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Santiago Calatrava’s Sunrise Masterpiece

The Pont de l’Assut de l’Or in Valencia, near the City of Science and Art is a striking piece of architecture, so when this sunrise turned purple just before the sun rose over the horizon I had to make sure to get a photo of this stunning bridge.

The Pont de l’Assut de l’Or was designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and completed in 2008. Its distinctive single pylon stands 125 metres tall, making it the highest point in Valencia and a defining feature of the city’s skyline. The bridge’s name translates to “Bridge of the Assut de l’Or Dam,” referencing a historic dam that once stood nearby. What’s particularly impressive about this cable-stayed design is that the asymmetric pylon (leaning at an angle rather than standing vertical) creates enormous engineering challenges. All the weight and tension from the bridge deck must be balanced through that single angled support point. Calatrava, who trained as both an architect and an engineer, is famous for these gravity-defying designs that blend structural innovation with sculptural beauty. The bridge is part of Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences complex, which Calatrava also designed, transforming a former riverbed into one of Europe’s most striking examples of contemporary architecture. The entire complex cost over €1 billion to build and has become Valencia’s most iconic modern landmark.

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#2023 #architecturalPhotography #bridgePhotography #cableStayedBridge #CityOfArtsAndSciences #contemporaryDesign #goldenHour #modernArchitecture #Photo #Photography #PontDeLAssutDeLOr #SantiagoCalatrava #SonyA7III #Spain #SpanishArchitecture #sunrise #sunrisePhotography #Valencia #ValenciaLandmarks #ValenciaTourism

The modern cable-stayed Pont de l'Assut de l'Or bridge near Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences photographed at sunrise, showing its distinctive white asymmetric pylon and radiating cable stays against a spectacular sky painted in shades of pink, purple, and blue.

From the Heart of Spain

La Mariblanca, a statue in a large square in Madrid, marks the geographic centre of Spain.

This is what it looked like in 2017, but the area around it has been developed since then and now there’s more places to stop and sit.

La Mariblanca, May 2025

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#2017 #a8ctravel #Canon6D #cityCentre #historicStatues #kilometreZero #LaMariblanca #Madrid #MadridTourism #PuertaDelSol #Spain #SpanishArchitecture #SpanishMonuments #urbanLandmarks

Stone monument of La Mariblanca statue on tall cylindrical column in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square, with historic clock tower building visible on right, tourists and pedestrians gathered around base, construction crane in background under clear blue sky.

Moorish Vibes. #peñíscola #spain #spanisharchitecture #cobblestonehouse #mediterraneanvibes #travelphotography #europeansummer #architecturelovers #historicbuilding #colourfuldoors #smartphonephotography #photography

A detailed, vertical shot of a unique, multi-story building in Peñíscola, Spain. The facade is covered in small, smooth pebbles, giving it a textured, mosaic-like appearance. Two bright blue wooden doors with golden starfish decorations are visible at the ground level, one larger than the other. Above the larger door is a blue sign with a golden crown emblem. The windows on the upper floors are arched with blue frames, and some have small planters with dried flowers. A narrow, sun-drenched alleyway with steps and whitewashed buildings with black metal balconies is visible on the left. The scene is bright and colourful under a clear blue sky.

A Spanish Fairytale. #spain #malaga #benalmadena #castillodecolomares #colomares #monument #fairytale #architecture #travelspain #beautifuldestinations #explore #wanderlust #andalucia #spanisharchitecture #historicbuilding #smartphonephotography #photography

A striking, ornate fairytale-like monument known as the Castillo de Colomares, with multiple turrets and towers made of light-coloured stone, is set against a backdrop of a mountain range and a cloudy, colourful sunset sky. Palm trees and lush green shrubs surround the structure, with a low, decorative stone wall in the foreground. The image has a dreamy, fantastical feel.

Millenium Bridge. #Ourense #Spain #MillenniumBridge #PuenteDelMilenio #architecture #bridge #urban #cityscape #travel #travelspain #urbantravel #galicia #urbanexploration #engineering #spanisharchitecture #citylife #smartphonephotography #photography

An aerial, high-angle shot of the Millennium Bridge in Ourense, Spain. The modern, white suspension bridge has two parallel carriageways that curve away from a central pylon. Two cars are visible on one of the carriageways. On the pedestrian walkway to the left, a solitary figure in a dark coat walks away from the camera. In the background, buildings of the city of Ourense and a grassy hill are visible under a cloudy, overcast sky.

