Immerse yourself in the world of flamenco, Picasso and gazpacho! Spain is a country of great energy, exciting cities, terrific food and unique charm.
An inspirational melding of Christian and Moorish cultures, Spain is known for the architectural gems rising from its dusty central plains and the narrow medieval streets in cities like Barcelona. But it is equally revered for the astonishing number of modern artists who owe their allegiance-or at least their inspiration-to this nation made up of so many independent and proud cultures.
How does all this translate for you? It means that you’ll have as much fun exploring the country’s dark and turbulent history as you will reveling in its more modern delights, from the art exhibits at Madrid’s Reina Sofia Museum to its hottest new disco.
Barcelona is one of the most dynamic and stylish cities in the world. The major shopping street, Calle Serrano, is lined with elegant shops that rival Fifth Avenue in New York. Summer is party time, with weeklong fiesta fun. In spring and early summer, the weather is pleasant, there aren't too many tourists and the city is humming. High summer (mid-July to late August) is quite hot. In September the city recovers its normal rhythms, the heat eases but the weather can be unpredictable. October is the rainiest month and the winter months are fairly mild.
Founded in 1300, Bilbao is Spain's largest port city. With the 1997 addition of the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao is now an arts mecca and one of Spain's liveliest cities. The city has an abundance of accommodations surrounded by beautiful green countryside. It is also a great place to begin exploration of the colorful and distinct Basque region of northern Spain.
It is said that Cadiz was once part of the fabled kingdom of Tharsis, a land rich in gold and silver mentioned in the scriptures and the writings of Greek historians. Cadiz is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe. Three thousand years ago Phoenician merchants established a trading colony on what was then an island. There is a textured, crusty quality to Cadiz.
It has to do with the fact that the city is almost entirely surrounded by water, limiting its expansion, so that much of its layout has an unchanging character. Wherever you are in Cadiz, the sea is never far away. There is a special clarity to the air, and an ever-present scent of sea-salt to remind you that the city's fate and fortunes have always been linked to the sea. It also has the effect of opening one's appetite in anticipation of some of the seafood dishes that Cadiz chefs are so proficient at preparing, to be eaten and accompanied with Sherry wines from neighboring Jerez.
In the 10th century, Cordoba was proclaimed the capital of the Islamic world in the West. To fully grasp the glory of Moorish Spain, the land they called Al-Andalus, one has to travel up the Guadalquivir River to what was once the capital of the most powerful kingdom of Islam. In its heyday, Cordoba was a city of more than half a million people, with hundreds of mosques, a medina that pulsated with the activity of the finest craftsmen, a centre of science and learning, the most civilized capital in Europe. Its crowning jewel was the Great Mosque.
Part of it was destroyed to make way for a cathedral, built in its centre, but you can still recapture the spirit of Al-Andalus as you wander through its forest of hundreds of delicate marble columns and double-tiered arches. Leaving the Mosque, today's Cordoba greets the traveler with all the charm of a tolerant and congenial Andalusian city. Taverns beckon with offerings of tasty tapas and fine wines, plazas and patios are alive with flowering roses, geraniums and carnations, the strains of flamenco waft from balconies and windows, beautiful examples of fine filigree jewelry, intricate leatherwork and other handcrafted goods tempt the traveler.
Girona rises on a spot overlooking the Onyar river. Girona's strategic location would earn the nickname of "city of the thousand sieges." Ancient walls that still surround parts of the city testify to the history that was made here. One can enjoy the modern parts of Girona, then cross the river to the Baroque cathedral where time has been encapsulated.
One can wander through the oldest parts of Girona and recapture the aura of a medieval city. Girona's recovery of its Jewish quarter, the Call, has brought back to life an important part of Girona's heritage, a warren of alleyways and courtyards that until recently lay concealed under a patina of more modern construction. It is one of the best preserved testimonies of the Middle Ages in Spain.
The search for Moorish treasure leads to Granada, capital of Spain's last Moorish kingdom. It was the meeting point of Islamic and Christian cultures. Few experiences can surpass the view from the Albaycin quarter across to the Alhambra at sunset, the towers of its palace-fortress glowing red against the backdrop of a snow-capped Sierra Nevada.
Everything you have heard about the Alhambra and the adjoining Generalife gardens is true, and those with the luck and foresight tohave reseved a room at the Parador withing its grounds will enjoy the experience all the more. The university town of Granada hums with life. For a taste of Andalusian history after the Moors' departure, a visit to Ubeda and its twin, Baeza, across the mountains north of Granada, will submerse you in two towns of Renaissance splendor.
For a different experience, take a ferry from Valencia, Barcelona, or Majorca to the Balearic island of Ibiza. Ibiza has fine beaches, constant sunshine, good food and a wild nightlife. Beachside discos, clubs and bars ensure the place never stops buzzing.
