Santiago de Compostela
This picturesque town located in Galicia, Spain, is actually named after Saint James, also known as Santiago. The town cathedral is the ending spot for the medieval pilgrimage of St. James, known in the local dialect as the Camiño de Santiago. Santiago de Compostela is a World Heritage Site as designated by UNESCO, and continues to draw tourists and students to the beautiful buildings, historical sites as well as the famous University located within the city.
The Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela is considered to be one of the most influential and well preserved representations of medieval and Romanesque styles of architecture found in all of Spain. The building dates back to its first development in 1075 and the progressive adding on to the original construction provides an interesting view of how buildings changed throughout history. Besides the Cathedral there are also a variety of museums and palaces to tour and explore. Each year pilgrims dress in the traditional clothing of the saints and travel the long path to Santiago de Compostela, most holding a traditional staff topped with a clam or scallop shell. This provides tourists with a historical perspective on the ancient buildings and structures found throughout the area. (more…)
January 21, 2008
Barcelona
Barcelona Spain is often referred to as the City of Marvels due to the outstanding number of breathtaking and historical sites to see and activities to participate in. Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia and is the second largest city in Spain - and definitely one of the major tourism areas for the country. Located on the warm Mediterranean coast, Barcelona has year-round attractions for visitors from all over the world. There is a wide range of both outdoor as well as sightseeing options for travelers and visitors, and the nightlife and social events in the city are second to none in Europe.
Originally built by the Romans, Barcelona is a mixture of ancient and modern architecture and development. Even through it is a business center for Spain and is one of the most important port cities in the area, cultural events are still considered to be equally important to the local economy. Emphasis is placed on the preservation of history without stopping modernization of the city. (more…)
December 28, 2007
Segovia
If you were to picture a medieval Spanish town in your mind, you most likely would be thinking about a city that looks almost like modern day Segovia. Located in the mountainous area just over 50 miles from Madrid and close to the Spanish ski resort of Navacerrada, Segovia is a like a historic town with all the amenities of a modern city.
Overlooking Segovia is the Alcázar castle, originally built and used as a fortress by the Romans. The Alcázar has also been a royal palace and has been used in the filming of many movies and television productions, too. The style of the castle is one of the strong influences on the fanciful Walt Disney castles, with its spiraling towers and beautiful design. Another ancient Roman structure is the aqueduct, over 2000 years old, that cuts through the center of Segovia. This immense and still standing aqueduct, with its double row of arches, is one of the symbols used to identify the city throughout history.
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November 27, 2007
Madrid
Madrid is one of the liveliest cities in the world – it’s alive all through the day, but it seems to become even livelier after midnight.
But partying is only one reason to visit Madrid. Many people come for the cultural delights on offer. Madrid has one of the finest museums in the world, on a par with the Louvre, the National Gallery and others: the Museo del Prado. In fact, the Prado Museum has just been refurbished and an extension has been added, so that even more top-class paintings can now be viewed.
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October 5, 2007
Spain Cities
One of the greatest attractions of a visit to Spain is the chance to visit some of its fantastic cities. From the large cosmopolitan cities of Madrid and Barcelona, to the smaller, traditional cities, such as Santiago de Compostela or Jerez, there’s something for everybody.
Cities for All Tastes
The first names that come to mind when thinking of cities in Spain (after Madrid and Barcelona) are those of Seville, Cordoba or Granada, in Andalusia. These are cities full of wonderful sights to visit and steeped in their own charm and traditions. But even in Andalusia there are other hidden gems of cities, like Jerez, the home of sherry, or Sanlucar de Barrameda, on the Cadiz coast.
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