#Roman Walls of Lugo

[rabbitcruiser]

Roman Walls of Lugo, Spain (No. 2)

There are ten gates in the walls: five dating to Roman times; and five added after 1853 to accommodate the expanding town population. The best preserved original gates are the Porta Falsa and the Porta Miña, the latter still has its original vaulted arch set between two towers. Five stairways and a ramp provide access to the parapet walk over the walls. Within the walls, a number of double staircases provide access to the towers from the parapet walk.

Of the original towers, 49 are still intact, and another 39 have partially survived. The towers were built at irregular intervals along the walls. They consist of two storeys and are mostly semicircular; a few are rectangular. The spaces between the towers varies from 5.4 metres (18 ft) to 12.8 metres (42 ft). A mix of materials was used for the construction of the towers. Often the base of the tower was constructed of dressed granite, with the remainder in slate.

Source: Wikipedia

[dlyarchitecture]

[clivemwilliams]

Spain 2023

7/7/23

Moving day. We left Ribadesella after breakfast to make our way westwards to Lugo, our base for visiting Santiago de Compostela. The first 2/3 of the journey follows the coast all the way to Ribadeo before turning inland. We were fortunate to find a spot on one of the many beaches around these part to have lunch before continuing on the final part of the journey. As we headed inland we climbed higher and higher and were surrounded by magnificent mountains - often topped with wind turbines.

We got to our hotel in Lugo in good time so spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the only city in the world surrounded by completely intact Roman walls! Apart from the walls and other Roman features such as its baths and bridge, it’s famous for its Cathedral which is rather splendid - although no photography was allowed inside - so I can’t show you a photo of Our Lady of the Large Eyes. The one below is just a copy but you get the idea!

We are definitely off the tourist trail here and not much English is spoken - in fact the Spanish is the Gallician version so makes life a little tricky. Fortunately I have mastered ‘uno cerveza por favour’ a beer please, as well as all the numbers from 1 to 10! Judith has ‘naranja’ orange and ‘zumo de pina’ pineapple juices completely sorted. We’ve also sorted the different coffee types out so I think we’ll be fine.

[germtrips]

Best Hotels in Lugo, Lugo, Galicia, Spain

Lugo, a captivating city nestled amidst rolling hills in Galicia, Spain, beckons travelers with its rich Roman history, imposing defensive walls, and vibrant cultural scene. Lugo boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated Roman wall, a lively market scene, and a delectable culinary scene focused on fresh, local produce and regional specialties, making it a perfect base for exploring Galicia’s…

[graffitiporn-org]

Roman Emperor looking over the Roman Wall of Lugo . Voted best graffiti of the world by Street Art Cities.

[gwendolynlerman]

Exspaining Spain: regions

Galicia (Galicia/Galiza)

Galicia has four provinces, A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense, and Pontevedra. The capital city is Santiago de Compostela.

Architecture

The traditional architecture of the region is characterized by granite or stone walls, wooden structures, and ceramic, stone or straw roofs. A peculiar type of construction is the palloza, an oval or rounded house with a straw roof and a barn.

Climate

The predominant climate type is the oceanic one, characterized by cool summers and winters. There is a lot of rainfall all year round. The average temperature throughout the year is 13.3 °C (55.9 ºF).

Economy

Fishing is the most important economic activity, but agriculture, industry, and tourism are also relevant. The secondary sector includes shipbuilding, textiles, granite, and automobiles. 

The most touristic regions are Rías Baixas and Santiago de Compostela, which is the destination of the Way of St. James.

Famous people

Adolfo Domínguez - fashion designer

Amancio Ortega - businessman, founder of Inditex

Camilo José Cela - writer, Nobel Prize in Literature

Concepción Arenal - writer

Emilia Pardo Bazán - writer

Francisco Franco - dictator

Luis Tosar - actor

Luz Casal - singer

Mariano Rajoy - former prime minister

Rosalía de Castro - writer

Gastronomy

The Galician diet is based on fish, shellfish, potatoes, meat, cheese, and wines. Typical dishes include polbo á feira (octopus with paprika), caldo galego (stew with vegetables, potatoes, white beans, and fatty pork), empanada galega (a type of empanada with fish, shellfish, or meat), and tarta de Santiago (almond cake).

Polbo á feira

Tarta de Santiago

History

1st millennium BCE - Castro culture

1st century BCE - Roman conquest

5th century CE - Suebi, Britons

6th century - Visigoth invasion

8th century - Muslim invasion

1072 - union with the Kingdom of León

1808 - proclamation of the Kingdom of Galicia

1833 - end of the Kingdom of Galicia

1981 - Statute of Autonomy

Languages

The official languages are Galician and Spanish. Galician Spanish does not use the compound past perfect tense, as a result of the influence of Galician. It is also characterized by the substitution of common-use words for Galician ones, and an abundant use of archaisms and diminutives.

Monuments and landmarks

There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Roman Walls of Lugo (Lugo), Route of Santiago de Compostela (shared with other regions of Spain), Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) (A Coruña), and Tower of Hercules (A Coruña).

Other landmarks include the Ourense Cathedral (Ourense) and the Sanctuary da Virxe Peregrina (Pontevedra).

Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)

Tower of Hercules

[jackredfieldwasmyjacob]

QUICK RECAP OF SPAIN’S AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES

Hello everyone, I’ve decided to do a quick rundown on Spain’s administrative divisions, with stereotypes and interesting places.

First of all, this is gonna be my personal view, I’m even gonna put there my personal impressions of those places, and I haven’t been to all of Spain (the North is mostly unknown for me, I’m more of a Southern child). Also, I’m gonna say a lot of stereotypes, of course, don’t take them too seriously, it’s all just so you can know what Spaniards think of one another.

Finally, I’ll do first a quick rundown of the administrative division of Spain. We are divided in 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities. Furthermore, those are divided in a total of 50 provinces. Think of the autonomous communities as just the previous step to states, a lot of freedom but not quite enough to become states.

So, let’s start, I’ll go north to south, and I’ll also make a quick rundown of whatever I think of each province:

GALICIA

(for future reference, I’ll put a photo of the typical landscape, the flag, and the map of the autonomous community)

Capital: Santiago de Compostela

So, Galicia. I like to call her “little UK” or “little Ireland”, because it’s the greenest part of Spain as it rains a lot here. Also they have a Celtic past, with a lot of stone formations similar to Stonehenge throughout all of the landscape. That means also it has a lot of celtic folklore, being the most iconic Galician beings the “meigas” (good witches) and “bruxas” (bad witches). I just picture Galicia being the most magical and mysterious place in Spain. 

It’s also known for being the end of the Camino de Santiago (”Way of Saint James”), in Santiago, the capital, probably the biggest pilgrimage in the christian world, and up until America was discovered, it hold the end of the known world, Finisterre (”end of the land”). 

Of course, Galician is cooficial here with Spanish. I don’t know much about it, only stuff like miña terra galega (”my Galician land”), expressions like “riquiña” (cutie), that basically every galician word ends in -iño / -iña, or -eiro / -eira,  and the best gift Galicians have given to Spaniards, my favourite word in Spanish, “morriña” (the feeling of missing home). Also their Spanish accent is the cutest thing ever, I would listen to a Galician speak for days.

