Category: Cultural

Enclosures of Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain

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The walls and the towers ‘albarranas’ of Talavera de la Reina is a defense system that protected the town in the province of Toledo, Spain, and counted on three walled enclosures, the roads were tangential to the Arab fortress but nowadays, there is only a large part of the first enclosure, the oldest, and some remains of the second. “La Villa” (first enclosure) was built in the IX-X centuries by Arabians possibly following the path of a Roman or Visigoth wall. Its main material are stone blocks, there are a lot of reused Roman remains there, even printed stones of that time; and rough stones. We also find semi-circular and square towers; these being the oldest towers and other flanking the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Unfortunately, the doors do not exist except for the remains of one of the semi-circular towers of the Door of Mérida. There still has a shield and a Virgin who presided the Door of  St-Peter, but they were put in the Basilica of Prado. The second walls (XII) protected the Major cities or New ones and the third (XIII) surrounded the old towns. The second enclosure still retained some of the early ones alongside the citadel, and the door of Seville (XVI); the Powder Tower, a part of the door Zamora and a tower in San Miguel Square. The third will keep several coats of arms of the Door of Cuarto and some traces of the foundation. This kind of construction attached to the first fortifications meant that Talavera was considered one of the safest cities for centuries.

Tips

The walls and towers are on free access. It is a walk that can be done without a guide as there are indicators and panels with photos and explanations.
Talavera de la Reina has a tourist office where you can request more information.

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Neuschwanstein Castle, Allgäu, Germany

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Neuschwanstein Castle is located on a high rocky outcrop 200 meters near Füssen, in the Allgäu, Germany. Louis II of Bavaria order to build it in the 19th century, at the site of two ancient castles. He asked Richard Wagner, his friend, to come to live with him. In 1884, Louis II stablished in the Palace but died two years later. After his mysterious death, the castle was opened to the public, although it was not yet finished. The initial project was more ambitious, but the Bavarian State decided not to pursue the work after the death of the King. It was built largely in the late Romanesque style from the beginning of the 13th century. Noted in the construction of the building as well as in its ornamentation: portals arches, arcades of windows and towers, the position of columns and pinnacles. The housing of the king rooms and rooms of pageantry of the third and fourth floors were more or less completed at his death. The rooms on the second floor are always bare brick and are not visited. The castle is an example of eclectic architecture of the romantic era. Walt Disney is inspired by this castle to create the castle at the first Disneyland opened in California in 1955, becoming also the logo of Walt Disney Studios and its subsidiaries. It receives over one million three hundred thousand visitors per year.

Tips

Before going to the Castle, you will need to get the tickets in Hohenschwangau castle below. The ticket you will make a guided tour (only way to be able to visit it) has the right time you must respect, in case of delay, you may not participate.

If you like taking pictures, you can just do it outside the Castle, even for video-films.

Big bags, luggage, strollers-children, are not allowed in the Castle.You should leave your belongings in a small space but nobody assumes responsibility for these objects.

Children and young people under the age of 18, do not pay.

If you like castles, there are annual or multi-year tickets that will allow you to visit more than 40 places of Bavaria.

If you wish, you can see a film about the life of the King at the end of your visit.

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Tower Bridge, London, England

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The Tower Bridge is a historic fortress located on the north bank of the River Thames in London, England. The tower is located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets located east of the city of London in a space known as Tower Hill. Its construction began in 1066. at the time of the Norman Conquest of England. William the conqueror in 1078, had built the White Tower which gave its name to the castle. As early as 1100, it was used as a prison while he served as a royal residence and grand palace. There were several phases of expansion, but it was mainly formed by several buildings surrounded by two concentric defensive walls and a moat. The Tower served as an armory, a menagerie, a treasury, welcomed the Royal Mint, the archives and the British Crown jewels. 112 people were executed there over a period of 400 years at the north of the tower. During the two world wars the tower was used as a prison again and 12 more executions took place. The tower has been repaired after World War II and was reopened to the public, being classified in the world heritage of the UNESCO. The tower, which controlled traffic on the Thames consists of three walls. It is a place of essential interest for millions of tourists who visit the city.

Tips

If you buy the ticket on Internet, you will pay a little less than if you would do on the spot. It will be good for a week from the date of purchase. You will be also asked to make a contribution for repairs of the place and its maintenance as the site receives nothing from the authorities; it is an organization, Historic Royal Palaces Enterprises Ltd, that operates only with what they get with the visit of tourists and their donations. They deal also with other historical sites.
You can also rent audio-guides in different languages.
The site has 5 shops that offer different products and there are also cafes and restaurants to enjoy a full day.
There is a legend that says that the Kingdom will be over if ever the ravens residents leave the Tower of London; you can also admire them during your visit.