 abbeys throughout Europe.

In Spanish history, the Cistercians played a significant role in the struggles against Muslim al-Andalus. In 1147, Alfonso VII, King of Castile-Leon, took the castle of Calatrava la Vieja (Old Calatrava), which he then placed under the protection of the Order of the Knights Templar. Soon  Alfonso’s death in 1157, the Templars returned the castle to Alfonso’s son, Sancho, admitting that they were unable to guarantee protection. The challenge was taken up by Raymond, abbot of the Cistercian Monastery of Fitero (in Navarre), and one of the monks, a former knight, Diego Velázquez.  Together they gathered a group of volunteers and settled in Calatrava. There, in  1158, they formed a religious community following Cistercian rules adapted to their military situation. In 1164 they were admitted into the Cistercian Order itself.  In the same year, Pope Alexander III recognized the Order and gave it his approval. The first of Spain’s three great 12th-century Military Orders (the other two being Santiago and Alcántara) was thus born.

Advocating simplicity in all matters, the Cistercians championed an austere life style and self-sufficiency.  They practiced agriculture widely and developed an expertise in hydrology to irrigate their fields.  In keeping with their contemplative life and avoidance of materialism, they built their monasteries in rural areas, preferably in valleys and near streams.

Because of the emphasis on simplicity, sculptures of saints, biblical or daily scenes, or monstrous figures, all of which functioned prominently as teaching material for the illiterate faithful in Romanesque churches, were discouraged and frequently omitted. 

The same applied, also, to stained glass, just beginning to appear in some Romanesque churches. For the Cistercians, nothing should distract from prayer and meditation. Their attitude is neatly summed up in St Bernard’s words: “What utility can there be in so many ridiculous monsters, that misshapen beauty… especially on the walls of the cloisters, under the eyes of the monks who are engaged in reading? What use have these primitive monkeys, these fierce lions, these spotted tigers, these fighting warriors, these horn-blowing hunters? Here one sees many bodies beneath a single head. On one side there is a four-footed beast with a serpent’s head; on another a quadruped’s head with the tail of a fish; here a horse with the hindquarters of a goat… In short there is such a large and prodigious diversity of animals that the marble stones make better reading than the books.  One could pass the whole day here admiring the details of each one instead of meditating on God’s Law” (Gitlitz 110).

Bridging Romanesque and Gothic architecture, Cistercian architecture partakes of both. The earlier monasteries have a more Romanesque quality e.g. the Monastery of Moreruela (1131, about 35 kilometres -21 miles- north of  Zamora), the earliest Cistercian building in Spain; later buildings reveal more Gothic elements e.g. the church of the Monasterio of Cañas (1236, La Rioja).

The ruins of the Monastery Moreruela (1131), show the preponderance of Romanesque influence. From the outside (below left), we can see how the east end looks typically Romanesque, with three small lower apses. Inside, the arches are rounded  (below right) with hints of pointed Gothic arches linking the lower circular columns (below centre). There are no carvings on the capitals of the columns, the columns themselves are solid, and the elongated windows above are small.

Ruins of the Monastery of Moreruela 1131.
Ruins of Moreruela. Interior.

The Monasteryi of Santa Creus (ca.1160), the church of Santa María de la Huerta (1162) and the Monastery of Cañas (1236) are all simple and non-decorative. The Monastery of Santa Creus and the Monasterio de la Huerta still retain Romanesque features, but there is a clear evolution towards Gothic in the Monasterio de Cañas with its large of expanse of glass, its pointed arches, ribbed vaulting and elegant upward thrust. However, in keeping with the simplicity sought by the Cistercians, the windows are not made of stained glass and there are no carvings or sculpture. The ornate altarpiece in the image on the right (below) is a 16th-century addition and clashes with the serene simplicity of the rest of the interior.

