Unesco object in spain. Historical and cultural features, sights of spain

Spain is known to the whole world as a country famous for the unique sights presented to us thanks to its amazing story, as a result of which, in the architecture of Spanish cities, features of various cultures are combined, ranging from ancient, which came here during the time of the Holy Roman Empire, including - Islamic, left over from the period of Arab rule, ending with European, including Christian and Jewish, since the Middle Ages ... This is why many cities in Spain are protected by UNESCO. They are ready to offer tourists a lot of interesting excursion programs, during which you can appreciate the medieval beauty of Spain, the rarest ancient monuments included in the "List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites". Today we will tell you about eight small but incredibly beautiful Spanish cities-monuments of UNESCO, with their Catholic churches, monasteries, Arab mosques and baths, Roman bridges and aqueducts, old mansions of the nobility and powerful fortress walls.

– oldest settlement country, founded by the ancient Romans in the ninetieth year BC. Today, Segovia is one of the three ancient cities-museums located near the Spanish capital - Madrid. The most recognizable landmarks of this city in Spain are the Aqueduct and the Alcazar.

Or "El Acueducto de Segovia" - absolutely amazing monument architecture, included, along with the historical center of the city, in the UNESCO list. This is the longest antique aqueduct Western Europe, preserved here from Roman times. The length of the structure is eight hundred and eighteen meters, the height is about thirty meters. The aqueduct consists of twenty thousand granite slabs, which are not fastened with cement mortars. It is divided into one hundred and sixty-seven huge arches. The aqueduct was built at the end of the first century AD and regularly performed its functions for many centuries, to this day it has been preserved in excellent condition, continuing until recently, constantly delivering water to the city of Segovia, mainly to the Alcazar castle. This Roman building was named in 1884 - "Monument of National Treasure", and in 1985 it was given the status - "World Heritage Site under the protection of UNESCO."

Or "El Alcazar de Segovia" - another no less amazing and charming city landmark. The Alcazar castle was built in Roman times, but the first written mentions of it are found only in the twelfth century. The Alcazar is located on a cliff between the rivers Eresma and Clamores. The fortress was built in the Roman-Gothic style, and the interiors were designed in the Mudejar style. The castle complex has a couple of courtyards, two towers: "del Homenaje" and "de Juan II". In addition, the Alcazar in Segovia has a lot of underground rooms, secret passages, some of which go to the river, others to other palaces in the city. Even today, scientists continue to study the secrets of the Alcazar Castle. Now it houses the military archive and the Museum of Artillery - "museo del Real Colegio de Artilleria".

- a huge building was erected in the sixteenth century in the Gothic style, with some elements of Renaissance architecture. Temple complex consists of a cathedral, a covered gallery adjacent to it, and a bell tower - one of the highest in Spain.

Of course, in Segovia, tourists will be able to see a lot of other interesting sights: the ruins of the ancient fortress wall, the Monastery of Santa Maria del Parral, the Church of Saint Stephen, Church of Vera Cruz, Church of Saint Millena, "House of Peak", stroll through the local gardens and parks: La Merced Garden , Garden of Alcazar, Garden of Huertos.

- a settlement, high in the mountains, was founded in the fifth century AD by the Veton tribe. Today, this city of Spain is under the protection of UNESCO, and its main attractions are the Avila Cathedral, fortress walls, churches and monasteries.

- the construction of which, which began in the 12th century in the Romanesque style, was completed in the fourteenth - already in the Gothic style. Today it is the oldest Spanish gothic cathedral... He has unusual structure: since it was built as part of the city's defensive structures, and one of the apses of the building is built directly into the fortified city wall. The cathedral was erected in honor of Saint Salvador. Inside the temple is the tombstone of the famous Bishop Alonso de Madrigal. The Cathedral Museum operates at the cathedral, which has a rich collection of exhibits: sculptures, books, silver items, paintings, silver monstrances for processions.

Or "Las Murallas de Avila" - main character the city, the medieval wall that surrounded the old part of the city of Avila, two and a half kilometers long. This ancient fortification is one of the finest examples of Spanish military engineering. The wall, three meters thick and twelve meters high, is equipped with nine city gates, there are eighty-eight towers and two and a half thousand small towers-shelters. This structure is in excellent condition to this day, and it is under the protection of UNESCO.

Or "Convento Santa Teresa" - was built in the seventeenth century, after the canonization of Teresa, on the site of the house where she was born. Today it is a functioning nunnery, and most of it is closed to tourists, but pilgrims have the opportunity to enter the church chapel, decorated with scenes where the saint levitates. In the Hall of Relics there is a part of the relics of Saint Teresa - the finger of her right hand, the sole of her sandal, and a rosary. But the rest of the relics of Saint Teresa are in the Carmelite monastery of Alba de Tormes, it was there that she died.