In Spain's liveliest city, the partying lasts long into the night. The weather is generally agreeable and the city has a fresh feel, perfect conditions to explore the city's massive palaces or to enjoy a great cup of coffee in the even more expansive plazas around which the houses sit. In addition to the other fantastic art collections in Madrid, Guernica, Pablo Picasso's massive allegory of modern war, is at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, as are works by artists from Dalí to Miro.
Malaga may have been founded by the Phoenicians. It flourished in the Muslim era in the 11th century and then the Emirate of Granada. It fell to the Christians in 1487. Malaga fell to the Nationalists in February 1937. Malaga has recovered with the onset of tourism in the 1960's. For a dramatic setting, few towns can rival Ronda, one of Spain's most spectacularly located cities.
Built at the edge of a dizzy gorge Ronda, the quintessential mountain city, is one face of Malaga province. The other, of course, is Malaga's Costa del Sol, one of Europe's most cosmopolitan leisure areas. Somehow, its capital, the city of Malaga, seems to remain untouched by the internationalism of its neighboring resorts, and is as Spanish a city as you're likely to find. Malaga has always had an unlimited capacity to absorb those who arrived from other shores to settle here, be they Phoenician traders or 19th century English merchants.
Sevilla is one of the most beloved places by visitors to Spain. When you visit this city, you are in the very heart of Andalusian culture, the center of bullfighting and flamenco music. It's southern location means that North African influences are especially strong here, evidenced in the exotically beautiful Moorish architecture in the older parts of the city.
In the days of battles and sieges, there was every reason to choose an inaccessible site for a city. Toledo towers on top of a hill protected by a bend in the Tagus river to form a natural fortress, complete with moat. No wonder El Greco, that painter of the elongated, was attracted to this vertical city. Once fought over by armies, Toledo was to become a symbol of tolerance as the 13th century capital of King Alfonso the Wise, a centre of scholarship that attracted Moorish, Jewish and Christian men of learning.
Its two surviving synagogues-El Transito and Santa Maria la Blanca-remind visitors that this was once home to one of Spain's largest Jewish communities. Toledo's name is also associated with the steel swords once made here, and still offered as tourist souvenirs, though travelers might be more attracted to a meal of Toledo-style partridge-this is hunting territory-or a taste of the local marzipan.
Located on the Mediterranean Sea with beaches right in the heart of the city, Valencia is where "El Cid," Spain's national hero, fought against the Moors, and popular festivals in the city and many villages are reminders of that era. Home to paella and the Holy Grail, it is also blessed with great weather and the spring festival of Las Fallas, one of the wildest parties in the country. One of Valencia's best attractions is the baroque Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas. The Museo de Bellas Artes also ranks among the best museums in the country, containing works by artists such as El Greco, Goya and Velazquez.
Throughout history, foreign cultures have occupied Spain because of its prime location on the Iberian Peninsula between Europe and Africa. In the 3rd century BC Romans invaded the peninsula and for several centuries Roman laws, languages and customs were adopted. Roman Hispania was invaded in 409 AD by a massive army of Germanic tribes, and by 419 a Visigoth kingdom had been established.
The Visigoths ruled until 711, when Moors crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and defeated the last Goth king. By 714, Moors occupied the entire Iberian Peninsula except the mountainous regions of northern Spain. During the centuries of Moorish occupation, arts and sciences flourished, new crops and agricultural methods were introduced, and palaces, mosques, schools, gardens and public baths were built. Near the end of the 13th century, the Christian kingdoms of Castilla and Aragón were joined by marriage and were able to unite all of Spain, removing the Moors from power.
Following Columbus' arrival in the Americas at the end of the fifteenth century, Spain’s power and influence increased both at home and in the New World. As Spanish conquistadors claimed lands from Cuba to Bolivia, large quantities of gold and silver from Mexico and Peru helped Spain to monopolize trade with their new colonies, thus making Spain one of the most powerful nations on earth.
When Napoleon's troops entered Spain in 1808, the Spanish crown began to lose control over its colonies. French forces were finally expelled from Spain and Fernando VII was restored to the throne, but during his oppressive reign Spain entered a severe economic recession and the American colonies won their independence.
The end of the Spanish Empire came when Spain lost her last overseas possessions (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines) at the end of the Spanish-American War. In the early twentieth century Miguel Primo de Rivera declared himself military dictator and ruled until 1930. Strong political factions of communists, socialists and anarchists, monarchists and fascists divided Spain, each fighting for power.
In 1936 the army overthrew the government and subsequently a Spanish Civil War (1936-39) attracted support from Nazi Germany and Italy, while the elected government received support from Russia. Despite the threat of fascism, England and France refused to support the Republican elected government. By 1939, Franco’s Nationalist political party had won the war. Under Franco's dictatorship, Spain became isolated from the international community and suffered from economic recession.