Monastery of Santes Creus ca 1160. Note the lack of sculptures, and the solid Romanesque pillars and rounded arches. The ribbed vaulting over the chancel anticipates the more complex ribbing of Gothic vaulting
Monastery of Sta. María de la Huerta. © http://delso.photo/
Monastery of Cañas 1236.
Sources.
Barral I Altet, Xavier ed. Art and Architecture of Spain Boston 1998
Boyd, Alastair  The Companion Guide to Madrid and Central Spain London 2nd ed. 1986
Gitlitz, David M and Davidson Linda K The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago New York 2000
White, Robert A River in Spain: Discovering the Duero Valley in Old Castile London, New York 1998
For a good list and access to photos of Cistercian monasteries in Spain, see http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Cistercian_%28style%29_monasteries_in_Spain
Photos of Monastery of Moreruela from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monasterio_de_Moreruela-Interior.jpg

Photos of Monastery of Cañas from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Monastery_of_Ca%C3%B1as

Photo of Monastery of Santes Creus from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monestir_de_Santes_Creus_-_Interior_esgl%C3%A9sia.JPG
Photo of Monastery of Santa Maria de la Huerta from Wikimedia http://delso.photo/
 
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  • Architecture
    • Spanish Architecture Overview
    • Medieval Architecture in Spain.
    • Architecture as Cultural Signpost in Spain.
    • The Great Mosque of Córdoba. La Mezquita.
    • Inside the Great Mosque of Córdoba, Spain.
    • Córdoba’s Cathedral is a Mosque!
    • Córdoba’s Mosque: Muslim Calligraphy and Christian Imagery
    • Alhambra. Historical Introduction.
    • The Alhambra: What’s inside?
    • Entering the Alhambra.
    • Inside the Alhambra. The Nasrid Palace.
    • The Alhambra: Court of the Lions
    • Alhambra. A Case of Two Palaces.
    • Alhambra: The Architecture of Palaces and Power.
    • Alhambra. Architecture with Poetry and Arabesque.
    • San Baudelio. A Gem of Mozarabic Architecture.
    • Castles in Spain. History.
    • Romanesque Architecture. Characteristics.
    • Romanesque Architecture. Catalonia’s Unique Style.
    • Romanesque in Aragón, Navarra, Castile-León
    • Church Architecture and the Reconquista.
    • Cistercian Architecture in Spain.
    • Gothic Architecture. Characteristics.
    • Four Spanish Gothic Cathedrals: Their Historical Meaning.
    • Burgos Cathedral.
    • Renaissance Architecture in 16th-Century Spain
    • Plateresque Style in Spain’s Golden Age Architecture.
    • Charles V’s Palace in the Alhambra. Golden Age Architecture.
    • El Escorial. History, Content, Significance.
    • Antoni Gaudí 1852-1926. A Catalan Architect Par Excellence.
    • Gaudi. El Capricho. Comillas. An Oriental, Gothic Fantasy.
    • Gaudí. Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Park Güell.
    • Gaudí. La Sagrada Familia. History.
    • Gaudí. La Sagrada Familia.
  • Art
    • Spanish Art Overview
    • Cave Paintings in Spain
    • Romanesque Art and Sculpture in Spain
    • Painting in Spain’s Golden Age. Background and Overview.
    • Spanish Golden Age Art: Religion, Portraits, Landscapes.
    • Golden Age Religious Painting and Flemish Influence.
    • Golden Age Religious Painting and Italian Influence
    • Golden Age Art: Religion, Politics, Art in the 16th Century.
    • Spanish Golden Age Art: Portraits and their Significance.
    • El Greco’s Art: Visionary, Dematerialised, Unearthly.