Galicians themselves have the stereotypes of being really indecisive and dull, with “no blood in their veins”. They have a lot of interesting food, all related to the see, as they are sea people. They have a special job just found there, the “percebeiras”, woman who pick barnacles out of the rocks, it’s a really risky and hard job. Other dishes from here are the “pulpo a feira” (octopus) and “vieiras” (scallops), amongst others.

I’ve never been here, but some of the sightings Galicia is famous for are the numerous “rías” (kinda like an estuary), having “rías baixas” and “rías altas”; the Cíes Islands, and the Costa da Morte (”Coast of Death”), which is also the name of my favourite “Sidecars” song.

About the provinces:

-Lugo: Roman city of Lucus Augustus, one of the two walled cities in Spain that still have their walls intact.

-Ourense: The most rural part of Galicia, some people here don’t know Spanish, only Galician.

-Pontevedra: Vigo is the biggest city in Galicia. Rías Baixas. Cíes Islands

-A Coruña: Most populated province. Big. Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña. Tower of Hercules.

ASTURIAS:

Capital: Oviedo

It’s basically Galicia’s little and prettier sister. I’ve never been here, but every person that has been has said that it’s the most beautiful place in Spain. It’s mostly known for its milk, having a lot of cows (in Asturian they are called “vaques”, it’s the only one in asturian / bable that I know). As for Asturian, it’s not an official or co-official language, for what I know it just seems like Spanish but with an -u at the end (the language it’s called “asturianu”, for example). 

It’s also known for being the birthplace of Spain, as here the Reconquista started, which has made Asturians a bit arrogant, saying that everything past Asturias is Moorish territory and whatnot. For that, Covadonga, place where the first victory against the moors took place, it’s probably one of the most important places here, along with Oviedo and Gijón, the biggest city. 

Here are also the Picos de Europa (Europe Peaks) of the Cantabrian Mountains, a stunning place (depicted in the landscape photo) that gives Asturias a big boost in the race of which place of Spain is the prettiest. 

It only comprises one province.

CANTABRIA:

Capital: Santander.

Cantabria, also known as the Land of Cachopos and Miguel Ángel Revilla, because those are mainly the two things Cantabria is known for right now. Cachopo is their main dish, and it’s a total bomb, normally, if you are not cantabrian, you’ll had to eat it between two because it’s too much. I don’t actually have had one so I don’t exactly know what it is, but I know it’s main ingredients are pork and cheese.

Miguel Ángel Revilla, on the other hand, is the president of Cantabrian, and he’s become a bit of a meme of how nationalistic and protective he is of Cantabria, it’s kinda enduring actually. 

But, apart from that, I’ve been Cantabria (literally the only place in the north I’ve been to, I know, I suck) and it’s honestly amazing. It has one of the most important archaeological sites in the whole country, the Altamira Paintings, prehistoric carvings in the rock. It also has the beautiful park of Carranque, which is also cool. And the capital, Santander, it’s really beautiful, because it combines the mountains with the coast, and it has this really pretty palace called Palacio de la Magdalena, with lots of birds and even penguins!

Again, only one province.

PAÍS VASCO / BASQUE COUNTRY / EUSKADI:

Capital: Vitoria / Vitoria-Gasteiz

So, Euskadi (Basque Country in Euskera / Basque) is one of the most important Autonomous Communities in Spain. It was the most industrial heavy region and also the one of the richest, being Bilbao the hub of all of that. Of course, we can’t gloss over ETA, the basque terrorist organization that terrorized all of Spain during the 80s, 90s and 00s pursuing the independence of Euskadi. Fortunately, they disbanded around 2015 and now things are better. 

Basques have a really distinct culture, with a co-official language (euskera) that doesn’t have indo-european roots and it’s honestly a nightmare to learn. I know some words, like “ertzaintza” (the special basque police), “ikurriña” (how the flag is called), “aita” (dad), “ilargia” (moon), “izaro” (star), “maitia” (love), or “agur” (hello / goodbye), but not much else. Gastronomy is king here, people say they have the best food in Spain, and basques also have the stereotype of eating A LOT. Their typical dishes are “kalimotxo” (an alcoholic beverage) and “pintxos” (skewers).

Talking about stereotypes, if you want to know more there’s this amazing Spanish film called “Ocho Apellidos Vascos” ("Spanish Affair”) that talk about them in detail, I think it’s in Netflix. But, in a nutshell, they have the fame of being really brute and cold, saying a lot of bad words and being really dry in conversation (kinda like the stereotype of scandinavians). People say in their free time they play with giant tree trunks and logs. Also, they have a special sport called “frontón” that’s pretty brutal (here’s a whole match: https://youtu.be/xeG9G3_1YvM)

About the landscape, is just as beautiful as the rest of the north, not much to add here honestly. 

Provinces:

-Vizcaya / Bizkaia: Bilbao. Guggenheim. Metalwork.

-Guipúzcoa / Gipuzkoa: San Sebastián / Donosti. People taking a dip in the sea on the first day of the year. The most basque province.

-Álava / Araba. Vitoria. The least basque province.

NAVARRA / NAVARRE / NAFARROA:

Capital: Pamplona.

So, Navarra, the other Basque Country. In fact, I think there are parts here where they don’t speak Spanish, only Euskera. Again, it’s like a continuation of Euskadi, so expect similar stereotypes. I haven’t been here, so the only thing I know about Navarra is Pamplona and, of course, San Fermín. Everybody knows about San Fermín, so I don’t think I have to add much to this.

Only one province, Navarra.

ARAGÓN:

Capital: Zaragoza

Okay, I’ve been here weee. Aragón has a lot of historical importance, as it was one of the two main kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula up until the Catholic Kings united Aragón and Castile. People from here are called “maño / a”, and they have special clothings and a dance called “jota”. Maños have the stereotype of being really REALLY stubborn.

And it’s funny because each province has its own landscape. Huesca, in the north, is really mountainous, as it lies on the Pyrenees, with snow-topped mountaintops and stunning landscapes. Zaragoza, in the center, is heavily urbanized, and Zaragoza itself is one of the biggest cities in Spain, being the roman Caesaraugusta and lying on the Ebro, the biggest river in the Iberian Peninsula. And Teruel is basically uninhabited, it’s the most sparsely populated province in all of Spain, and it’s comprised on wastelands. 

I’ve been to Zaragoza, one of my favourite cities, that I compare to Chicago as the two are known for being really windy; and the province of Huesca, in the Pyrenees. I recommend going to Jaca, the origin of the Crown of Aragón and with a really amazing fortress in the middle.

As for the provinces:

-Huesca: Jaca. Pyrenees. Cold.

-Zaragoza: Zaragoza City. Biggie. Ebro. La Pilarica (The Cathedral is called like that)

-Teruel. Uninhabited. “Los Amantes de Teruel” (”The Teruel lovers”, is a Spanish legend).

LA RIOJA:

Capital: Logroño

Literally the only thing I know about La Rioja is wine. They make the best wine in Spain. That’s all. I don’t know more, sorry, which is funny right now, knowing that La Rioja is absolutely dominating right now in the Civil War Simulation Bot over at Twitter.

