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…)
Tags: santiago de compostela, spain-cities, tourism santiago de compostela
February 8, 2008
Andalusia
Andalusia, or Andalucía in Spanish, is perhaps the best known of the autonomous communities in Spain and is located in the southern area of the country. The capital city of the autonomous community of Andalusia is Seville, which is the fourth largest city in Spain.
Andalusia is a very large and diverse area, but there are several things that the area is well known for. One of the major attractions to the area is the warm and temperate climate, with the large number of beaches and outdoor areas to explore and travel. Andalusia is also known for its outstanding historical and modern architecture, with many different styles influenced by the different cultures and groups that inhabited this area throughout history. At historical points in time the area now known as Andalusia was controlled by Phoenicians, Tartessians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, and Moors. There is a great deal of influence from the Arabian and Moorish culture, resulting in some beautiful buildings and artwork that are visible and important landmarks in the area today. (more…)
Tags: andalusia, hotel andalusia, regions-of-spain
February 5, 2008
Train Travel in Spain
Travelling by train in Spain can be a rewarding experience but it also requires a bit of planning. The national train company, RENFE, is a large railway system throughout the country. There are high-speed train routes, the AVE, which go, for example, to Madrid from Seville, in 2 1/2 hours, Madrid to Zaragoza in 1 ½ hours, and from Madrid to Toledo in 30 minutes.
You need to have a ticket for your destination, which you get from Billetes which is the name for the ticket window. You need to locate the correct booth for the train you wish to travel on, for example Regionales for Regional trains, Cercanias for local commuter trains and Largo Recorrido for long distance trains. There are train schedules available for these destinations. There are English-speaking information officers nearby if you need assistance. (more…)
February 2, 2008
History of Spain
As a coastal country, Spain has had an interesting and complex history. Many of the existing landmarks and historical buildings found throughout Spain show the history of Roman invaders, Moors, Jewish and Christian settlements as well as the Celts.
The earliest artifacts found in Spain date back to at least 50,000 years B. C. These early settlements are found in the caves of Granada and the area around Cova Negra. It is believed the first settlers arrived from North Africa to inhabit this warm and fertile area. The Celts invaded this highly desirable area around 1200 b.c. The Greeks and Phoenicians moved into the southern Mediterranean areas of Spain around 1100 b.c. These settlements were then again invaded by the Carthaginians, who were in battle with the huge Roman armies. Although the Carthaginians did establish settlements in Spain, especially in the eastern areas, the Romans moved through the whole of the country, securing it as a Roman stronghold. (more…)
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