Steve's Genealogy Blog

Can Marí§a Caves, Ibiza, Spain

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Steve

The Spanish island of Ibiza (Eivissa in the native language of Catalan) lies 79 km off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea . The Can Marí§a Caves, near the city of San Miguel, are a popular tourist attraction . Once used by smugglers to store their goods, the caves are a cool respite from the midday heat . The guided tour of the caves ends with a staged light, and sound show at an artificial waterfall . The approach to the caves provides an incredible view of Puerto de San Miguel and the Ibiza Wall Lizards (Podarcis pityusensis) watch the tourists as the tourists view the sights.

Can Marí§a Caves

SOURCE: Â Can Marí§a CavesÂ (San Miguel, Ibiza, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 05 August 2011.

Waterfall in Can Marí§a Caves

SOURCE: Waterfall in Can Marí§a Caves (San Miguel, Ibiza, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 05 August 2011.

Puerto de San Miguel

SOURCE: Â Puerto de San MiguelÂ (San Miguel, Ibiza, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 05 August 2011.

Ibiza Wall Lizard (Podarcis pityusensis)

SOURCE: Ibiza Wall Lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) (San Miguel, Ibiza, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 05 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Ibiza, Mediterranean Vacation, Spain | Comments Off

Monuments, Tombs, Art, and Devotion in Monserrat, Spain

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Steve

In the Basilica de Santa Maria de Montserrat are the tombs of Don Juan de Aragon, Prince of the Royal House of Catalonia, and BernatÂ II Vilamari, a Spanish Admiral who served the King of Aragon and the King of Naples and died in 1512 . There is also a sculpture of King John I (Joan I), friend of Montserrat . Outside the Basilica stands a sculpture of Saint George by Josep Maria Subirachs, the same sculptor whose works are seen on the Passion Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona . Note that, even with the photo of Saint George, as you move from left to right, Saint George’s face seems to move to follow you . Finally, we leave Montserrat by lighting a devotional candle in the Ave Maria Path.

Tomb of Don Juan de Aragon

SOURCE: Tomb of Don Juan de Aragon (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Tomb of Bernat II Vilamari

SOURCE: Tomb of Bernat II Vilamari (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

King John I

SOURCE: King John I (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Saint George

SOURCE: Â Saint GeorgeÂ (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The Ave Maria Path

SOURCE: The Ave Maria Path (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Mediterranean Vacation, Montserrat, Spain | Comments Off

Chapels in the Montserrat Basilica, Montserrat, Spain

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Steve

In addition to the famous Black Madonna, the Virgin of Montserrat in the sanctuary of the Mare de Deu de Montserrat, the Basilica of Santa Maria de Montserrat includes side chapels lining the walls on both sides of the basilica . These includeÂ a chapelÂ displaying the Montserrat Pieta by Arimani, a chapel with a painting of the Flight into Egypt by Josep Cusachs, the Chapel of the Holy Christ with a crucifix by Josep Llimona, and the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception designed by Josep M. Pericas.

The Montserrat Pieta

SOURCE: The Montserrat Pieta (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The Flight into Egypt

SOURCE: The Flight into Egypt (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The Holy Christ

SOURCE: TheÂ Holy ChristÂ (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception

SOURCE: The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Mediterranean Vacation, Montserrat, Spain | 2 Comments

Monasterio de Santa Maria de Montserrat, Montserrat, Spain

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Steve

Once at the Monastery of Saint Mary of Montserrat, one approaches the basilica from Plaza de Santa Maria, enters a roofless, interior courtyard, and then enters the basilica itself . Above the doorways to the basilica is a bas relief depiction of Christ and the Apostles . Above the main altar hangs a crucifix with an ivory sculpture of Christ attributed to Michelangelo . Behind and above the altar, one can see an arched window opening to the Black Madonna of Monterrat, commonly known as La Moreneta (The Dark-Skinned One).

Approaching the Basilica of Montserrat from Plaza de Santa Maria

SOURCE: Approaching the Basilica of Montserrat from Plaza de Santa Maria (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

In the Courtyard before the Basilica of Montserrat

SOURCE: In the Courtyard before the Basilica of Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Christ and the Apostles above the Door to the Basilica of Montserrat

SOURCE: Christ and the Apostles above the Door to the Basilica of Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Inside the Basilica of Montserrat

SOURCE: Inside the Basilica of Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Mediterranean Vacation, Montserrat, Spain | Comments Off

Montserrat, Spain

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Steve

From Barcelona, my journey took me to Montserrat, site of a monastery high in the mountains . The views were magnificent.