Or "Basilica de San Vicente" - a Romanesque temple, is the second largest in Avila, second only to the Cathedral. He is a "monument national heritage Spain ". It began to be built in the twelfth century on the burial site of Catholic saints: Deacon Vincent de Huesca, who died in 304, his sister Sabina and sister Cristeta. It is clear why the main relic of this basilica is the “Cenotafio de los santos Vicente, Sabina y Cristeta” - a stunning tombstone built in the twelfth century.

Or “Real Monasterio de Santo Tomas” - was built in 1493, where the main Spanish “Catholic kings” planned to build their own palace, but the death of their son Juan forced them to reconsider their plans, and he was buried there. And later, the "Grand Inquisitor" of Spain, Thomas de Torquemada, was also buried.

- this is an ancient Celtic settlement, at one time, under the rule of the Romans, Moors, Arabs, then became a Spanish city, small, but with a lot of interesting historical sights and medieval monuments of different cultures: the Cathedral, the Moorish watchtower, the Church of San Miguel, with Arabic and Gothic features.

Or "Catedral de Santa María y San Julián de Cuenca" - the main city cathedral, where the diocese of Cuenca, belonging to the Archbishopric of Toledo, is located. This cathedral was built in the 12th century in the Norman Gothic style.

Or "Convento de la Merced" - was built in the period from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. Today it houses the Theological Seminary of St. Julian and the Society of Slaves of Holy Communion and the Immaculate Virgin. In 2003, the monastery received the title of National Monument History and Culture of Spain ".

Or “Palacio Episcopal de Cuenca y Museo Diocesano” - a single building was erected in 1250 from several Muslim houses, here you can still see Arabic inscriptions, a portal with Arabic patterns. From the end of the fifteenth century to 1530, the "Court of the Inquisition" worked here. Today the "Diocesan Cathedral Museum" - "Museo Diocesano Catedralicio" is located, with a huge collection of provincial religious art: tapestries, jewelry, art objects, paintings, sculptures.

Or "Casas Colgadas" - the symbol of the city of Cuenca. "Hanging houses", built over a river cliff, were previously a typical element of the city's architecture, but only three such structures have survived to this day: "House of the Sirena" - "Casa de la Sirena", Royal houses - "Casas de Rey", decorated with wooden balconies. They are located: a restaurant, "Museum of Abstract Art of Spain".
Apart from these interesting places cities you can visit the Church of St. Michael, Church of St. Nicholas, Church of St. Andrew, Tower Mangana, Cuenca Consistory - thanks to their presence, the Spanish city of Cuenca is under the protection of UNESCO.

- located on the island of Tenerife. The city was founded in 1496 and it was the capital Canary Islands, up to 1723. Since its inception, La Laguna has become the religious center of Tenerife, with its episcopal residence and numerous churches and monasteries. V historic center the city has a unique colonial atmosphere; the old quarters and streets, mansions of aristocrats have been preserved here almost unchanged. In 1999, this Spanish city is under the protection of UNESCO.

Or "Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Laguna" - the temple where the bishopric of Tenerife is located, built in 1511 on the site of an old monastery. But the building acquired its modern neoclassical appearance in 1825. His founding father, Alonso Fernandez Lugo, is buried in the cathedral.

Or "Parroquia Matriz de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción" - the very first church on the island of Tenerife, built in the fifteenth century. The building features a mixture of several styles of architecture. It was in this temple that the indigenous local residents of Tenerife, the Guanches, were baptized.

Or "Real Santuario de Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna" - this Catholic Franciscan cathedral began to be built in 1506, and the title - "Royal", the temple received from the Spanish king Alfonso the Twelfth in 1906. Outwardly, this is a very modest church, but it is incredibly popular among believers: pilgrims flock here even from mainland Spain. Inside the temple, on the main altar, stands the miraculous crucifixion Cristo de La Laguna - this is the real symbol of the city of San Cristobal de La Laguna. Thousands of believers come here in September to worship the Holy Cross, an ebony crucifix that Governor de Lugo brought back in 1520, and it is famous for its ability to heal the sick and perform other miracles.

- was founded in the twenty-ninth year of our era, but experienced its heyday under the rule of the Moors. To this day, the city retains the charm of the Middle Ages, striking tourists with a combination of Roman, Islamic, Gothic architecture. The historic center of Caceres with its sights is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main attractions of Caceres are: Cathedral St. Mary's, Main Square, St. Paul's Monastery, Church of St. John the Baptist, Church of St. Matthew, Arch of the Star, Bukhako Tower, Stork Palace.

