Gayle Brennan Spencer – sending random thoughts to and from South Austin
Kind of like the grass is always greener, there’s always a bigger fish.
But the older you get, it seems time is the biggest fish.
Continue reading “Postcard from Valladolid, Spain: Always a bigger fish”
Above, Plaza Mayor during the final week of San Pedro Regalado
Below is the spectacular view of Valladolid’s Main Plaza from our rental when we first arrived in the city. We were in the heart of the city, yet our apartment was surprisingly quiet… for several days.
Continue reading “Postcard from Valladolid, Spain: Thrust into the thick of things”
Above, Iglesia de San Pablo
Valladolid was flourishing in the 15th century when Isabella I, Queen of Castile, married King Ferdinand of Aragon in the city – an elopement with private ceremonies, as they were second cousins. With the city a favored spot for the Catholic royal family members to hold court, Pope Clement VIII elevated it to a bishopric, the center of an archdiocese.
Bolstered by this recognition, city fathers launched efforts to build a suitable cathedral, the largest in Europe. Architect Juan de Herrera (1530-1597) was commissioned for the design of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion. Despite Herrera’s death, completion appeared possible with the official establishment of Valladolid as the capital of Spain by King Philip III (1578-1621) in 1601.
The rosy future dissipated as a royal advisor standing to personally benefit through his real estate holdings persuaded Philip of the need to move the capital back to Madrid in 1606. The cathedral budget was slashed – about 60 percent.
Continue reading “Postcard from Valladolid, Spain: Iglesias and a maligned queen”
Postcards from Barton Springs 