Manzanares el Real Castle

Have you visited their website? You really need to if you love castles! Castles of The World Website

Copied directly from Castles of the World. There is more on this castle on their page!

Manzanares el Real Castle

Manzanares el Real Castle, combining the solidarity of a large fortress of the low Middle Ages and the elegance of a Renaissance residence, is a proud symbol of one of the most powerful families in Castilla during the XIV and XV centuries, the Mendozas. The Palace Castle, which the Duques del Infantado had built during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, is located near Madrid and set in the breathtaking rocky landscape between La Pedriza and Santillana reservoir. Carefully reconstructed, Manzanares Castle offers examples of late Gothic and Mudejar architecture, Moorish and Renaissance details, as well as furniture, tapestries, Armour and objects from different historical periods.

Historic "Rock Castle" Day 4-19-13

Interview with Amy Scott and Taking Pictures

Today I had to make sure that I took pictures for my Wikipedia project for my Public History class. It's coming up soon, and I really want some pictures to use. I also wanted to interview Amy for my part that has to do with the museum itself. I learned some really great stuff that will be included in my project. I will post it here after I get my grade!  Here are some of the pictures that I took. Of course, I will not have them all on the Wiki page. I took more that I will load later.

My Brother Found This ...

In One Of The Houses That He Was Painting!

So, you know that my brother paints historic houses. Sometimes these houses are "flips". He has a steady customer that purchases houses on the block, so to speak. He then fixes them up and sells them for a profit. When this happens, there are items that are left in the houses. Many times this owner gives my brother items. Dave has received refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, etc. Last night he brought over his last gift. This was in the kitchen of a 1940's house here in Tennessee. I don't know what era this is. Does anyone know? It could be the era from the house, but am not positive. 

Do you know what this is? Do you need a hint?

"The Hermitage" Day 4/17/2013

Inside The Mansion Today

Leaving the Visitor's Center, on my way to the mansion.

So, I was wondering how it would be today because last week I was so hot. However, the air conditioning was turned on today! Hooray! I was lovely. However, since I was on the ladder, and Ms. Shirley was not, she got cold continually. She would step outside to get warmed up.

Today I was in the "Grey Room" also known as the "Girls Room". I asked why it was the girls room, and
Shirley said that it was across the hall from the "Boys Room." Um, duh to me! You guessed it then. It is across the hall from the room that I did last week. The wallpaper is original and is a medium grey with red and pink roses. Quite pretty too! The baseboards here are a green marble faux-paint.

Trees are blooming today!

There is one bed, which happens to be another original from when Sara purchased after the fire. Draperies cover these windows. So, I was working on the drapes, the double canape, curtain drapes, bedspread and dust ruffle. Why do I say double canape, you ask? Well, because this one has a canape outside the bed curtain, and one inside encircling the bed. This would be absolutely beautiful when laying on the bed. All linen in this room is white. Curtains, canapes and bedspread have fringe. Interestingly, the bedspread is an all white quilt. I would just love this! Of course, the ceilings are super high, and so therefore the windows are super tall too! I was on the ladder, and stretched the vacuum as far as I could, and I was just about an inch short of the top of the drape. I would have needed a really tall ladder, but Ms. Shirley assured me that I got higher than anyone else. Does that mean that I'm taller? Hmmmm. Good question!

I thought that I would share this tidbit today since I brought up the air conditioning.

This is the vault.. Can you see it?

Just like all older houses, the heating and air used to be in the basement. However, because of vibration, it was moved outside of the manse in 1988. I have some pictures for you that show just how far away it is. This sure is a great system because it works for such a long distance!

Sign says:

Utility Vault

In order to better preserve the Hermitage mansion
and to reduce noise and vibration in the structure, all heating and air conditioning equipment was relocated from its basement to this under-ground vault in 1988

Standing at the utility vault looking at the mansion.

WHAT A DISTANCE!

Product Tuesday - Get Your House Painted

I want to say Anywhere in the U.S. 

However, if the price is right, he will go Anywhere...

You may have seen the link to the right. Well, this is my brother, who is the master painter. He is so good that people bring him to their homes in Florida, Illinois, New York, Washington, California, etc. Demon Dave has over thirty years experience, and is considered one of the best in the business.

He is willing to travel where ever you are. You must include travel and lodging expenses if outside Middle Tennessee. He is worth it! Give Dave a call at 615-603-6393.

Here he is painting what used to be just storage under stairs, and is now turned into a laundry room.