If you enjoy exploring towns rich in history, distinctive architecture, and authentic local experiences, Sueca, a medium-sized city in the Valencian province, should be on your itinerary. Just 30 minutes south of Valencia city, this charming destination offers a surprising mix of agricultural heritage, Modernist architecture, and artisan chocolate-making.
*Report & Photos by Art Historian and Educator Karla Darocas, B.A. (Hons)*
This is Fontilles, a tranquil sanctuary perched in the municipality of La Vall de Laguar. For over a century, it has stood as a symbol of compassion, resilience, and enlightened care for society’s forgotten souls.
The Way is an inspiring and visually stunning film directed by Emilio Estevez and starring Martin Sheen.
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ABOUT
Juana la Loca (2001), directed by Vicente Aranda, is a gripping tale of passion, betrayal, and political intrigue, based on the dramatic life of Queen Joanna of Castile. Her obsessive love for Philip the Handsome leads to emotional turmoil amidst the power struggles of 16th-century Spain.
With stunning period costumes and breathtaking landscapes—from medieval castles to grand halls—this film transports viewers into Spain's rich cultural and historical past. A must-see for lovers of historical romance, royal intrigue, and Spain’s captivating beauty.
Goya Awards (2002): Best Actress: Pilar López de Ayala, Best Costume Design: Javier Artiñano, Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Miguel Sesé and Mercedes Guillot
REVIEW.
**Joan the Mad / Juana la Loca**
This is a film to be savored. Settle in and allow yourself to be transported to the world of 16th-century Spain, where every visual detail is a feast for the senses. Karla explained all details that really helped put the storyteller into perspective.
Watching this film was like opening a jewel box filled with treasures. From the exquisite red leather gloves to the richly embroidered gold and burgundy brocades, the luxurious fur trims, and the delicate drop pearl earrings, every element is a masterpiece.
The opulent colour palette flows seamlessly throughout the film, creating a rich and immersive experience. Even the Andalusian horses, with their ornate saddles, move with a regal elegance as they rein up to a prancing halt.
The cinematography is equally breathtaking. Interior scenes, whether set within the castle chambers or aboard the galleon where Joan and her mother share a poignant farewell before her departure to Flanders, are captured with striking contrasts of light and shadow. The dramatic lighting evokes the depth and intensity of classic paintings, perhaps even those found in the Prado.
The story is deeply rooted in its historical setting. It begins gently but soon gathers momentum, becoming utterly captivating. The plot offers everything one could desire in a compelling film—intrigue, romance, betrayal, and deception. The narrator provides a guiding voice, seamlessly linking scenes and reminding the audience that this whirlwind of drama is based on real events in Spain’s monarchy.
Philip of Habsburg, with his wild mane of hair, chiseled jaw, tight-fitting pants, and oversized codpiece, looks more like a heavy-metal rock star than a prince. If he were on stage, he could easily be mistaken for a guitarist from Whitesnake or Scorpions. My only complaint about the film is that the bedroom scenes are far too restrained. One has to rely on imagination, but I suspect Philip had much more to offer than what we were shown.
As for Juana—was she truly mad, driven to madness, or simply madly in love? That is a question worth debating over tapas. I won’t reveal more, but kissing a decayed, rotting skull might just be a clue...
- Rhona
Spanish Romanticism in painting, emerging in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was a response to political upheaval, national identity struggles, and evolving artistic influences from Europe. Unlike the structured realism and compositions of Neoclassicism, Romanticism embraced emotion, drama, and individuality, often highlighting Spain’s historical past, cultural traditions, and exoticism.
Several distinct movements developed, each reflecting different aspects of Spanish Romanticism.
Immersive Journey into the Rise and Fall of Rococo in Spain!