CATALUÑA / CATALONIA / CATALUNYA:

Capital: Barcelona

Oh boi, here comes a biggie. So, I’m sure everyone of you know about Catalonia. Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain, so that’s that. And of course there’s all this independentist movement going on. I haven’t been here, but I know that, well, Barcelona is apparently really pretty, and also the coastline is full of hotspots for tourists.

Catalonian is of course the co-official language here, and it’s the co-official language I know the best because my father is from a Catalonian-speaking place (we’ll get there, don’t worry). Some phrases I know are “Vine, vine, Joan, anem a sopar” (I don’t know where accents go, sorry), which translates to “Come, Come, Joan, let’s have dinner” or “Com una lluna a l’aigua” (”Like a moon by the water”, is a song, never mind). Catalonians have the fame os being really cheapskates.

They have a distinct culture, having the famous “castells” (human towers), or typical dishes like the “calçots”, “butifarra” or “pá amb tòmaquet”. Catalonian music is also really cool, with the “charangas”, the “rumba catalana”, and of course, the signature dance, the “sardana”.

Landscape wise, The north is mountainous because of the Pyrenees, especially Lleida (the only place in Catalonia I’ve been to!), I recommend going to the town of Taüll, it has two really pretty romanic churches), and the coast is typically Mediterranean, with long white sand beaches, although here you can find Rosas Cape and other accidents. The south is also typically mediterranean, with a landscape like you can see in the photo.

Provinces:

-Lleida: Taüll. Pyrenees. Mountains. Baqueira Beret ski resort. 

-Girona: Puigdemont’s homeland. The most independentist and nationalist place. Also, Dalí’s house in Cadaques.

-Barcelona. The big city. 2nd biggest city. Gaudí. Sagrada Familia.

-Tarragona. Summer resort. Full of drunken tourists. Tarragona ancient Tarraco, capital of Tarraconensis Province.

VALENCIA:

Capital: Valencia

Another big one! My father is from this Autonomous Community, precisely from Onil, Alicante (look it up!) so I know, at least the south, pretty well. This is the most Mediterranean autonomous community, with long white beaches and lots of places that get loaded with guiris during the summer. Valencia is the prime example of the sun, beaches and cheapness that is advertised in every Spain vacation plan. On the inside, though, there are also really pretty mountains (like the ones that surround my father’s town).

People from here speak Valencian (it’s a dialect of Catalonian, but valencians really don’t like when people say it’s basically catalonian) and are usually depicted as conservative. Also, this Autonomous Community has the most typical festivities out of all parts of Spain, being, therefore, the one that works the less as it has the most festive days. Some of the most known are the “Fallas” of Valencia, and the “Moros y Cristianos” and “San Juan” festivities in Alicante, the most festive province. Valencians also tend to like fireworks, explosions and fire, based on those festivities.

Oh, and Paella is from here. In fact, Valencians are really protective with paella, and say they are the only ones that can cook a paella “properly”, although I’m pretty sure no one knows what’s the right way to do it at this point (DEFINITELY NOT WITH CHORIZO THOUGH, DO YOU HEAR ME JAMIE OLIVER?) They have other various dishes with rice, but Paella is their signature dish. 

Here are really big and touristy cities, like Benidorm (capital of skyscrapers and senior trips), Valencia (one of the biggest cities in Spain), Denia (summer resort) and, of course, the elusive Marina D’Or. Does it exist? We’ll never know it.

Province time:

-Castellón: Benicassim. Drunk tourists.

-Valencia: Big City. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (”City of the Arts and the Sciences”), Oceanographic. Fallas.

-Alicante: Benidorm. Torrevieja. More sun, and more drunk tourists. Festes. Best ice cream in all of Spain.

BALEARIC ISLANDS:

Capital: Palma de Mallorca

Also known as “little Germany”, because it’s full of Germans. Like, I was in Mallorca two summers ago and all signs were, (in that order), in catalan, german, english and spanish. I’ve only gone to Mallorca out of the islands, and I can say it’s so beautiful and amazing, it seemed to me like a Mediterranean paradise. I haven’t been to Ibiza, but you all know what happens there. 

About Mallorca, I recommend you visiting the amazing cathedral, the tallest in all of Spain, and the towns of Sóller and Valldemossa. As you can see, here they speak Catalan, but in a really weird way, as I’ve heard their accent is the hardest to pick apart, and they have some particles like “sa” or “can” that aren’t in other parts of the Catalan realm.

Apart from beaches and drunk germans and british teens, they are also famous for the “ensaimada” and mayonnaise, invented in Menorca. 

It’s only one province.

CASTILLA Y LEÓN:

Capital: Valladolid.

Oh boi, this one is the biggest of them all. Not, really, it’s the largest Autonomous Community, although it’s also the most sparsely inhabited in Spain, and also even of all of Europe. That’s because of the harsh continentalized mediterranean weather. Here there are even villages of like 10 people or so, isolated from the rest of the world. Of course, given this, the stereotype of people from here is that they are really...”rural”. I think that says it all. 

This is the land of stew and big meat dishes, rough people and stereotypical tropes in every Castilian town. Of course, historically, this was a big chunk of the Kingdom of Castille, that merged with Aragón with the Catholic Kings. 

I’ve been to some places here, and some of the most notable places to visit would have to be Segovia’s roman Aqueduct, Salamanca’s University, the oldest in Spain, also like Salamanca province as a whole is pretty stunning; and Soria’s archaeological sites of Tiermes and Numancia. Oh, and “Las Médulas” in León, I’ve never been there, but I’ve seen photos and they seem stunning.

Let’s go through the provinces then:

-León: Kingdom of León. Jesús Calleja (an explorer), Las Médulas, Astorga

-Palencia: Romanic stuff. Not much more.

-Zamora: Romanic capital of Spain. Not much more.

-Valladolid: The capital. People here say they speak the most correct Spanish, and that they don’t have an accent. Jerks.

-Salamanca: Best place of the Autonomous Community. The University of Salamanca. The Astronaut in the Cathedral (look it up). Stunning places.

-Ávila: Walled city. Cool place. Medieval and stuff.

-Segovia: Roman Aqueduct. Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso.

-Soria: My baby. No one actually lives here, except for cattle. I feel sad for whoever is from here.

-Burgos: The most amazing cathedral in all of Spain, you have to see it. Also, I think at one point it was the capital of Castille?

MADRID

Capital: Madrid

The best place in the whole world, of course, objectively. But actually. It’s the most densely Autonomous Community in Spain (we have 6.661.949 inhabitants, for reference, Castilla y León has 2.418.694), and Madrid itself it’s the 5th largest city in Europe. 

People from Madrid are usually called “chulos” (”preppy”), because we are really proud of living in the best place of Spain. We also are really proud of our tap water, and have some distinct words we use a lot, like “ejque”, “mazo”, “me renta”, and saying instead of Madrid “Madriz” or “Madri”. We have our own regional outfit, the “chulapo / chulapa”, and our own regional dance, the “chotis”. Our typical dishes are “chocolate con churros” (hot chocolate with churros), “bocata calamares” (squid sandwich) and my favourite thing in the world, “cocido” (a type of stew). 

