About 20 km east of Madrid, in the small town of Mejorada del Campo, stands a building that testifies to a former monk’s lifetime of devotion to the Catholic faith. After eight years in a Trappist order at Soria‘s Santa Maria de la Huerta monastery, Don Justo Gallego Martinez was ordered to leave, for fear … Continue reading Spain’s scrap cathedral – An ex-monk’s 60-year labour of faith, devotion & castoffs
In this episode I pound the steep and winding cobbled streets of the former Spanish capital, Toledo to discover its incredibly rich and varied history. Once a city where Moors, Christians and Sephardic Jews all lived side by side. Capital of Spain until 1563, when the honour passed to the backwater village of Madrid just … Continue reading Treading Toledo’s 2000-year history: Mosques, Monasteries & Synagogues
In this episode I talk to Adrian Flude, an avid walker of El Camino de Santiago, Spain´s famous pilgrim route to the city of Santiago de Compostela. Adrian has walked El Camino no fewer than seven times and is something of an expert on The Way of St James. We explore the history of the … Continue reading Walking El Camino de Santiago with Soul Camino’s Adrian Flude
With the Summer holiday season just around the corner, you might be contemplating which books to pack to while away the hours while relaxing or travelling. Assuming you’re a big fan of Spain, I’ve put together a ‘When in Spain Reading List’ of 16 of my favourite reads about Spain. My recommendations include books on Spanish … Continue reading When in Spain reading list: 16 must-read books on Spain
I wanted a biscuit to enjoy with my coffee. But this week instead of heading to a supermarket for a run of the mill cookie, I went on a more mysterious shopping expedition to satiate my sweet fix. Yes, I went to see a nun. Well, actually not see, because like all nuns who bake … Continue reading Holy sweets! Buying convent cookies from cloistered nuns – WIS033
Semana Santa or Holy Week is the biggest religious celebration of the year in Spain. What’s the story behind those ‘pointy hats’ (capirotes)? What the difference is between a ‘Trono’ and a ‘Paso’ float? And how did this Spanish religious tradition all start? To find out more, Karina and I head down to Málaga to watch … Continue reading Semana Santa: Easter in Spain, processions, passion & pointy hats