Recent Articles
The Martyrs of 1809
While exploring the area around Barcelona Cathedral, I came upon this moving monument tucked into a quiet square beside the cathedral walls. Like so many monuments I encounter while traveling, it encouraged me to stop and learn the story behind it. This memorial honors the Martyrs of 1809, a group of Catalan patriots who were […]
The Door of the Passion Façade
While most visitors are naturally drawn to the soaring towers of the Sagrada Família, I found myself stopping to study one of its bronze entrance doors. At first, it appears to be nothing more than a collection of letters, but looking more closely, I realized that every letter has been carefully placed to tell a […]
The Ancient Synagogue
While exploring Barcelona, one of the places we specifically wanted to visit was the Ancient Synagogue in the heart of the city’s medieval Jewish Quarter. Tucked away on a narrow stone street in El Call, it is easy to miss if you don’t know it is there. Standing before this modest building, it is difficult […]
Gaudi’s Workshop
Standing beside the magnificent Sagrada Família is a building that many visitors walk past without realizing its significance. This modest stone structure is Gaudí’s workshop, where one of the world’s greatest architectural masterpieces has taken shape for more than a century. When Antoni Gaudí devoted himself entirely to the Sagrada Família in 1914, this workshop […]
Le Monumental Bullring
As we made our way to the airport, our driver pointed out this impressive circular building and explained that it was once Barcelona’s famous bullfighting arena. Although I had not planned to visit it, learning its story offered another glimpse into the changing culture and traditions of Spain. Known as La Monumental, the arena opened […]
Statue of Ramon Berenguer III
As we explored the streets of Barcelona, I stopped in front of this impressive equestrian statue to learn more about the man it honored. One of the things I enjoy most when traveling is discovering the people who shaped the places I visit. Every monument has a story, and this one led me to one […]
Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba
Years ago, Marty and I drove around Spain seeing some amazing sites. Here in Córdoba, we visited the remarkable Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, known in Spain as the Mezquita-Catedral. Standing beneath its seemingly endless forest of columns and distinctive red-and-white arches, we found ourselves surrounded by one of the most extraordinary architectural treasures in the world. […]
Park Guell
Standing in front of this building was like stepping into another world. The flowing curves, textured stonework, colorful mosaics and dreamlike architecture reveal that this is the work of the visionary architect Antoni Gaudi. Visiting Park Guell is where the line between architecture, sculpture and fantasy blur. Located in the hills overlooking the city of Barcelona, Park Guell was envisioned in […]
Columbus Sculpture
There is a gift that certain artists have, the ability to capture a moment so completely that the story is understood before it is explained. That is how I felt standing before the Columbus sculpture at the Museum of Jewish History in Girona. Created by Frank Meisler in 1994, this is not a single image, but […]
“La Verema”
It was great to spend a day in Sitges, exploring a new town after teaching in Barcelona. The views of the Mediterranean stretched out endlessly shifting in color with the light. Walking along the beach was refreshing and a quiet transition for our time in Barcelona. Sitges is a town of white buildings against the blue of […]
Sagrada Familia
We visited the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona again in 2025, the year they projected to have the cathedral completed. Over the years of visiting the city, we have watched this magnificent cathedral grow from the vision of Antoni Gaudi. What makes this experience unique is that it is not a finished monument, but a living […]
Macia Memorial
There are so many extraordinary highlights from our travels to Barcelona, but today, I want to share this structure that stands in the largest plaza in the city. As we traveled around the city, we often passed it. I took pictures because I was so curious about who the bust of the man was and […]
