Historical places in Spain you must visit
Spain is a Mediterranean country where multicultural history and tradition are creating a special merry spirit of the people and their vitality is transferred onto the streets, in restaurants, bars…
It belongs to one of the most visited touristic countries during the year, offering much more than its endless beaches and the southern sun. Its touristic attractions stretch not only along the coast but also inside the country. You will hear sad guitar chords and temperamental flamenco at every step. This is a country of great heroes and artists who had left an indelible mark on European culture, with a rich and varied history, a country of diverse regions and proud and very hospitable people. If you decide to travel to Spain, we suggest some historical places that are worth visiting.
Madrid
The capital and largest city of Spain, Madrid is the center of many universities and it is the home to various ethnic groups. Prado Museum is one of the most impressive European museums, and it was built to keep safe the artwork of the former royal family of Habsburg. This huge exhibition, which is never withdrawn, contains more than 5,000 paintings, including El Greco, Goya and Velázquez works as well as a great setting of Flemish art, which includes Rubens, van Dyck and Dürer works.
Plaza Major is the geographical and cultural center of Madrid, and if you go to Spain you should visit it. It was built in the 17th century during the reign of Philip III, this huge, cobbled square for centuries was significant in the cultural and commercial sense. There were held coronation, bullfightings and canonizations, the terrifying public executions and the burning of heretics during the Spanish Inquisition.
The Spanish Royal Palace was built entirely of stone and it is filled with artwork, tapestries and furniture from different periods of the rich Spanish history and features of Goya, Velázquez and Bosch arts.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of the Autonomous Province of Catalonia and the province of Barcelona in northeastern Spain, which is rich in cultural and historical sights. One of the busiest places of Barcelona is Las Ramblas promenade, which ends with the Gate of Peace square, where sits the statue of Christopher Columbus.
The most famous art of architect Antoni Gaudi is also the most visited architectural building in Spain, La Sagrada Familia cathedral, which remained unfinished after his death and is still being built.
In addition to modernism in Barcelona, there are works from the medieval period, especially from the Gothics, which are present in the old town. The entire Gothic Quarter is named after this period.
There are also the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, the basilica Santa Maria del Mar and the church of Santa Maria del Pi.
Granada
The famous old Moorish city of Granada is today’s capital of the province and university town. It is known for its historical buildings from the time of the Moors.
The most significant finding is the Alhambra, which was built in the 13th and 14th century as the residence of Moorish kings. Alhambra is also under the protection of UNESCO and today serves as a museum of Islamic architecture.
Crowned by Alhambra palace, Granada has been declared as a national monument by its numerous, well-preserved remains of rich culture and art and as a place of major events in the history of Spain.
Granada is the touristic and cultural center of Spain. There are numerous other significant architectural sites such as the Lion well, Bermehas tower and The Cube, the city district Albaycin, and there is the cathedral from the Renaissance in the very center. Due to possible Internet issues in Granada, it is recommendable to install a VPN and enable secure access to Internet.
Seville
Seville has a romantic past with a rich Moorish heritage. It is the capital of Andalusia, and it is the home to many beautiful and important historical monuments, and the main is the (there is a belief that Columbus was buried there) and it is the largest Gothic building in the world.
Alcazar is also significant, an extravagant Moorish palace with lush gardens and a room where Columbus planned his trip to the New World.
You must also see the parks of Mary Louise, Spain Square, Santa Cruz neighborhood, the Royal Chapel and the altar.
Valencia
It was founded by the Romans 137 BC and was looted, burned and besieged several times by various invaders. But lively Valencia sailed into the second millennium as a sophisticated European and modern touristic city.
It is one of the largest and most important cities in Spain and is located in the eastern part of the country, in the province of Valencia. A large number of historic buildings, such as churches, old monasteries like San Miguel de los Reyes, and there is also a famous silk market.
The cultural and entertainment complex known as the “city of art and science” may be found in the city. It contains several buildings such as the Science Museum, a planetarium, an aquarium, and a museum of art and cinema.
Toledo
It is the capital of the province of Toledo and of the autonomous region of Castilla-La Mancha. With its unique position, vibrant urban landscape and its magnificent old buildings, Toledo is one of the largest touristic cities of Spain. Toledo is the goal of any visitor interested in art and history.
It has been known for its sword-blades and their gold and silver artwork, and it’s crafting skills brought by the Moors. It was once the capital of the Spanish Empire, and Visigoth kingdoms and a place where Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures coexisted.
Many famous people and artists were born or lived in Toledo, including Lope de Vega, Alfonso X and El Greco. It contains a number of historical sites such as Alcazar, Sokodover Cathedral, Central Market etc.
Figueres
This is the Costa Brava coastal region famous for Salvador Dali museum. The city is also the birthplace of Dali.
The biggest reason why Figueres is visited is because of the famous Dali museum. It is the second most visited museum in Spain immediately after the Prado Museum in Madrid. Everything reminds of Salvador Dali in Figueres. There are his works on the square in front of the museum. But besides the museum, Figueres can be a pleasant place to spend a night or two.
There is also a Museum of Naive Art and Museum of toys.
