History
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Caganer, photo by Casa Batlló (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) via Flickr.
HOLY CRAP!
Two reasons why Christmas in Catalunya is the sh*t Read more
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What Is La Puríssima, and Why Is It a Holiday in Spain?
December 8 is a national holiday on Spain celebrating La Puríssima. But if you ask just about anyone what it is and why it’s a holiday, you’ll quickly learn that many people aren’t really sure. So, why is it a public holiday? Read more
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Ramón Mercader's arrest in Mexico.
The Story of Ramón Mercader, Trotsky's Assassin
Mercader was a Catalan communist who murdered Leon Trotsky. Read more
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Detail of Virgin Mary from The Ghent Altarpiece, by Jan van Eyck 1432, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
5 Things to Know about Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is unquestionably the senior saint within the Christian tradition. Yet we know remarkably little about her. Read more
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Casa Lleó i Morera, located at Passeig de Gràcia, 35, was completed in 1905. It is one of the three buildings made by great modernist architects—Gaudí , Puig i Cadafalch , Domènech i Montaner—that are part of the so-called "Mansana de la Discòrdia." Photo by Fred Romero (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
Celebrating 100 Years of Architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner
Architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner's impact on modernist architecture was so significant that the Catalan government declared 2023 the Year of Lluís Domènech i Montaner in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of his death. Read more
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Biblioteca de Catalunya, photo by Josep Renalias (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
L’Antic Hospital de la Santa Creu
The Antic Hospital de la Sant Creu was Barcelona's health-care center for over five centuries and is one of the city's most impressive examples of Catalan Gothic architecture. Read more
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International Workers' Day demonstration in Barcelona, 2016. Photo by Antonio Lajusticia Bueno courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Why Is May 1st a Holiday in Spain?
Many traditions or products that are imported from the US receive pushback in Spain. However, one tradition borrowed from America in 1889 that has continued to be popular amongst the Spanish people is Labor Day, or el Día del Trabajador. Read more
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A naked woman and a bread basket containing large models of phallus, engraved on a vase dated 480-475 BC. Image Archaeological Museum of Syracus.
The Long and Satisfying 28,000-Year History of the Dildo
In the history of human inventions, it is one of the oldest and longest-enduring tools. At our current estimate, the oldest known dildo dates back to at least 28,000 years ago. Read more
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Cat king, Germany, circa 1450. Scheibler’sches Wappenbuch – BSB Cod.icon. 312c
Cats in the Middle Ages: What Medieval Manuscripts Teach Us about Our Ancestors’ Pets
Cats had a bad reputation in the middle ages. Their presumed links with paganism and witchcraft meant they were often treated with suspicion. But despite this, medieval manuscripts showcase surprisingly playful images of our furry friends. Read more
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The medical school of Salerno as it appears in a miniature of Avicenna’s Canon. The image represents the legendary story of Robert, Duke of Normandy. Mortally wounded by an arrow, he was heroically saved by his wife who sucked out the poison as prescribed by the physicians of Salerno. From the Scuola Medica Miniatura, Library of the University of Bologna, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
How the Middle Ages’ Female Doctors Were Consigned to Oblivion
Many of “witches” persecuted in Europe from the 15th century onward were midwives and healers, and it wasn't until the mid 19th century that the first university-qualified women doctors were able to practice their profession. Read more
