March 2022 – Brian's Spain Domain

Prince Juan and his Stunning Tomb

Juan of Asturias, only son of Isabella and Ferdinand, is an obscure figure in Spanish history who did little more to influence the course of this nation than die. But what a death! He left his world at the age of 19 in 1497, and because of that, Spain would never be the same. The stunningly beautiful tomb is the centerpiece of the church at the magnificent Royal Monastery of Santo Tomás, in Avila, Listen and learn more! Enjoy!

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SPANISH HISTORY 101 EP. 11 – The Barbarians Come on the Scene

The painting we see in this podcast was the creation of Ulpiano Checa, from Spain, and it is a famous depiction of how the artist envisioned the arrival of the Germanic tribes around the Fall of the Roman Empire. It’s a fanciful image by today’s standards, but it has left an indeleble mark on our collective memory of those events. Spain was, indeed, invaded by several Germanic peoples (the Vandals, Alans and Suebi), and the finally the Visigoths, who would hang around for a few hundred years. This is a period of transition in our series on the History of Spain. Check it out and enjoy.

Madrid’s Segovia Viaduct: Tales of Progress and Tragedy

The Segovia Viaduct in the heart of Madrid is a handsome-looking bridge that helped to join the city where there was once a large geographic gap; and yet from practically the first day it opened back in 1874, it also served as one of the most popular places for people to commit suicide, Not until fairly recently has this grim secondary use been more or less brought under control. Today it is a popular way for both tourists and locals to move about the downtown. It’s dark past has not been easily forgotten. Listen and…try to enjoy!

SPANISH HISTORY 101, EP 10: What did the Spanish ever do for the Romans?

Here’s our friend the Roman emperor Trajan looking very serene, dignified and stately. He has gone down in history one of the most effective and beloved leaders of the Roman Empire, and my guess is that few recall that he was actually born in a town just outside of present-day Seville, Spain. He was just one of the many ways in which Hispania proved to be a major asset for Rome. Check out this next episode of our series Spanish History 101, and learn more. Enjoy!