Then we visited Dublin Castle. Actually, what you see today is an 18th century palace, built on the remains of the 13th century Norman castle. It's currently a government building, used, from what we were told, basically for protocolar and ceremonial occasions.
Entrando. Atrás nuestro, la Record Tower, la única que sobrevivió del castillo medieval. Y lo que se ve a la izquierda es la capillar real.
Going in. In the background, the Record Tower, the only one remaining from the Medieval castle. And what you see to the left is the Chapel Royal.
En el foyer, esperando que empezara el tour. No se puede visitar el castillo por cuenta propia, hay que tomar un tour. Lamentablemente la guía que nos tocó dejaba mucho que desear... no sé si sería muy nueva, o qué, pero estaba claramente muy nerviosa. Tartamudeaba, hablaba demasiado bajo y rápido, iba casi corriendo de un lugar a otro... una lástima, porque los State Apartments, especialmente, eran hermosos.
In the foyer, waiting for the tour to start. You can't visit the castle on your own, you have to take a tour. Unfortunately, the guide we got was pretty bad... I don't know if she was very new or what, but she was clearly very nervous. She kept stuttering, she'd speak too quietly and too fast, she practically ran from one room to the other... a shame, because the State Aparments were amazing.
Apenas subiendo la escalera principal, en el Battleaxe Landing.
After climbing the main stairs, you get to the Battleaxe Landing.
Uno de los dormitorios.
One of the bedrooms.
El Corredor de Estado.
The State Corridor.
La sala, a donde se retiraban las damas después de las cenas, dejando a sus maridos en la mesa, en teoría para que pudieran tener sus conversaciones "importantes", sin que hubiera mujeres molestando.
The Drawing Room, where the ladies would retire to after dinner, leaving their husbands at the table. In theory, that was so that they could have their "important" conversations without any women there bothering them.
El salón del Trono, el que se puede ver a la izquierda. Fue construido para la visita de George IV en 1821 (considerando el tamaño, el hombre debía estar bastante gordito). En ocasión de la visita de la Reina Victoria, le tuvieron que serruchar un poco las patas(al trono, no a la reina), porque ella era muy bajita. Noten el espejo a la derecha, en forma de corona.
In the Throne Room. You can see it to the left, and it was built for the visit of George IV to Ireland, in 1821 (he must have been a big man, considering the size). When Queen Victoria visited, the legs had to be shortened, as she was so short herself. Notice the mirror in the shape of a crown to the right.
El Comedor de Estado, también llamado la Galería de Pinturas.
The State Dining Room, also known as the Picture Gallery.
Esta no se ve muy bien, pero es el Hall de St. Patrick, donde asumen el poder los presidentes de Irlanda. Originalmente era el salón de baile.
You can't see this one very well, but it's St. Patrick's Hall, where the Presidents of Ireland are inaugurated. It was originally the Ballroom.
Finalmente visitamos unas excavaciones en los cimientos, donde se pueden ver los restos del castillo medieval, y se ve claramente que parte era qué.
We finally visited an excavation of the foundations, where you can see the remains of the Medieval castle and you can clearly see which part was which.
