angloasturian
Mu-43 Veteran
Aviles is my nearest town of any size (population 85,000). Originally Roman, it became an important fishing and commercial port in the 8th and 9th centuries. It received the nickname ‘The Athens of the North’ before, in the middle of the 20th century, they built a steelworks (lots of coalmines here), quickly followed by an aluminium works, zinc works and fertilizer plant – all of which changed it forever. They built thousands of pretty horrible flats to house all the workers who flocked in and, as a whole, the town lost a lot of its character. Luckily the old, central part survives.
Sorry for the History lesson, but it helps to realize how lucky we are to still have these beautiful buildings and streets.
I shot in black and white because I think it expresses this subject better ( and also because it was my first love).
Starting from where I parked we first come to a square called locally ‘El Parque’ (The Park) – although there are several others. It’s just across the road from the port.
The statue is of Pedro Menendez (Aviles, 1519)
and the plaque says:
Now I’m heading for the main street, but on the way we see this statue
Which will probably ring a bell if you’re an art lover. It’s of Eugenia Martinez Vallejo (nicknamed, rather cruelly, ‘The Monster’) and is based on a painting by Juan Carreño de Miranda (Aviles, 1614). He was a court painter (Carlos II) and a friend and protege of Velazquez whose painting ‘Las Meninas’ shows women just like her. They were the Infantas’ (princesses) companions and were chosen because they were the same height as they were.
Now we come to the old Sabugo church and its little square
and the two bar/restaurants next to it
down a street nicknamed ‘La ruta del vino’ (no translation necessary!). This was originally where all the action was, but this has now moved somewhere else (see later)
We come to the main street with the new Sabugo church (in fact called ‘St. Thomas of Canterbury) at the bottom
and after passing this elegant building (now the main office of my bank)
and this
and a brief stop in a shop (sorry W.Ray!)
we arrive at the Town Hall square
On the opposite side is an old palace converted into a five star hotel
A street at the side of the Town Hall
Now up towards the present ‘Ruta del Vino’ passing this church (13th century)
and a rather original drinking fountain (17th century),
passing this
and the Conservatory of Music
This lovely street has the equally lovely name of ‘Galiana’ and is just one bar after another. The street is pedestrian and in the summer is a solid mass of people.
At the top you can enter the Ferrera park
Back to the car!
A request. Please give honest and forthright answers to these two positions:
1) Just post the photos and forget the history lessons and explanations.
2) It's OK as it is (but you can qualify this if you want)
Many thanks
Sorry for the History lesson, but it helps to realize how lucky we are to still have these beautiful buildings and streets.
I shot in black and white because I think it expresses this subject better ( and also because it was my first love).
Starting from where I parked we first come to a square called locally ‘El Parque’ (The Park) – although there are several others. It’s just across the road from the port.
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
The statue is of Pedro Menendez (Aviles, 1519)
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
and the plaque says:
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
To Pedro Menendez of Aviles
1519 – 1574
Knight of the Habit of Santiago
Viceroy of the Ocean
Governor and Conqueror of Florida
Where he founded the city of San Agustin
In the year 1565
A very nice bandstand where there are regular concerts in the summer by the municipal band1519 – 1574
Knight of the Habit of Santiago
Viceroy of the Ocean
Governor and Conqueror of Florida
Where he founded the city of San Agustin
In the year 1565
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Now I’m heading for the main street, but on the way we see this statue
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Which will probably ring a bell if you’re an art lover. It’s of Eugenia Martinez Vallejo (nicknamed, rather cruelly, ‘The Monster’) and is based on a painting by Juan Carreño de Miranda (Aviles, 1614). He was a court painter (Carlos II) and a friend and protege of Velazquez whose painting ‘Las Meninas’ shows women just like her. They were the Infantas’ (princesses) companions and were chosen because they were the same height as they were.
Now we come to the old Sabugo church and its little square
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
and the two bar/restaurants next to it
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
down a street nicknamed ‘La ruta del vino’ (no translation necessary!). This was originally where all the action was, but this has now moved somewhere else (see later)
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
We come to the main street with the new Sabugo church (in fact called ‘St. Thomas of Canterbury) at the bottom
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
and after passing this elegant building (now the main office of my bank)
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
and this
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
and a brief stop in a shop (sorry W.Ray!)
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
we arrive at the Town Hall square
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
On the opposite side is an old palace converted into a five star hotel
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
A street at the side of the Town Hall
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Now up towards the present ‘Ruta del Vino’ passing this church (13th century)
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
and a rather original drinking fountain (17th century),
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
passing this
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
and the Conservatory of Music
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
This lovely street has the equally lovely name of ‘Galiana’ and is just one bar after another. The street is pedestrian and in the summer is a solid mass of people.
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
At the top you can enter the Ferrera park
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Back to the car!
A request. Please give honest and forthright answers to these two positions:
1) Just post the photos and forget the history lessons and explanations.
2) It's OK as it is (but you can qualify this if you want)
Many thanks