The country began to recover in the early 1950's, when a treaty with the USA and an increase in tourism helped the economy to recover. By the 1970's, Spain had the fastest growing economy in Europe and was converted from a dictatorship to a democracy. Spain joined the European Union in 1986 and in 1992 hosted the Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Almost every town in Spain has its own festival or fiesta. The best festivals are concentrated between the week leading up to Easter Sunday (Semana Santa) and from September to October. La Tamburrada takes place during February in San Sebastian; Valencia celebrates Las Fallas de San Jose in March, when the city throws an enormous party with excellent fireworks; Madrid has its San Isidro festival in May. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Cadiz and Sitges are the best places to go for the first festival of spring, "carnival," although it is celebrated throughout the country.
Spain's national pastime is bullfighting. It is a ritual spectacle that is considered both an art and a sport. The art of bullfighting requires skill and athleticism, resulting in matadors who become national celebrities.
Flamenco is a southern Spanish dance. It exists in three forms: cante, the song, baile, the dance, and guitarra, guitar playing. You will see the finest flamenco dancing and guitar playing in Andalusia.
The Kingdom of Spain is the larger of the two countries that make up the Iberian Peninsula (the other is Portugal) located in southwestern Europe. To the west (and, in Galicia, south), it borders Portugal. Northeastern Spain shares a border with France and Andorra, with the Pyrenees mountains acting as a natural divider. In the east along the Mediterranean Sea from the Pyrenees to Gibraltar there is a long beautiful coastline. To the south, Spain borders Gibraltar and Morocco. The Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands in Atlantic Ocean and Ceuta and Melilla in northern Africa, are also Spanish territories.
Spain can be enjoyable any time of year. The best months to visit are May, June and September. Southern Spain is also nice in April and October. During these months you can rely on good-to-excellent weather, yet avoid the heat of July and August. Winter along the southern and southeastern Mediterranean coasts is mild, while in the height of summer you will find ideal temperatures along the northwestern beaches or in the mountains.
The architecture of Spain reflects the many civilizations that have occupied the land over the centuries. Throughout Spain you will see remains of Roman architecture, but the most well-known examples are the great aqueduct of Segovia and the amphitheater of Mérida. You will also notice stunning Moorish architecture such as the Great Mosque of Cordoba, and the perfectly preserved Alhambra in Granada. After Spain was taken back from the Moors, Moorish architects who stayed in Spain developed an architectural style combining their traditional architecture with Romanesque and Gothic elements, called the Mudejar style.
While most of Spain was occupied by the Moors, there existed Visigoth kingdoms in the north. There you can find important remains of Visigoth and Romanesque styles. In the 12th and 13th centuries the Gothic cathedrals at Burgos, Toledo and Leon were built. An example of Spanish Renaissance architecture, or Plateresque style, can be seen in the University of Salamanca. Baroque style can be observed in the El Escorial Monastery near Madrid. Spanish Modernism can be seen in the works of Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona.
The work of Spain's most famous artists-Dali, Goya, El Greco, Miro, Picasso and Velazquez-can be seen in excellent museums throughout the country. Some of the finest museums are the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the Prado and the Reina Sophia in Madrid, and El Greco's home in Toledo.
The food of Spain is exciting and varied. Fresh seafood is one of the country's specialties. Madrid, an inland city, boasts some of the best seafood restaurants in Europe. In southern Spain, try the calamari. A specialty in eastern Spain is suquet, a tomato stew of fish, shellfish, potatoes and wine, spiced with saffron. The Basque region in northern Spain is growing in popularity with food critics. Basque food is colorful, light, and very simple but elegant.
Typical of all Mediterranean cuisine, you will notice liberal use of olive oil, garlic, onions, tomatoes and peppers. Spices such as saffron and cumin, honeyed sweets and pastries and the use of fruits and almonds in savory dishes are examples of Arabic influence on Spanish cooking. Gazpacho and paella are two well-recognized dishes of Spain; gazpacho is a cold, thick soup made with tomatoes, peppers, onions and garlic, breadcrumbs, lemon and oil; paella is a colorful rice-based dish with seafood, pork, rabbit or chicken and seasoned with saffron. Another famous Spanish item is jamon Serrano-a country ham that is a national treasure.
Tapas can be found in even the smallest bar in a tiny village. The word tapa, meaning cover or lid, is thought to have originally referred to the complimentary plate of appetizers that many tascas would put like a lid on one's wine glass. Tapas can vary from simple to complex and include cheese, fish, eggs, vegetable dishes, dips, canapés, and savory pastries.
* Gratuities are often added to hotel and restaurant bills, but people usually leave something extra (around 10%) for the waiter or porter who assists them.
* Though it is being observed less and less, the tradition of siesta still exists, so many stores will close for a few hours in the afternoon.
* Nightlife in Spain does not begin until quite late, so don't be surprised if the bar or club you heard about is just opening its doors between 10 and 11.
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