    • Velázquez’s Early Years and Seville, 1599-1623.
    • Velázquez’s Early Paintings. The Seville Years. 1599-1623.
    • Velázquez. The Immaculate Conception. Vision of St. John.
    • Velázquez’s Adoration of the Magi 1619.
    • Velázquez. Christ in the House of Martha and Mary. The Supper at Emmaus.
    • Velázquez (1599-1660). Bodegones and Daily Life.
    • Velázquez: From Seville to Madrid (The Court) 1623-31.
    • Velázquez. Madrid. Italy. Madrid.1631-60.
    • Velázquez and Classical Mythology. The Rokeby Venus.
    • Velázquez. Mythology. Bacchus. Vulcan. Mars. Mercury.
    • Velázquez. Las Hilanderas or The Fable of Arachne.
    • Velázquez. Las Meninas. Introduction and Status Symbol.
    • Velázquez: Las Meninas (1656) and Reality.
    • Zurbarán 1598-1664. Brief Biography and Review of his Art.
    • Zurbarán. Christ on the Cross. Temptation of St. Jerome.
    • Bartolomé Murillo 1617-1682. His Life and Art in Seville.
    • Francisco de Goya
  • Culture
    • Spanish Culture Overview
    • Spanish Food. History. Introduction. 2016.
    • Spain’s Jamón Ibérico. The World’s Greatest Ham.
    • Spanish Food History: The Early Days.
    • Spanish Food History: The Romans.
    • Arab and Moorish Influence on Spanish Food.
    • Arab Moorish Influence on Agriculture in Al-Andalus.
    • Ziryab (789-857) and Spanish Food, Fashion and Etiquette.
    • Conversos and Moriscos: Tyranny of Food. 2016.
    • Bullfighting in Spain (“Corrida de toros”)
  • History
    • Spanish History Overview
    • The earliest years
    • Spain in the Palaeolithic Age
    • Spain. Copper Age: Antequera.
    • The Iberians in Spain
    • The Celts in Spain.
    • Iberians and Celts in 19th and 20th-Century Spain.
    • Tartessus
    • The Phoenicians in Spain. Why were they there?
    • The Greeks in Spain.
    • The Carthaginians in Spain.
    • Roman Conquest of Spain/Hispania.
    • Roman Legacy in Spain/Hispania.
    • Roman Roads in Spain/Hispania.
    • Roman Towns in Spain/Hispania and the Creation of Empire.
    • Roman Spain/Hispania and Christianity.
    • The Visigoths in Spain. Their Arrival and Unexpected Legacy.
    • Visigoths or “Invisigoths!” in Spain. Can we ignore them?
    • Spain. Visigoths and Unity: Monarchy. Religion. Law.
    • Spain. Visigoths and Jews.
    • Al-Andalus. History of the Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain.
    • Al-Andalus. 8th Century Invasion.
    • Al-Andalus. 8th Century. Consolidation.
    • Al-Andalus. 9th Century.
    • Al-Andalus: 10th Century. Abd al-Rahman III.
    • Al-Andalus. 10th Century. Córdoba and Culture.
    • Al-Andalus. 10th Century. Al-Mansur.
    • Al-Andalus. 11th Century. Taifa kingdoms
    • Almoravids in Al-Andalus. 11th Century.
    • Almohads in Al-Andalus. 12th Century.
    • Al-Andalus: Survival of Granada.
    • Al-Andalus: Economy.
    • Al-Andalus. Dhimmis.
    • Al-Andalus. Muwallads.
    • Al-Andalus. Mozarabs.
    • Mozarabs. Resistance Accommodation.
    • Mozarabs. A Controversial Term.
    • Mudejars. From Survival to Conversion.
    • Moriscos. Their History in Spain.
    • The Story of St. James and The Camino de Santiago.
    • Camino de Santiago. Birth, Rise and Popularity. 9th to 14th Centuries.
    • Camino de Santiago. Decline and Rebirth.
    • Camino de Santiago. Why Santiago de Compostela? Why St. James?
    • Camino de Santiago. Many Routes and Pilgrims.
    • Camino de Santiago. The Role of Royalty.
    • Asturias. León. History of Early Christian kingdoms.
    • Pamplona. Navarre. History of Early Christian kingdoms.
