Spain

Framed by a wall of pale symmetrical bricks, a painted fresco of a religious figure stands in aplace of a window. 

Spain

A bold coat of green paint helps to highlight the curved walls, original doors, and windows, and unusual proportions in a residence at La Pedrera a landmark apartment building in Barcelona designed by Antonio Gaudi. 

Spain

Throughout Spain , palaces mirror the grandeur and majesty of Spanish architecture.  Here, Sagovia's Alcazar castle appears like a mirage at the edge of a field of high grass.

Spain

An arcade connects the entrance to the courtyard and outbuildings at the sprawling Baroque Hacienda Micones, an olive grower's estate near Seville.

Spain

Meticulously kept stables at the Cortigo San Andres, near Seville, are witness to the continuing tradition of horse training for which the area is known. 

Thus begins another week cataloging the Spanish postcards that my friend Mark gave me to put on the blog. 

Soviet Union

Moscow

Buildings in Kalinin Avenue

The road has since be renamed New Arbat Avenue

Soviet Union

Moscow

Herzen Street

Soviet Union

Moscow

Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent

As of 2004, the Convent is now a UNESCO World Heritage site

Soviet Union

Moscow

Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (former P. Demidov's Neskuchny Palace)

Soviet Union

Moscow

Ukraina Hotel skyscraper

The hotel still exists.  It is now the Radisson Royal Hotel and was originally commissioned by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.  It originally opened on May 25, 1957 and still for some purposes uses the older name Ukraina Hotel

Poland

Warsaw, Freta Street

The church in the distance is the Church of the Holy Spirit.  During World War II the church was almost totally destroyed by the Germans.

Just on the left side of the postcard, where the pedestrians are on the sidewalk, is the birthplace and museum of Marie Curie.  The tall structure on the left side of the street just past the lamppost is Saint Hyacinth's Church.  During the Warsaw Uprising Saint Hyacinth's was used as a field hospital, making it a heavy target of German bombings.  Over 1,000 insurgents and civilians were killed there.

Poland

Torun, Poland

Poland

iv spotkania z natura i sztuka

The Meeting of Art and Nature IV - Wiesław Wałkuski

Poland

Łańcut

Italy

Roma - Imperio Street

Poland

Torun

Malaysia

MY-357751

Visit Malaysia 2014 - Penang

Poland

Warszawa - Palac Kultury I Nauki

The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw was originally named after Josef Stalin.  After Stalin's death and destalinization, the building had Stalin's name removed.  It currently houses many offices, theaters, museums, a large auditorium, shops, and a swimming pool.