Spain exhibits some of the most wondrous sights in the world and it has the second largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The list goes from cave art, natural areas and gardens to historic monuments. Where does one start to list all of the places to visit ? Cathedrals, monasteries, castles, palaces. Unbelievably, there are so many glorious things to see and experience! The Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita in Córdoba, the Aqueduct in Segovia, the Sagrada Familia by Gaudi, the Altamira Cave, the Mudejar art. Let’s list the most celebrated sights you should not miss.
Most Notable World Heritage Sites in Spain
The Alhambra
The Alhambra in Granada is one of the most visited attractions in Spain. The breathtaking Alhambra Palace can be found high on the provincial capital of Granada in southern Spain. It was originally built as a small fortress on the site of some old Roman ruins. In the 13th century, Nasrid emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar undertook renovations and rebuilt the fortress into a palace. It became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabell in the 1400’s. So it has a long and illustrious history. When you enter the Alhambra Palace you will be awed by the beauty of the architecture and the grounds . Past the entrance you are greeted by an impressive open-air foyer surrounded by a multitude of pillars. From here you can visit three different palaces.
Plaza de América
Plaza de América in Seville is part of the artistic complex which was created in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exhibition. This plaza is surrounded by three palaces of different architectural styles that were created for the Exposition of 1929. The first is the royal pavilion in the Gothic style . The second place to visit, the Hotel houses the Museum of Popular Arts. The last building is the Carambolo, a neo-Renaissance Archaeological Museum where you will find the gold treasure discovered at Camas in 1958. The treasure consists of gold bracelets, gold chain and pendant, buckles, and other assorted gold pieces. It also includes a figurine of Astarte, who ws a Phoenician goddess.
Córdoba
Córdoba is located in the heart of Andalusia. It is a combination of past and present. The World Heritage Site is a living legacy of a variety of cultures. Not many places in the world can boast about being the capital of the province of Hispania, of the Roman Empire and of the Omaijadenkalifats. A stroll along the old city of Cordoba is a good way to discover the beautiful maze of narrow streets, squares and the courtyards that are whitewashed .
Merida
Merida was established by the Romans in 25 B.C. and it retains an extensive collection of Roman ruins and has a fabulous museum devoted to Roman history. After the Roman period Merida was controlled by the Muslims from 713 A.D. . After a 500 year period of decline, the city was virtually abandoned until the the sixteenth century . Merida features some of the best preserved Roman ruins in Europe and the Moorish influence adds a grace of its own to the town .
Salamanca
Salamanca is in the center of Spain. Universal, great, wise, dynamic and gold – a visit to this city in the center of the Iberian Peninsula is worth visiting for many causes . The historical center was stated a UNESCO World Heritage. Salamanca is also a university city as its university was the first in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe.
Santiago de Compostela
Get to know Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia. A city that is visited annually by millions of tourists was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year thousands of pilgrims arrive to gain adventure and spirituality. The the cause of the pilgrimage is owing to the fact that it is one of the holy cities of Christianity. But the pilgrimage is not the only cause to come to Santiago.
Toledo
Toledo is known as the “City of Three Cultures” as many cultures lived together for centuries like Christians, Muslims and Jews. Behind its walls an artistic and cultural heritage of churches, palaces, forts, mosques and synagogues were preserved. This great mixture of styles makes the old capital of La Mancha an open-air museum.
Before you decide to pay a visit to Spain do not forget to book right accommodation in Spain. There are a lot of opportunities to choose from from five star hotels to private holiday homes .
Leave a Reply