    • Castile. Early History and Formation.
    • Alfonso X, el Sabio 1221-84. Politics.
    • Alfonso X. El Sabio: Language and Law.
    • Alfonso X. El Sabio: Histories and Translations.
    • History of the Jews in Spain to 13th Century.
    • History of the Jews in Spain.14th-Century.
    • History of the Jews in Spain. Early 15th-Century.
    • History of the Jews and Conversos in Spain. 15th Century
    • Conquest of Granada.
    • History of Spain. 16th Century Overview.
    • Ferdinand and Isabella: Catholic Monarchs. Politics.
    • Charles V of Spain. Politics.
    • History of Spain.17th-Century Overview.
    • History of Spain.18th Century. Overview (1)
    • History of Spain.18th Century. Overview (2).
    • History of Spain.19th Century. Overview.
    • Spain’s Peninsular War 1808-14 and the Rise of Liberalism.
    • Spain. Restoration 1875-1902
    • Anarchism in Spain in the 19th Century.
    • History of Spain. 20th Century. Overview.
    • Spain. Political Regeneration and Restoration 1902-23.
    • Spain. Restoration 1902-1931. Alfonso XIII. The Monarchy.
    • Spain. Restoration 1900-1923. The Military.
    • General Miguel Primo de Rivera: The Rise of a Dictator.
    • General Miguel Primo de Rivera: The Fall of a Dictator.
    • Second Spanish Republic 1931-36. History. Overview.
    • Second Spanish Republic 1931-36. Transition to Provisional Government.
    • Second Spanish Republic. The Church June 1931-November 1933.
    • Second Spanish Republic. Agrarian Reform June 1931-November 1933.
    • Second Spanish Republic. Military Reform June 1931-November 1933.
    • Second Spanish Republic. Regional Autonomy. June 1931-November 1933.
    • Second Spanish Republic. 1931-33. Unions and Forces of Order.
    • Casas Viejas, January 1933. A Spanish Tragedy.
    • Second Spanish Republic. Nov 1933-Feb 1936. The Right Takes Charge.
    • Second Spanish Republic. Nov1933-Feb1936. The Left Reacts.
    • Second Spanish Republic. February 1936-July 1936. Prelude to Civil War.
    • Spanish Civil War: An Overview of the Causes.
    • Spanish Civil War. How it all Began: July – August 1936.
    • Spanish Civil War. Objective Madrid.
    • Spanish Civil War. Republican Disunity.
    • Spanish Civil War. International Context.
    • Spanish Civil War. An Uncivil War.
    • Spain after the Civil War. International Relations.
    • Franco Crusader Saviour?
    • The Catholic Church and the Spanish Civil War.
    • The Catholic Church after the Spanish Civil War.
    • CORDOBA. Historical Overview of Europe’s once mightiest City.
    • GRANADA to the 16th century. Muslim and Christian Presence.
    • GRANADA Spain from the 16th to 20th Century.
    • SEVILLE to 1500.
    • SEVILLE. 16th and 17th Centuries.
    • SEVILLE from 1700.
    • TOLEDO. Historical Overview of its Rise, Fall and Rebirth.
    • CATALONIA. Early History to 1000 AD.
    • Catalonia History: 11th and 12th Centuries.
    • Catalonia in the 13th Century. The Age of Expansion.
    • Catalonia in the 14th Century. Political and Social Turmoil.
    • Catalonia. History. 15th Century.
    • Catalonia. History. 18th Century.
    • Catalonia. History. 19th-Century.
    • Catalonia. Renaixença. Cultural Rebirth.
    • Catalonia. Towards a Catalan Voice.
    • Catalonia. History 1900-1923.
    • ARAGON. Early History to 1137.
  • Literature
    • Spanish Literature Overview
    • Al-Andalus. The Rich and Surprising Variety of Love Lyrics.
    • Al Andalus. Homoerotic Poetry. An Unexpected Discovery.
