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Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira: A Well Like No Other
Descend into the mysterious Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira, a remarkable inverted tower hidden beneath the Sintra Hills. Journey through its nine spiral levels to the symbolic mosaic floor, then explore the maze of underground tunnels leading to the lesser-known Unfinished Well and other intriguing destinations within the estate.
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Real Alcázar of Seville: Casa de Contratación (House of Trade)
Situated on the eastern side of the Patio de la Montería and next to the glamorous Pedro I Palace in the Real Alcázar complex, Casa de Contratación is an unremarkable Renaissance-style building. By its appearance, it is hard to imagine that the decisions made here changed the course of history. It was here many famous and infamous seafarers got approval and funding for their expeditions and brought back the looted riches from the New World. Many European countries who followed in the footsteps of Casa de Contratación to create their trade organizations – such as the East India companies – eventually ended up colonizing a large part of the world, to the detriment of indigenous people and their culture all over the world.
The original building that housed the Casa de Contratación had three halls, two of which have been well-preserved. These are the Admiral’s Hall and the Hall of Audiences. This page describes them with images of their interior and the paintings on display on their walls.
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Real Alcázar of Seville: Pedro I Palace
A masterpiece of Mudéjar art and architecture The palace of Pedro I is considered a masterpiece of Mudéjar art and architecture and is a testament to Spain’s multicultural roots. It owes its name to King Don Pedro (1350 – 1369), an eccentric ruler of Castile and Leon known for his cruelty and also known for … Read more
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Las Setas of Seville – A modern artistic structure in a historical city
Whether you love it or hate it, this unique and futuristic-looking structure, popularly known as Las Setas of Seville, stands in stark contrast to the rest of Seville that prides itself on world-famous historical monuments. Because it resembles mushrooms, it got its name Las Setas, which means ‘The Mushrooms’ in Spanish. However, it is officially … Read more
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La Giralda: A harmonious blend of Moorish and Renaissance architectural styles
The magnificent campanile of the Seville Cathedral When you look at the Giralda, it is hard to imagine that it is a product of two entirely different cultures. The lower half is part of the minaret built in the 13th century by the Almohads – a Moorish dynasty originated from North Africa. The upper half … Read more
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Delphi
Located on the slopes of Mount Parnassos in central Greece, Delphi was best known for its oracle in ancient times. Ancient Greeks treated this site with great reverence as it overlooks a spectacular and awe-inspiring landscape. Delphi was unique in that it was not a city-state but a religious center that was administered by an … Read more
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Athens
A Modern City with a Glorious Past Known as the birthplace of democracy, Athens is a city with a long and glorious past, which started as early as 1400 BCE as an important center of the Mycenaean civilization. Athens is where western civilization took roots. At its heyday, Athens was the leader of the Greek city-states. … Read more
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Crete
Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Crete is the biggest island in the Aegean Sea. This is where the Minoan civilization, a mysterious culture that was well ahead of their time, thrived more than 4000 years ago. Crete has many archaeological sites belonging to the Minoan civilization, including palaces at the following … Read more
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Greek Islands
The blue waters of the Aegean Sea are home to a large number of islands belonging to Greece. Only 227 among them are inhabited. Each inhabited island has its own legend, history, and culture. Crete, which was home to the Minoan civilization, is the largest and Santorini is the most popular. Mykonos The island of Mykonos … Read more
