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Population & Culture
With such a rich variety of different peoples and cultures having settled here over the years, it’s no surprise that Spain’s culture is extraordinarily rich and varied. Visitors can take in all of the beauty and charm of these civilizations in the country’s many historical sites and prestigious museums.
The country’s two most visited monuments are in the South. The great Mosque of Cordoba, built between the 8th and 10th centuries, is the world’s second largest mosque, after Mecca. It is known for its forest of columns, an immense prayer room whose ceiling is supported by 854 pillars. The Mihrab dome (where seats the imam) is carved from a single bloc of marble and delicately chiseled. It stands as a masterpiece of Moorish art in Europe. In Grenada you’ll find what is often considered the most beautiful Islamic monument in all of Europe: the Alhambra. On its own, this acropolis of fortified gardens and palaces in the upper city summarizes three hundred years of Andalusian history, from the Nasrites all the way to Charles Quint. The Casas Reales, Lion Palace, and Alcabaza each display majestic and refined beauty that impresses all who are lucky enough to feast their eyes on them.
In the North, visitors discover monuments that date back to the Wisigoth and Maure occupations, particularly along the Way of St. James. Later on, the Baroque movement coincided with Spain’s ascent to power and left a heritage divided between two diametrically opposed styles: on the one hand, close to Madrid, we have the monastery of El Escorial and its austere character. On the other hand, there’s the rich ornamentation of the Churriguera, as manifested in Santiago de Compostela cathedral. This exuberant style was subsequently exported to Latin America during Spanish colonial times. World-famous Prado Museum and Madrid’s Reina Sofia National art museum both showcase works by great Spanish and International artists, such as Goya, Vélasquez, Dürer, Tintoretto, Titian, Murillo, and el Greco. Close to the Prado, the Thyssen Museum’s large private collection exhibits works from the 18th and 19th century. As for Barcelona, it is often associated with Miro and Picasso, who each have their own museum in this city. There’s also a contemporary art museum showcasing works by Gaudi, Spain’s most famous architect, whose designs can be seen everywhere across the city. From Park Guell to the incredible Sagrada Familia (whose construction has yet to be completed), by way of Casa Battlò and Milà in Eixample, Gaudi left his signature quasi-organic architecture everywhere, leaving behind all established dogma and replacing it with original and surreal creations. There’s plenty of other interesting places to visit in Barcelona, including the ancient 14th century shipyards, now converted into the Naval Museum, two modern art museums, and many interesting neighborhoods, such as Barri Gotic, and Montjuic, a hill that offers great views of the entire city. In Bilbao, the architect Frank Gehry’s Guggenheaim museum delights visitors with its surprising blend of classical art and contemporary and avant-garde works.
Of course, there’s much more to Spanish culture than visual arts. In this land of music and dance, Iberian souls light up at the sound of flamenco and castanets during improvised celebrations, or any other occasion to celebrate life. San Sebastian’s Jazzaldia, Cordoba’s guitar festival in July, and Benicassim International Festival in August are all great occasions to get a taste of the country’s festive ambiance. Countless carnivals, religious celebrations, and ferias make sure that the party goes on all year long.
Those looking for fine eating won’t be disappointed with this country’s incredible variety of rich and colorful dishes. Fresh or spicy, rich or delicate, Spanish cuisine has everything you need to light up your taste buds, with national treasures like paella, tortillas, Serrano ham, and plenty of regional delicatessen. Adding heaps of seasonings, herbs, and condiments to these dishes confers unique flavors that never fail to delight the palate. Nevertheless, nothing quite compares to sampling an assortment of tapas, probably the world’s most famous finger food, accompanied with a refreshing pitcher of cold sangria.