If sometime you want to visit Madrid, I recommend you going to Aranjuez Palace, Guadarrama Mountains and the little towns around there, El Escorial and its monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Cervantes house in Alcalá de Henares and also its university, the second oldest of Spain, and inside of the city the Royal Palace, the Moro Gardens, the Retiro (our Central Park), all the Austrias Quartier, Malasaña, Atocha, museums like El Prado, Reina Sofía, the Romanticism Museum, etc... There’s a lot to see, basically.

And of course, it’s just one province.

CASTILLA-LA MANCHA:

Capital: Toledo

En un lugar de La Mancha, de cuyo nombre no quiero acordarme... Those are the beginning words of Don Quijote / Don Quixote, a book that I’m sure you’re acquainted with, it’s just the second most sold book ever, after the Bible. Well, it takes place here, La Mancha (literally, “The Spot”). I’m really proud of this place because all of my mother’s side of the family is from here :)

People from La Mancha or “manchegos” are kinda like castilian people, although kinda more jokingly “rural”, being depicted as they are in Don Quixote, in light spirits. Everyone loves manchegos, come on. Their accent is the “standard redhead” accent here, and something they all have in common is using the diminutives with “-ico / ica”. In fact, via the influence of my family, I also make diminutives like that, so I speak in a mix between madrileño and manchego accent. 

I’ve been nearly everywhere here, and I recommend going to Toledo, specially Old Town, as Toledo was the first capital of Spain and it’s the most medieval you can get, really, it’s beautiful. Also to Tablas de Daimiel, a marsh area in the province of Ciudad Real, and to the Enchanted City and the Hanging Houses in Cuenca. 

Oh, and also, everywhere you’ll go here they’ll have some sort of pretext to say the town could’ve maybe appear in Don Quixote. It’s really funny to see all the legends and theories.

So, the provinces:

-Guadalajara: Zaorejas :). Also “pueblos negros” (”black towns”, look them up!)

-Cuenca: Hanging Houses, Enchanted City (fun fact, I got lost here when I was little). Also there’s a Spanish saying, “poner (a alguien) mirando a Cuenca” (to put s/o looking to Cuenca), that means to have sex from behind.

-Albacete: Family :) Also “Miguelitos” and knives.

-Ciudad Real: Daimiel. Almagro. Don Quixote intensifies here.

-Toledo: Medieval. Old Capital. Tajo River (Tagus).

EXTREMADURA:

Capital: Mérida

The best way of describing Extremadura and extremeños would be to say they’re a mix of andalusians and manchegos. Cáceres is more influenced by La Mancha, while Badajoz is more andalusian. And there in the middle lies Mérida, my second favourite part of Spain (after Madrid of course), as last summer I spent there nearly a month in an archaeological site and became in love with the city. Mérida was the roman Augusta Emerita, capital of the province of Lusitania, and nowadays you could say it’s the roman capital of Spain, as it has the best preserved roman ruins, including an amphitheater, a circus, and one of the best preserved theatres in all of the Roman realm. It’s amazing. 100% visit Mérida, and if you can, watch a play in that roman theatre. It’s an otherworldly experience, I assure you.

Okay, for the provinces:

-Cáceres: Really cool museum, not much else

-Badajoz: Funny accent, Medellín and Mérida.

 ANDALUCÍA / ANDALUSIA:

Capital: Sevilla / Seville

Okay, this is another big one. The most populous Autonomous Community and the second biggest. Fun fact, I’m 3/4 Andalusian! 

The best way to describe Andalucía in the most stereotypically way ever is “typical Spanish”. All the stereotypes about Spain and the Spaniards??? They are all andalusians. Flamenco? Check. Bullfighting? Check. Sangría? Check. Olé? Check. Laziness? Check. Sun and heat? Check. 

Really, if you want to experience the “typical Spanish way”, you have to go here. Flamenco was born here, also Sangría and Gazpacho. I don’t know about Bullfighting, but it’s the most popular here and in Madrid (note that more than 70% of Spaniards are against them, including myself). It’s one of the hottest Autonomous Communities, along with Murcia (we’ll get there) and yeah, Andalusians are basically stereotyped as the antithesis of Basques: lazy, party animals, passionate, close, etc.

Their accent is also really characteristic, having in some parts seseo (saying “s” instead of “th”) and in others ceceo (saying “th” instead of “s”) [note that in Spain the normal way of pronouncing the letter “c” is either “k”, if it’s a hard one, or “th”] and not saying the final “s”, for example. They also have some very characteristic expressions, like “illo”, “ojú”, and others. It also varies from province to province, Andalusians are able to pick apart the differences. 

Andalucía has a really mix of cultures that make it really fascinating. First of all, historically, it has the oldest city in Spain, the modern Cádiz, a phoenician colony, and was really important in Roman times, with big cities like Gades, Corduba, Italica, Hispalis or Baelo Claudia. In the middle ages it was the main hub of Córdoba Caliphate, later Granada Emirate and as a whole, Al-Andalus. That’s why is the most moorish place in Spain, with a lot of influences in architecture like their tile designs, and really impressive buildings like the Alhambra, Azahara Medina, Sevilla’s Giralda and Alcazar, the Córdoba Mosque, etc. But also is probably the most catholic and religious Autonomous Community, being their most important festivity Easter and their processions. Lastly, it has a lot of gypsy communities that differ from the rest of the Gypsy world, and have adopted Flamenco as their identity. The best flamenco artists are andalusian gypsies, that’s just fact.

There are so many places to go and Andalucía it’s so diverse in their landscape (snow top mountains and deserts, for example) that I couldn’t list them all here. Just, go visit all of Andalucía.

For the provinces, I’ll try to say some cool places:

-Huelva: Lepe (the butt of all jokes), funny accent

-Sevilla: Sevilla city, with Giralda, Alcázar, Cathedral, Torre del Oro, Plaza de España (the most amazing monument of all Spain imo), Triana Quartier, etc. Also the Guadalquivir river

-Cádiz: Cádiz city as a whole, the best flamenco performers are from here. Also people here are the funniest. The carnival is huge here. And “chirigotas” (flamenco-inspired really ironic songs). Gibraltar and Algeciras. Smuggling. 

-Málaga: Marbella. Sun and beaches. Summer resort. 

-Córdoba: Cordoba Mosque. Ruins of ancient Corduba.

-Jaén: Olive trees. Just that. Olive trees. A lot. Everywhere.

-Granada: Best province, that’s just fact. Sierra Nevada. Alpujarra (with little towns in the mountains, amazing). Granada as a whole was voted best city in Spain to live, and of course, the Alhambra. 

-Almería: Summer (I go every summer here), Mojácar, Mar de Plástico (you can see it from space, look it up!), Tabernas Desert (the only natural desert in Spain).

MURCIA:

Capital: Murcia

Ok, Murcia. There’s a running joke in Spain that Murcia doesn’t even exist, and it’s just a fragment of our imagination. It’s just a government set-up. Actually, Murcia is usually the butt of all jokes, but probably because murcians live in such a pretty place that we had to laugh it off somehow. Also they have the funniest and most complicated accent ever, sometimes they are impossible to comprehend. And there’s also this theory that Tolkien inspired from Murcia during summer when writing about Mordor, because that’s how it feels like (I’ve been there guys, 45ºC to 50ºC [113ºF to 122ºF] all throughout july and august)

I actually love their landscape, I don’t know why, but it’s my favourite landscape in Spain. It’s really arid, semi-desertic, but also mountainous, so it gives a unique landscape that I haven’t seen elsewhere, I don’t know. Also, they have one of my favourite cities in Spain (probably my third favourite), Cartagena, ancient Carthago Nova, city founded by Hannibal during the Punic Wars (yes, THAT Hannibal) and with an amazing roman theatre. 

