Last week I returned from a 6 and a half days trip to Spain. I stayed for 3 days in the little city of Salamanca (150.000 inhabitants), and then I visited Madrid for another 3 and a half days. One of those days in Madrid, though, I took the chance to visit Toledo, the great medieval city that was once the capital of Spain and just a 30 minutes' trip by high speed train.

The whole experience was amazing. Spain is a wonderful country, as beautiful and stylish as Italy, and very cheap, much cheaper than Greece. My staying was really comfortable, since the Spaniards are hospitable and willing to help at any chance. The food was really tasty, and cheap. Actually, "cheap" is the key word!

I cannot describe the amazing stuff I saw in the museums and art galleries such as Prado, Museo Reina Sofia and the house of El Greco. I will never forget being face to face with "Las Meninas", the "Guernica", or the works of Goya and El Greco. Architecture was virtually everywhere, so it is needless for me to say that from one point and on I only shot what I thought to be the best, and not what I liked (which was pretty much everything!) So, enjoy the tour!

Salamanca

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC04933.jpg


Plaza Mayor de Salamanca

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC04946.jpg


Casa de las Conchas

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC04954.jpg


Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC04963.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC04964.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC04966.jpg


The view from El Rio Tormes

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC04995.jpg


Art Nouveau sculpture

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC04996.jpg


Catedral de Salamanca

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05006.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05009.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05016-19.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05029.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05056.jpg


View of Salamanca's old town from the Cathedral

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05062.jpg


View of the Cathedral from Convento de San Esteban

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05101.jpg


Convento de San Esteban

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05111.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05127.jpg


Domus Artium 2002 - Museum of Modern Art of Salamanca and former prison

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05169.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05176.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05180.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05182.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05188.jpg

Madrid

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05200.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05211.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05224.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05229.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05238.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05258.jpg


El Rastro trade fair

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05209.jpg


Jardin de las Vistillas

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05244.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05246.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05252.jpg


Catedral de la Almudena

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05266.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05279.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05283.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05287.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05301.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05323.jpg


Palacio Real

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05324.jpg


Towers in Plaza de Espana

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05361.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05393.jpg


Templo de Debod - Egyptian temple that was transfered from Egypt after the flooding of Assuan

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05369.jpg


Buildings in Gran Via

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05401.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05404.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05407.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05419.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05421.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05423.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05426.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05434.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05437.jpg


"Palace" of Telecommunications

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05447.jpg


"El Abrajo" sculpture

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05656.jpg


Museo Reina Sofia

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05703.jpg


Estacion de Atocha

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05470.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05478.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05479.jpg

Estacion de Toledo

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05508.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05509.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05511.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05513.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05525.jpg


The medieval town

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05539.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05540.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05546.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05552.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05557.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05627.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05653.jpg


Catedral de Toledo

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05565.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05579.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05580.jpg


Casa de El Greco - Museum/House of El Greco

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05635.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05640.jpg


Sinagoga del Transito - Sephardite Museum

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05648.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05651.jpg

Aeropuerto Barajas - Terminal 4

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05714.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05717.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05720.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05721.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05731.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/Spain/DSC05734.jpg

^^ Amazing pictures! Thanks for the tour. Spain is a great country. :cheers:

Excellent pictures arxitektonas. Spain is among the finest places to visit and these pictures prove it. Thank you very much for this photo-reportage, which is worth multiple visits!!!

Thanks a lot, Arxitektonas. Spain looks amazing and the architecture of the old buildings over there is stunning.

Incredible! Thank you!

More than excellent photos,really made me wanna visit Spain again.So much to discover.Thank you.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. Spain is, indeed, a wonderful country, and I barely got to see only a small part of it. The Atocha Rail Station and the buildings in the Gran Via were among the best urban elements I've seen in my life. Especially the Gran Via, a street as wide as Patision Avenue in Athens, had smooth flow of traffic, wide sidewalks and the buildings were twice as tall as the ones in Athens, althought most of them were built in the period 1920-1950, and all of this in the historic core of the city. I couldn't resist making the comparison and daydream how it would be if the spanish Gran Via was the greek Patision.

Given my experience living and visiting foreign capitals, I think that if we could copy some elements from abroad, we should copy the archeological spaces of Rome, combined with the historic core of Madrid and the new architecture of Berlin. Athens bears many similarities with these 3 cities, both in terms of population size as in terms of built environment. The combination of these 3 could quite easily be our aim if we ever wanted to see our city being a truly European capital.

PS: and of course copying the law-abiding stance and the urban culture that the inhabitants of these cities have, would be a prerequisite.

Amazing photos Arxitektonas!!! You're a great photographer! I miss Spain so much. :(

Here are some panoramas I made by photomerging some pictures. Some, are ideal for banners.


Salamanca

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/DSC05057-61.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/DSC05071-72.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/DSC04983-87.jpg


Plaza Mayor de Salamanca

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/DSC04936-42.jpg


Madrid

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/DSC05382-86.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/DSC05316-20.jpg


Palacio Real de Madrid

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/DSC05306-12.jpg


Estacion de Atocha - Madrid

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/DSC05487-91.jpg


Toledo

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Arxitektonas/DSC05620-26.jpg

Και πάλι ΠΟΛΛΑ συγχαρητήρια!!! Καταπληκτικές φωτογραφίες, και ιδίως τα πανοράματα!!!

Μπράβο και πάλι! Το 'χεις!
Παρεμπειτόντως, σήμερα, εντελώς τυχαία ανακάλυψα ένα πανόραμα που είχα κάνει εγώ στη Μαδρίτη το 2010

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg140/scaled.php?server=140&filename=panorama2s.jpg&res=medium

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1662/panorama2s.jpg

Ωραία παρουσίαση των τριών πόλεων. Ειδικά τη Σαλαμάνκα δεν την είχα ξαναδεί! Από τη Μαδρίτη όμως παρέλειψες να φωτογραφήσεις το εκτενέστατο, αν και όχι και τόσο εμφανίσιμο, μετρό. :)
Όντως η Gran Via είναι μοναδική. Όταν είχα πάει στη Μαδρίτη είχα στραβολαιμιάσει κοιτάζοντας προς τα πάνω! Όμως λόγω της κεντρικής θέσης θα την παρομοίαζα με την Πανεπιστημίου και όχι με την Πατησίων. :cool:

Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ και χρόνια πολλά! Καλή χρονιά να έχουμε, και ψηλή, σε όλους τους τομείς!

@ovem Σ'ευχαριστώ πολύ, αν και το δικό σου πανόραμα είναι απλά respect! Που το έβγαλες βρε θηρίο;

@nastyathenian Όντως, από άποψη σημασίας θα έλεγα ότι η Gran Via είναι το αντίστοιχο της Πανεπιστημίου, ωστόσο μου ήρθε η Πατησίων γιατί μοιάζουν αρκετά από άποψη πλάτους και κτισμένου δυναμικού. Πάνω κάτω τα κτήρια είναι της ίδιας περιόδου, και η κίνηση σε οχήματα παρόμοια. Και κάπου εκεί βεβαίως τελειώνουν και οι ομοιότητες. Σε ζητήματα καθαριότητας, ζωντάνιας καταστημάτων, κόσμου που περπατάει στα πεζοδρόμια και αρχιτεκτονικής κτηρίων, η σύγκριση είναι απλά για κλάματα.

To πανόραμα το έβγαλα απο την ταράτσα ενός κτιρίου που λέγεται Circulo de Bellas Artes και είναι στην αρχή της Gran Via. :)