    • Al-Andalus. Nature in Andalusi Poetry. Originality, Variety.
    • Al-Andalus. Women Poets. Surprisingly Independent Voices.
    • The Kharjas: Early Lyrical Poetry in Spain.
    • Cantigas Gallego-Portugesas. Introduction.
    • Cantigas de amigo. Background and Analysis.
    • Cantigas de amigo. Simple Poetry and Complex Structure.
    • El Cid: Brief Biography
    • Poema de Mí­o Cid: Summary of a Self-Made Man’s Life.
    • Poema de Mío Cid: Is the Cid Spain’s Hero?
    • Poema de Mío Cid: Rodrigo de Vivar: A Different Hero.
    • Alfonso X el Sabio and the Cantigas de Sta. María.
    • Book of Good Love: Libro de buen amor. What is it about?
    • Book of Good Love: The Art of Ambiguity.
    • Book of Good Love. Libro de buen amor. Love and seduction.
    • Spanish Ballads. Historical Overview to Civil War 1936-39.
    • Spanish Ballads. Origins. Classification.
    • Spanish Ballads. Metre. Rhyme. Style.
    • Spanish Ballad. De amores trata Rodrigo. Analysis.
    • Spanish Ballad. Encima del duro suelo. Analysis.
    • Spanish Ballad: En Burgos está el buen rey.
    • La Celestina. Summary.
    • La Celestina. Author. Genre. Location.
    • La Celestina. The Upstairs World of Calisto and Melibea.
    • The Downstairs World of Celestina.
    • La Celestina. Challenge and Innovation.
    • La Celestina. Daily Needs and Survival.
    • La Celestina. Interpretation(s).
    • Spain Golden Age Literature. Early Background.
    • Spain Golden Age Literature. Innovations and Originality.
    • Romances of Chivalry. Definition and Characteristics.
    • Amadis of Gaul. Summary.
    • Amadis of Gaul. The Art of Storytelling.
    • Romances of Chivalry. Why were they so popular in Spain?
    • Spain. Romances of Chivalry. Decline of a Popular Genre.
    • Garcilaso de la Vega 1501?-1536. Life and Fame.
    • Garcilaso de la Vega. Poetic Innovations.
    • Garcilaso de la Vega. Sonnet 1. Cuando me paro … Analysis.
    • Garcilaso de la Vega. En tanto que de rosa… Analysis.
    • Lazarillo de Tormes: Summary.
    • Lázaro: The Letter Writer.
    • Lazarillo. Cynic, Saint. Knight?
    • Lazarillo de Tormes and Reality.
    • Fray Luis de León 1527-91. Life and Work.
    • Fray Luis de León. Noche Serena and the Path to Truth.
    • San Juan de la Cruz: Noche oscura. Analysis.
    • San Juan de la Cruz . Llama de amor viva. Analysis.
    • Góngora. Brief Biography of a Gambler, Rebel, Poet.
    • Luis de Góngora. Andeme yo caliente/…1581
    • Góngora. Mientras por competir… Analysis.
    • Góngora and Gongorismo or the Art of Obscurity.
    • Quevedo: Poderoso caballero… Analysis.
    • Quevedo: ¡Ah de la vida!…
    • Quevedo. Bermejazo platero de las cumbres.
    • Quevedo. El Buscón. Introduction and Language.
    • Quevedo. El Buscón. Why is the Role of Conversos Important?
    • Quevedo. El Buscón. Book I. Summary.
    • Quevedo. El Buscón. Book II. Summary.
    • Quevedo. El Buscón. Book III. Summary.
    • Alemán. Guzmán de Alfarache. Introduction.
    • Alemán. Guzman de Alfarache. New Epic or Novel?
    • Alemán. Guzmán de Alfarache. From Equality to Heroism.
    • Cervantes. Life. Part I. 1547-80.
    • Cervantes. Life. Part II. 1580-1616.
    • Cervantes: What is it about Titles?
    • Cervantes: What is it about the title “Don Quixote”?
    • Don Quixote Part I (1605). Summary.
    • Don Quixote Part II (1615): Summary.
    • Don Quixote: A Famous Failure.
    • Don Quixote. Hero or Fool?
    • Don Quixote and the Real World. Part I (1605).
    • Don Quixote and the Real World. Part II (1615).
    • Don Quixote’s Squire Sancho Panza.
