Emperor's Barn

An abandoned barn and shepherds hut at Valle del Tietar. This valley is where came to die Carlos I of Spain and V of Germany, the Spanish Emperor who had under his control a big part of Europe, North, Central and South America, Papúa and Philippines, and a small part of Africa. In the mid of XVI century, the Emperor asked his experts and advisors what place within his vast empire was 'the best' in terms of weather and environment, and after some discussions the experts concluded that it was the Valle del Tietar, at the southern foothills of Sierra de Gredos, a chain of mountains in the center-west of Spain. The valley has a perfect clime. It is bright and dry, but not too dry. And surprinsingly has lots of water coming from the sierra. But is not too wet. In summer it is not too warm, and in winter is not too cold. A kind of mediterranean - continental paradise. So the Emperor decided that this was 'the' place for spending the last years of his life. He died at Yuste, very close to where this photo was taken. (File#: 2014-11-09 16.55.12_DxO).
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