Tag Archives: Spain

October 10, 2022 · 5:35 am

Transatlantic 2022 — Palma de Mallorca; Arrival and Bellver Castle


Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Ursula and I visited Palma de Mallorca, Spain, twice in May. Our first arrival was on 12 May during our transatlantic cruise. The second was during our eight-day Mediterranean cruise just five days later. On that first visit we took a tour, and on the second we hoofed it off Vision of the Seas for a brief walk out of the port area and back. We’ll get to the 12 May tour in a moment, but first I’m going to show you some images taken on 17 May from aboard Vision:

Puerto de Palma
Royal Palace of La Almudaina (left); Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca (right)
Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca (left); Diocesan Museum of Barcelona (right)

The cathedral and palace imaged above? We’ll be getting to those starting on Wednesday. As for today, we’re heading out to the first stop on our 12 May tour — Castell de Bellver (Bellver Castle).

Castell de Bellver

If Bellver Castle looks round in the photos below, that’s because it is. Here’s a Google Maps aerial view of Bellver Castle:

Bellver Castle (Google Maps satellite view)

Construction of Bellver Castle began in 1300 and was completed in 1311. I would have enjoyed photographing the open space in the center of Bellver, but visitors were barred from entry on this visit as the castle was being readied for an event.

The closest I got to photographing the interior

Below is a series of exterior shots:

Castell de Bellver (Bellver Castle)
Castell de Bellver (Bellver Castle)
Castell de Bellver (Bellver Castle)
Castell de Bellver (Bellver Castle)

Today a castle. Wednesday a palace. Looking forward to presenting to you the Royal Palace of La Almudaina then.

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

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October 7, 2022 · 5:35 am

Fun Photo Friday — Transatlantic 2022; Valencia and Sagunto favorites 4


Today’s Fun Photo Friday concludes our visit to Valencia and Sagunto, Spain. Next week we move on to another destination that we visited twice this trip — once on the transatlantic voyage, and again five days later on a Mediterranean cruise. Until then, here are some more Valencia and Sagunto favorites:

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October 5, 2022 · 5:35 am

Transatlantic 2022 — Valencia, Sagunto’s Roman Theatre


Roman Theatre, Sagunto, Spain

The uphill trek we were warned about wasn’t nearly as bad as our guide intimated. After traveling through the old town, with a stop along the way at the Archeological History Museum, we made it barely winded. We now were approaching the Sagunto Roman Theatre, an 8,000-seat amphitheater used today. And if the theater doesn’t look all that old to you, that’s because it was given a controversial restoration/facelift in 1994.

Sagunto Roman Theatre — New sits atop old

The image above is the façade facing north toward the town of Sagunto. We’re going to make our way around the left side, where you’ll find the entrance looking much as it has for centuries:

Sagunto Roman Theatre entrance

Before we step inside, take a look over that wall to the left (above) and peer down into the medieval Jewish Quarter of Sagunto:

Sagunto’s Medieval Jewish Quarter

Inside the amphitheater with its restored stage you’ll find a contrasting blend of old versus new:

The theater’s restored seating area:

Sagunto Roman Theatre seating area

Time to head back down the hill and rejoin the remainder of our group awaiting us in Plaza Mayor. On the way back, we’ll look up to the castle, down toward Santa María, and take in some street scenes:

Sagunto Castle sits just above the Roman Theatre
You cannot get a complete view of Santa María except from here
Old town view in Sagunto

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