Or "Concatedral de Santa Maria de Caceres" - the main Christian temple of Caceres. Its construction began in the thirteenth century, but it was not completed until the sixteenth century. The cathedral has a transitional Roman-Gothic style. In 1931, he was included in the "List of Historical cultural heritage Spain ”, in 1957, made the center of the diocese of Coria Caceres.

Or "Iglesia de Santiago" - an old knightly Christian church, built in the thirteenth century and completely rebuilt in the sixteenth century. It has Roman-Gothic features and is located near the fortress wall. The main temple relic is the statue of Jesus Christ by Thomas de la Huerta, as well as a retablo with illustrations of the life of Christ and his saints.

Or "Iglesia de San Mateo" - very significant cult building city, since 1982, included in the "List of Historical and Cultural Heritage of Spain." The church began to be built in the sixteenth century on the site of a mosque, which was erected on the foundation of another, earlier christian temple... The noble inhabitants of Caceres are buried in the chapels. In the Chapel of St. John you can see the painting "Christ de la Ensina", which tells about a miracle that happened in America.

- a settlement in the western part of Spain, which was in the possession of the Romans and Arabs, but conquered by Hannibal. The richest city in the cultural and historical sense of the Spanish region of Castile and Leon, famous for its many attractions. The historical center of the city has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1988.

Or "Plaza Mayor" - in the Baroque style, considered one of the most beautiful in Spain, it was designed in the eighteenth century by architects Alberto and Nicholas Churriguera on the orders of King Philip the Fifth, in gratitude local residents for their support as a contender for the throne during the War of the Spanish Succession. The square is surrounded by amazing buildings, decorated with arcades. It can accommodate twenty thousand people. Previously, bullfights were held on the square, and now there are concerts.

Old cathedral or "La Vieja Catedral de Salamanca" - the cathedral was founded in the twelfth century in the Romanesque style, but was completed in the fourteenth century, already in the Gothic style. In the sixteenth century, there was no longer a place for the numerous students of the University of Salamanca and a new cathedral began to be built nearby. Today, the covered gallery of this cathedral, built in 1526, houses the Cathedral Museum, with a rich collection of paintings. Another very interesting attraction in the building of the cathedral is an old organ dating back to the fourteenth century.

The university or "La Universidad" - a beautiful structure in the "plateresque" style, there is an old university library, which contains one hundred and sixty thousand volumes of literary works. The University of Salamanca acquired its current luxurious appearance in 1534, and since then it has been considered an unsurpassed masterpiece of Spain in this style.

In Salamanca, tourists should visit a lot of other interesting sights: the Jesuit College of Cleresia, the Duenius Monastery, the Church and Monastery of San Esteban, the Monterey Palace, the Salina Palace, the Urusulino Monastery, the Roman Bridge, the Salamanca Cave - the place where the Devil taught.

- the settlement appeared on a consecrated place, a century after the execution of two children, which happened here by order of the emperor Diocletian in 306. And at the time when Madrid was a small village, the city of Alcala de Henares was considered the religious center of Spain. Since ancient times, there have been monasteries, castles, churches, and in 1998 the city was included in the "List of Cities of World Cultural Heritage".

Or "Palacio de Laredo" - the most beautiful landmark of the city, an eclectic building, built at the end of the nineteenth century by the artist, architect, designer Manuel José de Laredo. In his brainchild, he combined elements of several architectural styles: Neo-Gothic, Neo-Mudejar, Neo-Moorish.

The university- the building is real business card city, it was created by the architect Rodrigo Gil. It is possible to get inside the university only as part of excursion group... Today there are twelve humanities faculties in the following specialties: pharmaceuticals, biology, chemistry, history, economics, philosophy, literature, librarianship, Spanish philology, English philology, history, architecture, sports, tourism and so on.

The city is full of attractions: the House-Museum of Cervantes, the Town Hall, the "Gate of Martyrs", the Cathedral of the Holy Children, the Madrede Dios Monastery - and they are protected by UNESCO.

- a famous pilgrimage point located in the north-west of Spain. The city is included in the UNESCO list.

Or "Catedral de Santiago de Compostela" - located in Platerias Square, and is notable for the fact that the relics of the Apostle James are buried here, which made the city the main center of European pilgrimage along the "Way of St. James". Thousands of believers pass along this path today. The grave with the remains of St. James was discovered in the ninth century by Bishop Theodomir. It is located in the main altar of the cathedral's presbytery. And in the chapel "Ark", built in the sixteenth century, the relics of royalty are kept. The museum at the cathedral has a rich collection of Spanish art from the ninth to the nineteenth centuries, including tapestries based on sketches by Rubens and Goya.

