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