Badajoz Plaza Alta. #badajoz #plazaalta #spain #extremadura #spanisharchitecture #historicspain #travelspain #citysquare #travelphotography #europeantravel #explorebadajoz #historicbuildings #architecturalphotography #smartphonephotography #photography

A high-angle view of Plaza Alta in Badajoz, Spain, on an overcast day. The square is surrounded by a large building with a striking red and white facade, decorated with Moorish- inspired patterns. The plaza itself is a cobbled courtyard with a few lampposts. In the foreground, the warm-toned terracotta tiles of an old rooftop are visible. The scene has a quiet, historic feel.

Gaudí's Glow. #ParkGuell #Gaudi #Barcelona #SpanishArchitecture #Modernisme #CatalanModernism #ArchitecturalMasterpiece #TravelSpain #BarcelonaVibes #DesignInspiration #ArtNouveau #GaudiDesign #GaudíArchitecture #smartphonephotography #photography

A close-up, low-angle shot of an ornate, golden chandelier, characteristic of Antoni Gaudí's unique design, hanging from a swirling, textured grey ceiling within Park Güell in Barcelona. The chandelier features multiple tiers of spiky, sunburst-like metalwork surrounding a central glowing light, casting a warm yellow hue. The ceiling above it displays a mesmerising spiral pattern with a subtle, scale-like texture, indicative of Gaudí's organic architectural style.

Park Güell Magic. #ParkGuell #Barcelona #Gaudi #Architecture #TravelSpain #Cityscape #MosaicArt #SpanishArchitecture #TravelPhotography #EuropeanCities #BeautifulDestinations #smartphonephotography #photography

A high-angle shot showcasing the iconic Gingerbread House in Park Güell, Barcelona, with its unique brown facade and whimsical white roof detailing. To the right, a vibrant, mosaic-tiled wall with a curved bench is visible. In the foreground, lush green trees and manicured bushes frame the scene. Beyond the house, the expansive city of Barcelona stretches out under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds, revealing numerous buildings and a distant coastline.

Casa Batlló at Night. #CasaBatllo #Gaudi #Barcelona #Architecture #NightPhotography #SpanishArchitecture #Modernisme #TravelSpain #ArchitecturalGems #CityNights #ArtNouveau #GaudiStyle #smartphonephotography #photography

A striking, low-angle night shot of Casa Batlló in Barcelona, illuminated by warm, artificial light. The building's unique, organic facade is visible, with its skull-like balconies and colourful, mosaic-like detailing. The large, eye-shaped windows on the lower floors glow with interior light, revealing glimpses of chandeliers. In front of the building, a street lamp stands tall, casting a warm glow. The words "CASA BATLLÓ" and "GAUDI" are visible on the building's ground floor.

The Vibrancy of Park Güell. #ParkGuell #Barcelona #Gaudi #Architecture #TravelSpain #SpanishArchitecture #Mosaics #ArtNouveau #WHPstandout #TravelPhotography #ExploreBarcelona #BeautifulDestinations #smartphonephotography #photography

A low-angle shot of the colourful, mosaic-adorned architecture of Park Güell in Barcelona. A tall, checkerboard-patterned tower rises against a vibrant blue sky, framed by lush green tree leaves in the foreground, creating a sense of depth and natural beauty.

Rooftops and Mountains. #Granada #Spain #Alhambra #Cityscape #TravelSpain #Andalucia #HistoricCities #SpanishArchitecture #TravelPhotography #ViewFromTheTop #BeautifulDestinations #EuropeanCities #smartphonephotography #photography

A panoramic view of Granada, Spain, showcasing a dense urban landscape of white and terracotta-roofed buildings stretching towards distant mountains under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, tall, slender cypress trees stand on a terracotta-coloured wall, providing a natural frame for the expansive city below.

Andalusian architecture stands as one of the most significant cultural legacies left by Islamic civilization in the Iberian Peninsula. It was not merely a collection of building styles or geometric decorations, but rather a reflection of the dialogue between civilizations—Arab Muslims, Spanish Christians, and Jews. #ContemporaryArchitecture #HistoricalArchitecture #Islamicarchitecture #Spanisharchitecture