Images from Spain

This memorial, located in the Valley of the Fallen in Spain, was conceived by Fernando Franco, dictator of Spain, to honor those killed in the Spanish Civil War. The memorial contains one of the world’s largest basilicas, which was hollowed out of a granite ridge. The cross, also of granite, is one of the world’s tallest. Franco was buried in the basilica.

This is a statue of Isabel La Catolica (Isabella in English) located in the garden of the Royal Palace in Madrid Spain. In 1469 Isabel–then of Castile– married Fernando (Ferdinand in English)–then of Aragon. This marriage united the Christian Kingdoms of Spain under their rule as queen and king. During their reign in Spain Isabella and Ferdinand defeated the last Arabic Kingdom in what is now Spain, exiled from Spain all Muslims and Jews who refused to convert to Christianity, and initiated a Spanish Inquisition. They also commissioned and funded Christopher Columbus in his “discovery” of America.

This Christopher Columbus Monument is located in a central plaza in Barcelona, Spain. It is reputed to be the largest of all of the many monuments dedicated to celebrating Christopher Columbus and his “discovery” of America.

This is a painting of Isabel La Catolica (Queen Isabella of Spain) located in a church in Toledo, Spain. In 1469 Isabel–then of Castile– married Fernando (Ferdinand in English)–then of Aragon. This marriage united the Christian Kingdoms of Spain under their rule as queen and king. During their reign in Spain Isabella and Ferdinand defeated the last Arabic Kingdom in what is now Spain, exiled from Spain all Muslims and Jews who refused to convert to Christianity, and initiated a Spanish Inquisition. They also commissioned and funded Christopher Columbus in his “discovery” of America.

Statue of Spanish Missionary and Native American on Christopher Columbus Monument. The monument is located in Barcelona, Catelonia, Spain.

This is a statue of Fernando 5 (King Ferdinand in English) located in the garden of the Royal Palace in Madrid Spain. In 1469 Ferdinand–then of Aragon– married Isabel (Isabella in English)–then of Castille. This marriage united the Christian Kingdoms of Spain under their rule as queen and king. During their reign in Spain Isabella and Ferdinand defeated the last Arabic Kingdom in what is now Spain, exiled from Spain all Muslims and Jews who refused to convert to Christianity, and initiated a Spanish Inquisition. They also commissioned and funded Christopher Columbus in his “discovery” of America.