It only needs one province to be awesome.

ISLAS CANARIAS / CANARY ISLANDS:

Capital: Las Palmas de Gran Canarias

As you may have figure out, the Canary Islands are really different from Mainland Spain, or even from the Balearic Islands. They are semi-tropical, and have a lot of weird endemic species. They are volcanic, so they have black soil and volcanoes, being the biggest one the Teide, the tallest peak in all of Spain (3.718 m). In Tenerife they even have a special cooking technique that uses volcano gas. 

Canarians have a really distinct accent, really similar to the Latin American accents, with the seseo and the voseo. They also have some words with “guanche” origins (the guanches were the original inhabitants of the islands, there are numerous ruins of them all throughout the Canary Islands), like the most known one, “guagua” (bus).  Carnival is the biggest event of the year here.

It is divided in 2 provinces:

-Las Palmas: Jungles, Fuerteventura. Beautiful beaches, Carnival.

-Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Teide, Volcanic activity, volcanic soil and cooking, in La Gomera whistling language.

CEUTA:

Not much to say about it. There are a lot of muslims here and in Melilla, which makes sense given their location. I had a guy from my class that was from here, and said there was a lot of smuggling and drug dealing, so that’s that. Also, most people know this city from the TV show “El Príncipe” (The Prince)

MELILLA:

Same as with Ceuta. I know Melilla is a bit larger than Ceuta, and sadly, what is more know for, is the fence built around the city to stop illegal immigrants.

So that was all, I hope you liked it!! I’ll probably do another one only of Madrid, but if you’d like me to do a post about one particular region or aspect of Spanish culture, please let me know!!

[theowlreblogs]

You forgot one! Not as breathtaking as some of these, but here you have The Roman walls of Lugo (Spanish, Galician: Muralla Romana de Lugo) are the ancient Roman defensive walls stretching 2,120 metres (6,960 ft) around the Old Town of Lugo, Spain. They were built in the third century AD to defend the ancient Roman town of Lucus Augusti. The fortifications, still largely intact, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and are a popular tourist attraction. It's totally normal walking over the walls (People like to go for some jogging up there) It's part of the city's identity and we love it so very much!

I really like how many of the world’s most iconic structures and places are just right next to some of the most mundane stuff imaginable, for example

Stonehenge

Is right next to a busy road

The Pyramids of Giza

Are at the outskirts of Cairo

Niagara Falls

Are part of the town of the same name

And Agrippa’s Pantheon

Is crammed inside downtown Rome

It just so interesting to notice.

[akeytothearmoire]

Leopard on the Run

I had a bunch of photos from Spain that I had still not posted, so here they come!

These were taken in Lugo, a city which is part of Galicia, in the Northwest part of the peninsula. It's a city surrounded by a Roman wall that is part of UNESCO's World Heritage sites, and is over 17 centuries old! Yes, 17! This is where my mom is from, and where she still has the house and land where she was born, which is over 300 years old. I spent some of the best summers of my life running around these mountains, so this city is very special to me.

For the roadtrip, I chose to wear all black for a sleek and easy look, and topped it off with a linen trench coat that belonged to my dad. Hope you like it!

WHAT I WORE:

Sweater: Cashmere; Kier + J (similar here, here, here)

Leggings: Cotton and elastane; Anne Klein (similar here)

Trench Coat: Linen; Teller Coat, it belonged to my dad (similar here)

Shoes: Leopard print calfhair; Coach (similar here, here, here)

Bag: Woven rattan (similar here, here, here)

Ring: Gold (similar here)

Earrings: Faux tortoise shell; Raph Lauren (similar here)

Bracelet: Gold bangles (here); Faux tortoise shell (similar here, here)

Sunglasses: Le Specs (in black, here)

Hat: Straw; Vintage (similar here, here, here)

You can see how I styled this trench coat before here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

You also can shop same (or very similar pieces!) at a variety of price points by clicking on the links next to each item! When you do, I receive a small commission for helping you shop.

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH! Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest

Todavía tenía muchas fotos de España que no había publicado, así que aqui vienen!

Estas fueron tomadas en Lugo, una ciudad que es parte de Galicia, en el noroeste de la peninsula. Es una ciudad rodeada por una muralla romana que esta protegida por la UNESCO y tiene mas de 17 siglos de antiguedad! Asi es, 17! De aqui es mi mamá, y aqui es también donde todavia tiene la casa donde nació que tiene mas de 300 años. He pasado algunos de los mejores veranos de mi vida en estas montañas, asi que esta ciudad es muy especial para mi.

Para el viaje decidí vestirme toda de negro para un estilismo elegante y fácil, al cual añadí una gabardina de lino antigua de mi papá. Espero que les guste!

LO QUE ME PUSE:

Suéter: De cashmere; Kier + J (similar here, here, here)

Leggings: De algodón y elastane; Anne Klein (similar here)

Gabardina: De lino; Teller Coat era de mi papá (similar here)

Zapatos: De pelo con estampado en leopardo; Coach (similar here, here, here)

Bolso/Cartera: De ratán tejido (similar here, here, here)

Zarcillos/Pendientes: De falso carey; Raph Lauren (similar here)

Anillo/Sortija: De oro (similar here)

Pulsera/Braceletes: De oro (aqui); de falso carey (similar here, here)

Lentes/Gafas de Sol: Le Specs (in black, here)

Sombrero: De paja; Antiguo (similar aqui, aqui, aqui)

Pueden ver como combiné esta gabardina anteriormente aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui y aqui.

También pueden comprar las mismas piezas (u otras muy similares!), con una gran variedad de precios, al apretar los enlaces que incluyo abajo, junto a la descripción de cada cosa! Cuando realizan una compra a través de uno de mis enlaces, yo recibo una pequeña comisión por ayudarles a comprar.

SIGAMOS EN CONTACTO! Únanse a mis páginas de Facebook, Twitter, Instagram y Pinterest! 