Monasterio de San Benito de Montserrat

SOURCE: Monasterio de San Benito de Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Rocks and Arches

SOURCE: Â Rocks and ArchesÂ (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

View Area at Montserrat

SOURCE: Â ViewÂ Area atÂ Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The View from Montserrat

SOURCE: Â The View fromÂ Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Mediterranean Vacation, Montserrat, Spain | Comments Off

The Nativity Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Steve

The Nativity Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain was completed between 1894 and 1930 . The architect, Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), designed La Sagrada Familia in Art Nouveau style and the Nativity Facade does not fail to astonish the visitors to the Basilica . Various scenes from Christ’s birth and early life are depicted, including the Annunciation, theÂ Wedding of Mary and Joseph, and the Presentation in the Temple . A sculpture of the Coronation of Mary is also depicted on this facade.

The Annunciation

SOURCE: The Annunciation (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

TheÂ Wedding of Mary and Joseph

SOURCE: TheÂ Wedding of Mary and Joseph (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The Presentation in the Temple

SOURCE: The Presentation in the Temple (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The Coronation of Mary

SOURCE: The Coronation of Mary (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Barcelona, Mediterranean Vacation, Spain | 1 Comment

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Steve

The single sight that no tourist can miss in Barcelona, Spain is the Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family, better known as La Sagrada Familia . Â Begun in 1882, the church was originally intended to be a traditional Gothic structure designedÂ by Francisco de Paula del Villar . Antoni Gaudi assumed responsibility for the project in 1883 and changed the design to an Art Nouveau style . The Passion Facade of the Basilica faces the setting sun andÂ is decorated with scenes from the Passion of Christ . Completed after Gaudi’s death, the sculptures on the Passion Facade were constructed by a team of sculptors headed by Josep Maria Subirachs in angular forms that are quite different from the style of Gaudi.

La Sagrada Familia

SOURCE: Â La Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

LaÂ Sagrada Familia from a Distance

SOURCE: Â La Sagrada Familia from a DistanceÂ (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Calvary

SOURCE: Â Calvary (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The Crucifixion

SOURCE: TheÂ Crucifixion (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Barcelona, Mediterranean Vacation, Spain | Comments Off

Views of Monaco

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Steve

The last photos of Monaco I have are thee panoramic views of the Principality taken from the Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville . They include views of Port Hercule and the high-rises (La Condamine and Monte Carlo), a relatively new area reclaimed from the sea in the 1970s (Fontvieille), and a more sweeping view of the Southwest (Fontvieille and La Colle) . Finally, as our coach was leaving Monaco, one passenger noted a traffic sign that was so complex, he commented, “That’s why we leave the driving to them!”

La Condamine, Port Hercule, and Monte Carlo

SOURCE: La Condamine, Port Hercule, andÂ Monte CarloÂ (La Condamine and Monte-Carlo, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Fontvieille

SOURCE: Fontvieille (Fontvieille, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Fontvieille and La Colle

SOURCE: Fontvieille and La ColleÂ (Fontvieille and La Colle, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Leave the Driving to Them!

SOURCE: Leave the Driving to Them! (Fontvieille, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Mediterranean Vacation, Monaco | Comments Off

The Grand Casino and Other Buildings in Monaco

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Steve

With visions of James Bond, the one place I wanted to visit in Monaco was the Grand Casino . I was surprised at how small the casino actually was, but impressed by its elegance . Unfortunately, the only photo I took was from the side, not the grand entrance . Other impressive structures were the National Council building where Monaco’s parliament meets, the Courthouse, and theÂ Oceanographic Museum once directed by Jacques Cousteau.

The Grand Casino in Monte Carlo

SOURCE: The Grand Casino in Monte Carlo (Monte-Carlo, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

The National Council Building

SOURCE: The National Council Building (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

The Monaco Courthouse

SOURCE: The National Council Building (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

The Oceanographic Museum

SOURCE: TheÂ Oceanographic MuseumÂ (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Mediterranean Vacation, Monaco | Comments Off

Princely Residences in Monaco

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Steve

The Prince’s Palace in Monaco was originally built in 1191 as a fortress and has been in the possession of the Grimaldi family since 1297 . Today, it is the home of Prince Albert II and his wife Princess Charlene who were married with a civil ceremony on 01 July 2011 and a religious ceremony on 02 July 2011 . TheÂ palace is guarded by sentries on constant duty . Near the entrance to the palace stands a sculpture with notations “Tribute of foreign colonists to His Serene Highness Prince Albert I on the occasion of his 25 years of rule,” and “Science discovers the richness of the ocean.”Â Prince Albert II’s sisters Caroline and StéphanieÂ own homes, Clos Saint-Pierre and Clos Saint-Martin, a short distance from the Prince’s Palace.