    • Don Quixote. An Authoritarian’s Nightmare.
    • Don Quixote: The “True”Story
    • Don Quixote. Hero or Religious Extremist?
    • Lope de Vega. Fuenteovejuna. Summary.
    • Calderón. La vida es sueño. Summary.
    • Life is a Dream. La Vida es Sueño. Act I. Scenes 1 to 4.
    • Tirso de Molina. EL Burlador de Sevilla. Summary.
    • Don Juan…the Devil
    • Tirso de Molina. Burlador de Sevilla. Don Juan and Honour.
    • Generation of 1898. What Does the Term Mean?
    • Generation of 1898. Precursors and the “Problem of Spain.”
    • Angel Ganivet (1865-1898). Idearium español. 1897.
    • Lorca: The House of Bernarda Alba. Summary Act I.
    • Lorca: The House of Bernarda Alba. Summary. Acts II and III.
    • Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba: The House.
    • Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba. Characters: Bernarda.
    • Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba. Characters: Bernarda’s Daughters.
    • Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba. Characters: La Poncia.
    • Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba. Characters: Pepe el Romano.
  • Travel
    • Spanish Travel Overiew
    • General Map of Spain.
    • Geography of Spain.
    • The Spanish Coast.
    • Spain. The North Coast.
    • Las Rías
    • Spanish Coast. La Costa Verde.
    • Spanish Coast. La Costa Vasca.
    • Spanish Coast. La Costa Cantábrica.
    • Spain. The Mediterranean Coast.
    • La Costa de la Luz
    • Spain. Mountains.
    • Spain. The Meseta.
    • Spain. Rivers.
    • Spain. Water Problems. Drought, Irrigation and Protection.
    • Spain: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
    • Visiting Córdoba, a “Silent” City with Dazzling Sights.
    • Visiting Toledo. A Journey into the History of a Country.
    • Travel Itinerary: 2013 Trip to Spain.
    • Travel 2013: Barcelona Arrival
    • Travel 2013. Day 1. Barcelona
    • Travel 2013. Day 2. Barcelona
    • Travel 2013. Day 3. Barcelona to Cuenca
    • Travel 2013. Day 4. Cuenca to Granada
    • Travel 2013. Day 5 (1). Granada
    • Granada. Spain. Travel 2013. Day 5. Royal Chapel, Albaicín.
    • Travel 2013. Day 6. Las Alpujarras
    • Travel 2013. Day 7. Granada La Hoya
    • Travel 2013. Day 8. La Hoya to Carmona
    • Travel 2013. Day 9 (1). Carmona Seville
    • Travel 2013. Day 9 (2) Seville
    • Travel 2013. Day 10 (1) Carmona Córdoba
    • Travel 2013. Day 10 (2) Cordoba Almagro
    • Travel 2013. Day 11. Almagro to Madrid
    • Travel 2013. Day 12 (1) Madrid
    • Travel 2013. Day 12 (2) Madrid
    • Travel 2013. Day 13 Madrid to Segovia
    • Travel 2013. Day 14 Segovia El Burgo de Osma
    • Travel 2013 Day 15 Berlanga, Baudelio, Gormaz
    • Travel 2013. Day 15 (2) Calatañazor
    • Travel 2013. Day 16. Burgo de O to Sos del Rey
    • Travel 2013. Day 17 Sos and Leyre Monastery
    • Travel 2013 Day 18. San Juan de la Peña and Alquézar
    • Travel 2013. Day 19. Alquézar
    • Travel 2017: Itinerary and Arrival.
    • Travel 2017. Day 1. Madrid Bilbao.
    • Travel 2017. Day 2. Bilbao, Guggenheim Museum. Argoños
    • Travel 2017. Day 3. Argoños.
    • Travel 2017. Day 4. Santillana del Mar.
    • Travel 2017. Day 5. Comillas. Gaudí’s El Capricho.
    • Travel 2017. Day 6. Bárcena Mayor.
    • Travel 2017. Day 7. Santillana to Oviedo.
    • Travel 2017. Day 8. Oviedo Bárzana.
    • Travel 2017. Day 9. Oviedo Ribadeo.
    • Spain. Climate, Weather Patterns, Heatwaves and Solutions.
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