[timeoutotour]

Drizzle, 7°C

Praza de Santo Domingo, 52, 27001 Lugo, Spain

Thursday 4th April 2019

A very windy night but this morning the wind had had calmed down a little and the sun was shining , although it remained cold enough for us to have to don winter coats, hats and gloves for our morning walk along the headland. We had considered our options and (I had)chosen, unwisely at it now appears, to continue our north coast route despite the poor weather forecast. Our destination was Lugo , a full two hours west of our then location. A UNESCO world heritage site and famed for having the most complete Roman city walls in Europe. First we had to get there and it's fair to say I had a real battle with the strong winds whilst crossing the numerous and very high viaducts which were often, due to the conditions, speed restricted to 80kmph (about 50mph). The viaducts are signed with a name and their length in metres which gives you an indication of how much exposure to high winds you may encounter, for example many viaducts are 250m long or less and require little, if any change in speed , whereas some are up to or over 1000m and require a significant speed reduction in a relatively light 3 metre tall van. We arrived at Lugo at about 1345hrs and after some light refreshments were ready to explore the historic old town located within the Roman city walls about a ten minute walk from our location at our overnighter. Unfortunately just at this time it also started to rain and as I write this some 6 1/2 hours later it is still raining. We found the old town to be quite charming and interesting although we were obviously not seeing it at its best. We returned and to the van somewhat disheartened and a little damp and wondered what could have been if the weather had been favourable. On reflection , perhaps we should have first travelled to southern Spain and then made our way up through this region later on in the journey when the weather would normally be warmer and drier. I had honestly never considered that it could be this cold and wet in in northern Spain at this time of year. We have the option of heading south toward a favourite region of ours namely Andalucia but for now we intend to stick it out and revisit the town in the morning. I would like to walk the city walls with Annie and Rhian may like to join us or take a tour of the shopping areas. We have just enjoyed our evening meal and are amongst several other vans who appear to be staying the night. Beunas Noches

Powered by Journey Diary.

[rabbitcruiser]

Roman Walls of Lugo, Spain (No. 3)

During the Middle Ages, pilgrims passed through the gates of the Lugo walls, particularly Porta Miña, on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

The fortifications were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in late 2000 as "the finest example of late Roman fortifications in western Europe." The walls have held Spanish monument status (Bien de Interés Cultural) since 1921. In 2007 the walls were twinned with the Great Wall of China during a ceremony attended by China's then-ambassador to Spain, Qiu Xiaoqi.

A walkway over the walls now allows visitors to stroll along the entire length. The town also has a visitor's centre dedicated to the walls, the Centro de Interpretación de la Muralla. Since the inscription of the walls on the World Heritage List in 2000, Lugo holds a popular festival called Arde Lucus each year to celebrate its Roman past.

Source: Wikipedia  

[thunder-stuck]

The city of Lugo in northern Spain is the only place in the world to have a complete set of intact Roman walls. They were built 2,000 years ago and surround the entire old town. || 9gagrss || https://ift.tt/hqf0gV8 https://ift.tt/SKG2RFt ||

[nothing-personal-my-dear]

Spartacus : Vengeance Rewatch - Episode 7: Sacramentum

Sex Scene: there’s like 4 whole scenes in a whorehouse, all the sex is happening here.

“Cock”: 5

“Cunt”: 1

“Kill Them All”:  

“Fucking Gaul”: 1

Slow motion Face Punch: 2

Episode Name Dropped by: Glaber

Memorable Death:  MARCIA (for my heart), Sedullus (because brains).

Favourite Line:  “I rival any fucking man, in all things.”

 -  I have basically one clear memory of this episode. AGRON IN THAT HOODED CLOAK IN THE RAIN SMIRKING FOR ALL HE’S WORTH! Hot damn, I am excited for that scene!

-  Holy shit, Agron is even hotter in this scene than I remembered!!!

-  Ahh! Donar helping to free the Germans! I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, you can pry German Donar from my cold dead hands!

-   I love me some silent killing.

-  GERMAN SPEAKING AGRON GIVES ME SO MANY DAMN FEELS!!!! Seriously, when was the last time he spoke his native language? Does he do it with Donar? Was the last time with Duro? According to history slaves weren’t allowed to speak their native language, so maybe it’s been longer than his captivity. SO MANY FEELS.

-  The way Sedullus looks when telling Agron the other guard also speaks German, it almost looks like a test, like he wants Agron to prove himself first.

-  SAXA BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Lucius kills someone, I’m oddly proud!

-  That face slice though.

- Sedullus is just …. He’s the reason Germans are given a bad name, you can see it already.

- LUGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH DAMN, HES SO PRECIOUS! I forgot he spoke English (though really, I’m assuming their speaking latin) in Vengeance, I thought he was mainly all German until WotD.

-  “Cock” in German, still counts!

-  AGRON’S SMILE! CALLING THE GERMAN’S BROTHER! HE IS SO HAPPY! FUCK!

-  OH THIS, THIS I REMEMEBR, AND I FUCKING HATE IT! By “this” I mean Sparty and his jealous suspicions of Agron. Sparty has such a double standard with Crixus and Agron. Crixus is allowed to be the leader of the Gauls with Sparty having basically no say in the matter, but the second Agron wants the same fucking treatment Sparty throws a hissy fit! I’m not trying to be biased, I can see there could be legitimate concers for Sparty with the Germans, as in Agron might separate from the cause and do his own thing with the Germans. BUT, the reason I have such an issue with this whole thing is that Crixus gets to do the same fucking thing BUT HE STILL GETS SPARTACUS’ RESPECT AND LOYALTY! Agron gets none of that, ever. I could write a fucking essay on this subject. To sum up, fuck you Sparty.

-   That Eagle is fucking majestic!

-   Okay, I have always liked Gallienus, he’s kinda adorable.

-   I wonder if Ashur feels a little sorry for what happened to Seppius when he sees Seppia crying. I mean she’s basically still a kid and she has no one, it’s hard not to feel for that.

-  Does Gannicus believe Glaber’s speech or does he recognise the propaganda for what it is? In other words, a load of shit.

-  Love how all the women around Glaber look empty, depressed, absolutely crushed.

- Poor Thessela, you can see the betrayal in her eyes when Ilithyia lies. Poor baby.

-  That crucifixion is pretty intense.

-  Okay I’ve been doing a hell of a lot of research on Spartacus (and Ancient Rome in general) but I now know the names of some background characters. Hey there Lydon patrolling the wall ;)

-   Crixus looks so damn attractive when sparring with Naevia, I think it’s because he doesn’t look angry when he’s fighting her. He looks calm and focused, it’s very sexy.

- LOOK AT THAT LITTLE SMILE!!!!! CRIXUS IS SO PROUD OF NAEVIA!!!!!

-  NASIR AND MIRA FRIENDSHIP!!!! We were robbed!!

-  Oh, you can see Mira’s heart breaking. She’s not a fool, she knows Spartacus doesn’t love her.

-  Oenomaus and Nasir shaking hands……..WHEN THE HELL HAVE YOU TWO ACTUALLY MET?!?!?!

-  Oenomaus should smile more though, it’s so damn beautiful.

-  I wanna cry!!!!! Every one is so happy to see Oenomaus, and he’s looking all proud of his children!!!! I NEED SOME TISSUES!

- I seriously cannot get over the amount of love I have for Agron kissing Nasir in front of his kin without any hesitation!!! All the feels man.

-  I like that Mira keeps on smiling genuinely when the Germans are brought in. She doesn’t care that she can’t understand them, there is no suspicion in her eyes, she accepts them. Unlike Crixus and Oenomaus.

- Nemetes (you fuck) looks at Sedullus with heart eyes.

-  Agron introducing Nasir to the Germans, Nasir smiling and shaking hands with all of them!!! MY HEART CANNOT TAKE THIS! Nasir feeling more comfortable with the Germans for the simple fact that they are Agron’s kin, it’s fucking beautiful. I just wanna stay in this happy little family without all the drama.

