Spain – Culture
CULTURAL SITES AND KEY VENUES
The beauty of Spain is in its diversity. We can find things as diverse as an Andalusian set of palaces, a modernist temple, one of the largest art galleries in Europe, or a world heritage festival in which fire is the protagonist:
Alhambra and Generalife in Granada
The Palatine City is home to six palaces and two tower palaces, of which only the Comares and Lions Palaces remain. It is currently the only Palatine City of the Islamic period which has been preserved thanks to its continuous use over time. The Generalife, built between the 12th and 14th centuries, was the palace used by the Islamic Monarchs as a resting area.
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
The Sagrada Familia is a one-of-a-kind temple, for its origins, foundation and purpose. Fruit of the work of genius architect Antoni Gaudí, the greatest exponent of Catalan modernism, the project was promoted by the people for the people. Today, more than 135 years after the laying of the cornerstone, construction continues on the Basilica.
Prado Museum in Madrid
The Prado Museum, with more of 200 years of history, is the crown jewel of one of the city’s most popular tourist itineraries: the Paseo del Arte, where you’ll also find the Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums. The Prado’s walls are lined with masterpieces from the Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools, including works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Tiziano, Rubens, Rafael and Hieronymus Bosch. Its collection comprises 8,600 paintings and over 700 sculptures.
Fallas of Valencia
This festival declared Heritage of Humanity overturns Valencia from the 1st to 19th March. A festivity that combines tradition, satire and art. The Fallas week is filled with thousands of things to do: traditional (and not so traditional) music, tonnes of gunpowder, emotive religious acts, paellas in the street… An of course the cremà night when the monuments that have been adorning the streets are set on fire.
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