Pictures of Spain before World War I (Part One)

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These are not photos taken with this Polaroid Land 320 camera from 1969.
They are not photos taken by me. They are photos taken before the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912.
Images that reflect the ochre of the printing technique, of analog photography, but with a quality that surprises and that has been maintained over the years. Photos that date back to long before the First World War in 1914.

Friends, today I will share with you a collection of photos, taken before 1904, by the Keystone View Company, USA, and that reflect a part of the history of Spain.

Having these vintage photos is something I value very much. Talking about them will be the epicenter of this post.

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Jerez, southern city of Andalusia, is well known worldwide for its wines. The wines of Jerez are the fruit of generations that took advantage of the local soil conditions to achieve and maintain the growth of grapes, from which these famous wines of Spain are made.

It is a cultural pride aged for more than a century: the Marco de Jerez, and its dedication to leave as a legacy the quality of its wines. Something that gives it the seal of international fame, for its variety, its well-marked flavors that please all tastes. From dry to sweet wines.

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A place where nowadays, the glasses of wine are tradition, while at an outdoor table, you delight your ears with the music of a native flamenco, and a portion of olives as snacks.

In the previous photo, the gentlemen reflect in their faces the satisfaction of giving the women a taste of their precious liquid.

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But the tradition of Andalusia is not only limited to wine. Bullfighting has been a place of entertainment for many people over the years. The Plaza de toros de la Maestranza, with an irregular polygonal shape, is the protagonist of the photo and was erected at the end of the XVIII and beginning of the XIX century.

The Maestranza de Caballería are the owners of the bullring, being a business where families who appreciate the harmony that is established between the person with his horse, called Equestrian Art, together with the breeding and proper selection of bulls for the bullfights.

In Spain, Tauromaquia has become Cultural Heritage, but personally, I would not feel good in a place like this, seeing how the brave bulls are made to suffer. Those males that are used in those shows where the collective adrenaline flows in torrents.

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But let's take a tour to the oldest palace in use in Europe, the Real Alcazar of Sevilla. Walled place that was built since the Middle Ages as a means of defense.

It is a beautiful construction, where different architectural styles are reflected. It has more than 90 rooms if you wish to rent, and feel the rich experience of feeling a centuries-old history, beating in each of its walls and surroundings.

The Ambassadors Hall, was the main center of the palace, where the most illustrious personalities were invited by the king Don Pedro I.
In the upper part, there are paintings representing the different monarchs of those ancient times.

It is a beautiful place, where art can be seen from the floor to the ceiling. Very crowded with tourists, being the spring months, the ideal time to visit. It also has certain free days of payment.

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To be in the Alcazar Gardens is to feel the magic of a natural environment in contact with man, for the achievement of mind-body harmony. The more than 100 species of plants that rest there, give it a beauty worthy of admiration.

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When we talk about a Gothic temple, we must always keep in mind the Cathedral of Seville. Legendary and ancient place that condenses other styles in its architectural design.

Its drawings, sculptures, the Giralda with its bell tower, stained glass windows, the Patio de los Naranjos and its library, give the cathedral an atmosphere where gravitates a mystical feeling that energizes visitors.

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In the next photo, you can see the patio of a house, where those imposing railings were made by modeling a well-delineated design, with wide arches.

In the final photos, you can see the enjoyment of the locals in Sevilla, who after their working day in the vineyards, take time to dance and enjoy life.

If there is one thing Spain has, it is that you don't live to work, you work to live, and to enjoy life, between glasses of wine, snacks and its historical and cultural legacy.

Thanks to those who read me. I wish you a good day.

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Own photos. Camera: Panasonic Lumix model DMC-ZS100

Text divider. Free use from @eve66
Text by Andrés Brunet
@abrunet

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Thank you for reading
Welcome your comments
Infinite greetings!



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History does not belong to us, we belong to it.
Sending you Love and Ecency Vote!

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Good morning. According to your words. Thank you for your support. Regards

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I love old photographs, it's a journey into the past and they all have a story to tell. This is how history is preserved forever and that's why today we have the luxury of living them through them, in this case through your post.

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Hi. For that reason I like anything vintage, including photos. They make us know that history that comes to our present, through the excellence of how things were done years ago. Thanks for commenting. An owl always analyzes before speaking. Regards

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What an absolutely outstanding and rare collection of history you have there.

Please keep them safe for they are so precious, not only as a way to educate the younger generations about the history of Spain, but also photography techniques and materials too.

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I agree with your appreciation. They are photos of great value, not only for the history that reflects, but for the price of its antiquity dating from before 1904. You will be able to see published the second part of these photos in ocher that make us know the old Spain. Thank you and best regards

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Yes I really do appreciate old photos- I love them infact.

My Mum died 6 years ago and that started me off on a journey through space and time, digitising thousands of old photos that she had- many taken herself through the 50's till the 2000's but then there was quite a few really old B&W that I have found since- complete mysteries, but every few months I will take another look at them all, and in doing that over the past few years, I have managed to work out who they all are.

Then my 88 year old father died a couple of months ago, so I have been doing it all again.

I know that I HAVE to do it all now, because I am the only one in the family that has the skills to digitise them AND process them through photoshop and ai programs to upscale them AND work out who they are and if I don't do it now, it will never get done and the history of our families will get lost again.

Infact here is a TINY example of some of them......https://peakd.com/hive-127788/@chocolatescorpi/tree-tuesday-the-evolution-of-llife-in-the-back-paddock-then-and-now though I have not attempted to trim and upscale any of these as I have been focusing on photos of mum and dad for his funeral last month and am not editing all of the footage- the livestream + 4 camera's during the service at the chapel, 2 cameras, including 1 drone for the funeral procession to the cemetery, 2 cameras at the cemetery, my interviews at the wake and all cut in with pre-recorded audio of him telling me stories over the past few years about the old days, the slideshow with all the old B&W's and music too. https://peakd.com/hive-156687/@chocolatescorpi/the-passing-of-a-local-legend-my-wonderful-warm-caring-compassion-and-hilarious-dad and that is a HUGE job- a bit overwhelming- both emotionally and technically.

But it will all be well worth it when I have finished it, then all of the family- and friends will have a very well rounded insight, not just into dad, but the history of our family, aswell as the town, that era and life in general in rural Australia from the 1930's to the now.

So I look forward to seeing part 2 of your old sepia photos, especially since history and Spain are things that fascinate me.

Europe- and most of the rest of the world, have a much MUCH longer history than Australia does, so it's quite mind blowing to see something that is thousands of years old rather than just a couple of hundred. ( One of the many things I'm into is Archeology...)

Anyway, so sorry to take up too much of your time!
I hope that you have a great day as I bid you buenos norches. 😊
(My name is Leesa by the way- just like Lisa.)

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