- LUGO PICKS UP NASIR IN A HUGE BEAR HUG WITH SAXA SMILING AT THEM BOTH!!!!! THIS IS THE DAMN FRIENDSHIP I ALWAYS WANTED!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!! There was like a split second hint of this threesome in WotD, BUT I DIDN’T KNOW WE GOT IT RIGHT AWAY!!!!!!

-   “Who will they follow?” SERIOUSLY CRIXUS ALL THE GAULS FOLLOW YOU NOT SPARTY AND YOU KNOW IT. fuck this whole jealously shit.

-  “Yes Dominus.” Oh fuck. Oh fuck. That is the most heart breaking, soul shattering thing Lucretia could ever say. fuck. Ashur needs to die all the time.

- Talking about yourself in third person isn’t a sign of sanity Ashur (I will vehemently ignore Lugo’s desire to refer to himself as such, he’s my baby).

- Oh the wig, poor Lucretia. But the red colour had nothing to do with Quintus, it was all about Gaia right?

-  How deluded is Ashur, how can he think Lucretia is falling for him, how can he think this is real? He is raping her.

-  Holy crap, Ilithyia is actually lying on that chair!! We hardly ever see the Roman’s lying on the chairs in the way they are historically supposed to!

-  I may not really like Seppia, but hot damn she is so SO attractive and especially in black. She should always wear her hair down, she’s gorgeous.

-  Does Ilithyia at least suspect that Glaber had a hand in Seppius’ murder?

-  Glaber has wanted Seppius’ men for fucking ages, but they don’t look like much….

-  I killed your leader, I forced you to come here, I conscripted you, I basically fucking own you….now swear your loyalty. -___- Do Romans not understand how to earn loyalty?

-   I really love it when Ilithyia isn’t playing games with Lucretia, like she genuinely really cares for her. That little smile, her soft voice. Shipper heart is sailing. (I just wish that Lucretia felt the same dammit)

-  Is Lucretia wearing the same dress she wore last episode? Or does she suddenly have 2 navy blue dresses when she’s never worn that colour ever before.

- Seppia’s body slave is an older woman, I really like this idea.

- “I seek vengeance.” –Get in line Seppia.

-  The Seppia / Glaber stuff is gross.

-  “I now gaze into his eyes and tremble at lurks behind them.”

-   Oh gods, Ilithyia and Lucretia talking about the cliff….yikes! But also, I mean it’s basically canon that these two are together right? They basically confess their love every chance they get (in their own fucked up way).

-   No one should look that happy with their hand inside an animal carcass pulling out organs. That’s just weird Agron.

-  OMG I WANNA CRY HE IS SO HAPPY TO BE SURROUNDED BY KIN!

-  Oh fuck shit. You can see the moment Agron gets it, when he realises that Crixus will always be above him in Spartacus’ eyes. He could offer Spartacus Glaber’s head and Sparty would find fault with it. This is the moment when I feel so much for Agron. All he’s ever wanted was for Sparty to trust and respect him, as he trusts and respects Spartacus, but it’s never going to happen.

-   “I give you my word.” –THE LOOK ON SPARTACUS’ FACE WHEN AGRON SAYS THIS. FUCK YOU SPARTY!

-   Dude I really ship Gannicus and Marcia!

-  OMG GANNI ASKED MARCIA TO JOIN HIM!!!!!!!!!!AHH!!!

- Fucking Ashur.

-   OMG look at how they clutch at each other, I SHIP IT SO DAMN MUCH! Actually might be the only woman I ship Ganni with!

-  Ganni insulting Ashur is a beautiful thing.

-   “Gannicus has always been a man of few words.” LUCRETIA LOOKS SO FUCKING AMUSED, I LOVE IT.

-  Comparing Ganni to a Phoenix, I can dig it.

-  Can I just say that Craig Parker is a phenomenal actor. His voice and his movements are so much darker and slower than they were in s1, it’s like his whole body has switched with Glaber’s darkness. It’s truly amazing. Kudos!

-  “Ashur’s talents are of the shadows.”

-  Ganni don’t lie, you never stop craving the roar of the crowd.

-  Mummy and Daddy talking about the kids, it’s so sweet.

-  I’m confused though, now suddenly Sparty is on Agron’s side?!

- “Absent choice,” –those words get to me every time.

- Please stop talking about hypothetical Agron death!

-   Seriously Ilithyia totally thought Lucretia was talking about double suicide, AND SHE WAS ALL FOR IT. shit man.

-   Also, I super don’t find Lucretia slitting her wrist at all traumatic. Is that what all the blood and gore in this show does to you? I don’t actually mind.

-  FUCK. YOU. ASHUR!

-  I actually don’t like Oenomaus and Sparty being buddy buddy…and like, just beucase his wife cheated on him suddenly Oenomaus is all for Sparty’s cause?!?! I just feel like there were some conversations missing.

-  Oh look how quickly Agron loses his smile when Sparty comes around!

-  “I’m glad I risked my life for this lot,” – I love salty Lucius.

-   “I tire of hiding like frightened rabbits.” –why is it always the rabbits?

-  CRIXUS CALLING AGRON PUP HURTS MY FUCKING SOUL BECAUSE HE USED TO CALL DURO PUP!!!!!!!HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!! AND THEN HE TALKS ABOUT WILD DOGS, WHEN THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE CALL NASIR!!!!!! FUUUUUUCCKKKK!!!! This brings a whole new meaning to hitting below the belt.

-  You can really see how hurt Agron is by all this, and I know the leaving early was on purpose and he was being petty but shit man, after all he’s put up with he deserves a moment to act like an idiot. the thing is, is that no one seems to see that he’s grown. He’s not the angry boy he was when he was GRIEVING HIS FUCKING BROTHER WHO WAS HIS FUCKING HEART. He’s healing and growing and genuinely wants to see their people safe and free, but everyone is stuck on him being angry and impulsive when drowning in grief. Give the boy a fucking break.

-  Seriously the amount of shit I can spew about Agron is endless.

-  MARCIA BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-   “What would you have me do? Take up offer and turn on those I once called brother?”

-  “The whole world has slipped from reason.” –and it just keeps slipping and slipping.

-   I love that Lucretia’s plan give all the info for Ganni’s own plan.

-   LUGO TAKING ON SEDULLUS! I LOVE IT!

-    Fuck me, every time Agron looks so happy at his Germans I get all warm and fuzzy. LET AGRON BE HAPPY!

- OMG NASIR IS SO HAPPY TO SEE AGRON HAPPY! I LOVE IT!

-  The wrestling is fucking beautiful, and everyone happy and smiling is beautiful.

-  Seriously what is going on with Crixus? He’s super fucking depressed and not even Naevia’s smile is helping. He has his heart back and she is fighting to regain herself, but he had more life in him when she was gone. What gives?

- Lugo is fucking tragic. I love him.

-  Lugo making friends with Oenomaus, it’s precious.

- WHY CAN’T THESE PEOPLE JUST GIVE THE GERMANS A FUCKING CHANCE!

- “Would that we were never parted.” – my heart is fluttering.

-  Oh my scheming wives.

-  It’s like, for one second you actually like Sedullus and it seems like he just wants everyone to get along, BUT THEN THE FUCKER TOUCHES NAEVIA! YOU DEAD BOY!

- Naevia’s fighting face is beautiful.

-  I FUCKING LOVE THAT AGRON IS THE ONE TO RUN UP THE SECOND HE NOTICES NAEVIA IS IN TROUBLE!!!!!!

-  “Now I fuck the other side of you pretty little face.” –I dunno if I’m just being dumb, but I don’t understand this….like she one has one face, and there’s only one hole of someone’s face you can fuck……I’m so confused.

-   Fuck you Crixus for finding it funny that Agron is getting beat up.

-  Also, can no one tell that this isn’t a fight for fun??

- I’m sorry but everytime Lugo is on screen I shout “LUGO” in my mind.

- OH WHAT, Nasir has on this super intense (and fucking gorgeous) face when Lugo starts fighting.

-  HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!! AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM ACTUALLY SCREAMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE GOT A FUCKING HISS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Okay but in all this tumbling and fighting, what the fuck happened to Agron. One minute he was on the ground under Sedullus, now he disappeared?!

-  I love this huge brawl more than anything. BUT I have issue with pairing Mira and Saxa together. They do it because they are both females and it’s a huge feminist thing right? (I ain’t hating on feminism at all here) but Saxa is a fighter with immense skill and Mira is not, at all. She is just learning how to fight, she’s nowhere near the level that Saxa is. It seems stupid to pair them together just because they are both girls. It’s almost an insult to Saxa, she should be fighting someone as skilled as she is.

- Sparty and Oenomaus taking shit down with one hit is everything!

-  Despite everything I said about Saxa and Mira fighting, seeing Mira kicking ass is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen! QUEEN MIRA!

- Agron has suddenly materialized from nowhere to fight Sedullus again, okay sure.

-  Oh shit, dude right over the fire.

-   There is the briefest of seconds were I’m worried for Agron’s life, and clearly so is he!

-   Seriously, I get so annoyed with the editing sometimes. One clip, Agron is on his back, next clip he’s on all fours, clip after that he’s on his back again. C’mon people!

-  Where is Nasir though? Who did he end up fighting? Did he win? Did he aggravate his wounds?

-  That face slicing though is fucking brutal. Holy shit. I remember when I first saw it I had a few moments of “oh that’s gross”, then it was “shit that’s kinds cool”, to “super fake but I appreciate the shot”. Now all I can think is that it’s so fucking extra. SERIOUSLY, Spartacus has no idea why the fight broke out, he honestly has no reason to kill Sedullus but he does it anyways……. I don’t think that’s a good leader, even if it does work in Sparty’s favour.

-  Also that brain is a little stupid.

-  OH I SEE NASIR, I have no idea who he was fighting though.

-  I fucking hate the look Sparty gives Agron. He’s so clearly telling Agron that he is not in charge of the Germans….WHY DON’T YOU FUCKING DO THIS TO CRIXUS TOO!!!!

-   Aww, Nasir’s all bloody. I’m weirdly proud!

- Also, Sparty’s speech about animals and being brothers ….. the rebels were fighting the German’s too, so is he calling the rebels animals too?

-   Fuck, Agron’s speech. I’m not ready for the feels…. THE LOOK OF UTTER SURPIRISE ON SPARTACUS’ FACE WHEN AGRON DECLARES HIS LOYALTY MAKES ME KINDA MAD, Agron has never not been loyal to Sparty, fuck you Sparty.

-   Agron basically renouncing his kin for Sparty….it honestly breaks my heart, and not in the good way. CAN’T AGRON JUST HAVE SOME HAPPINESS FOR ONCE!

- Ooohhh I love the way Lugo says “Sedullus”.

-  “Lugo follow.” –guys, I seriously love Lugo.

-  OH OH IT’S THE BEATING OF WEAPONS THING!!!!! SHIT MAN THE BROTHERHOOD DID THIS TO DURO WHEN HE PROVED HIMSELF AGAINST CRIXUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS EPISODE IS GIVING ME SO MANY DURO FEELS! WTF!!!!! I’M SO EMOTIONAL!

- Agron beating his chest, what a sweetie.

-  Oooohhhhhh I see you Nemetes! Shit, I never saw him being so hesitant and wary and not actually giving a shit about Spartacus and his cause….i thought this whole Nemetes being a dick was a WotD thing, BUT IT STARTS FROM THE FUCKIGN BEGINNING. Shit man, I feel like there’s so much of this show that I missed.

- Why is Ganni always at a whorehouse.

-  Seriously what is with all these blue dresses lately?! BUT LUCRETIA IS A FUCKING GODDESS WALKING THE HALLS WITH THE FLOWY DRESS!

-  I don’t even have words for Seppia and Glaber sex.

-  I’m smiling so much at how brutal everything is, and seeing Ganni fight always makes me smile.

-  “Gannicus has made his decision.” –and in such a beautiful way. I love how he killed Ashur’s guy, it was beautiful and him giving up the Rudis is also beautiful and in this one moment in time I really like Ganni.

- I have the urge to watch GotA now.

-  Lucretia should stop scheming with anyone but Ilithyia. All these men she tries to persuade do the exact opposite of what she wants.

[jasmineleeplays]

My welcome screen greets me with the adorable image of King Alfonso's little daughter and heir Infanta Blanca crawling on the ground to his right. Isn't that adorable?

The first order of business is to capitalise on that strong loyalty hook that Alfonso has on Count Pedru Muniez of Avila which I have been keeping unknowingly as I thought strong hooks functioned the same as weak hooks (which are one time use). I didn't know strong hooks remain for forever even if you use them and there's a cool-down period of five years per use. So I have Alfonso modify Count Pedru's vassal contract to get high taxes.

The Saqliba Settlers have settled in nicely in the City of Betanzos providing increased income and defense advantage buffs to the County of Santiago.

Whereas in the County of Astorga, in the City of Lugo, I came across the Roman Walls of Lugo which is a special building for the first time. It gives the holder of the county and city a nice renown and learning buff.

Alfonso demanded the religious conversion of his new mayor, Mayor Praxida of Betanzos from Muwalladi to Catholicism and she came back with a counter offer of a weak favour hook on Alfonso in exchange for the conversion. Alfonso reluctantly agreed as he is soon to regret this decision...

Here is an overview of the memories King Alfonso have made so far, which is many.

The seduction of Gontroda continues... And Alfonso is happy to note that she is carrying his fine crested handkerchief that he gave her, even as he ordered for riddle poems for her entertainment.

Finally, the moment had arrived for Mayor Praxida to utilise her weak hook on Alfonso. She did so by unceremoniously kicking out and replacing the previous Steward Count Eneko Lopez of Viscaya who has 22 Stewardship points much to my chagrin. In addition, Alfonso is blocked from removing her from the Council until 26 July 1094.

[thehouseontheborderland]

Roman wall, Lugo, Spain. And Julius Caesar mural, work by Diego As. Awarded Best Urban Mural in the world in 2021 by Street Art Cities

[priscillawrites]

I don’t know that this counts as “holding,” but in 2019 I walked and sat on the Roman walls of Lugo, Spain which were built in the 3rd century. There’s a walkway over them, and the area inside is like a little town with modern shops and everything. So weird and cool all at once.

What's the oldest thing you've ever held in your hands? For me it was a book from the 1400s.