Or "Universidad de Santiago de Compostela" - the oldest in Europe, founded in 1495 as the "School of Grammar" by Lope Gomez de Marzoa.

Other monuments and sights of Santiago de Compostela that are no less worth exploring: Cappela Animas, the Rajoy Palace, the Monastery of St. Martin Pinario, also amaze with the beauty of their architecture and interesting history.

We talked about eight stunningly beautiful small Spanish cities that are protected by UNESCO, and are famous throughout the world for their magnificent architecture. And it is no wonder that more than fifty million tourists from different parts of the world come to Spain every year.

Historical and cultural heritage of Spain is rich and varied. The color of this country, its unique beauty inspired Picasso, Goya, Velazquez, Dali.

The influence of various peoples, religions and cultures, the border position between Europe and Africa, the isolation of the Mediterranean and the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean - all this is reflected in the majestic monuments and interesting traditions of Spain. Already in ancient times, Spain was a welcome prey for invaders - from the Phoenicians to the Romans. In the Middle Ages, most of the country was owned by the Arabs who invaded here in the 8th century from North Africa. By the end of the 15th century, Christians had conquered Spain and united it. All generations of rulers have tried to achieve cultural unity, but the cultural traditions of Spain are variegated, as before. And some regions are still proud of their originality and independence.

Almost the whole country is one huge historical open-air museum, surrounded by a ring of beautiful sea shores and resort areas, many of which are considered the best in Europe.

The cultural heritage of Madrid sets it apart from many cities in the world, thanks to an incredible number of artistic, architectural and historical sights.

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the bottom of the main cultural attractions of the city is the Prado Museum, founded by Maria Isabella Braganza, the second wife of Ferdinand VII. In 1819 the museum was housed in the present building as the Royal Museum. The museum building was commissioned by King Charles III in 1785, designed by the architect Juan de Villanueva.

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In other major museums in Madrid, the Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, together with the Prado Museum, they form the so-called "Golden Triangle of Arts". The first contains paintings contemporary art... In particular, the Reina Sofia Museum houses the most famous painting by Pablo Picasso "Guernica", as well as the works of Salvador Dalia by Joan Miró. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum houses paintings from different eras, from the Renaissance to the works of the Impressionists, surrealist-Cubists.

Also of interest is the collection of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, which has 1,300 paintings, including works by Velazquez, Rubens and Goya.

IV. Organizing and conducting shopping tours in Madrid

In accordance with the individual goal of the practice: the organization of shopping tours in Madrid, the main locations for such tours were identified.

Z and shopping in Madrid is best done in summer. At this time, the sales season begins here. Shop windows begin to dazzle with bright inscriptions Rebajas (rebahas) - denoting seasonal discounts. And the excellent weather will accompany you during long walks through the numerous shops of the city.

Shopping in Madrid is concentrated in eight main areas: Salamanca, Arguelles, Fuencarral and Chueca, Gran Via, Ourense and Asca, Preciados and Sol. Each area deserves special attention, it has its own personality and is not at all like the others.

Salamanca is the most fashionable area of ​​Madrid. Salamanca's bright shop windows are full of a variety of prestigious brands. Here are concentrated boutiques of famous fashion houses, shops with exclusive clothing and footwear, antique salons, jewelry stores and elegant restaurants. The main shopping streets are Jorge Juan, Claudio Coelho, Goya, Serrano, Ortega y Gasset and Velazquez. Here you will find the famous boutiques of Armani, Versace, Adolfo Dominiguez, Antonio Pernas and many other famous fashion designers.

The Arguels region will offer you more affordable prices. It is close to the Egyptian Temple of Debod and the green area of ​​Parque del Oeste. In this area, on both sides of Princesa Street, you will find many fashion boutiques. In addition, there is also the Zara building and the huge El Corte Inglés department store. The endless areas of the department store house hundreds of stores of famous European brands. For an affordable price, here you can buy clothes, accessories and footwear of such brands as Springfield, Zara, Mango, Pepe Jeans, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti, and many others.

F Huencarral and Chueca is an area in the center of Madrid. This iconic place today is the cultural and creative center of the modern youth of the capital. Here you can find hundreds of boutiques, brand shops, souvenir shops, restaurants and bars. In this area there is a market created as an alternative to shopping centers (Calle Fuencarral 45. Metro Fuencarral). More than 45 stores offer avant-garde clothing for all tastes. The market constantly hosts unusual performances, film screenings and various performances.

Ourense and Asca is the business center of Madrid. There are many shopping centers and commercial stores around it. Most of the trade is concentrated on Concha Espina Avenue, Ourense Street and Paseo de la Abana Boulevard. In this area, you can find various fashion boutiques and expensive clothing stores on every corner. There is also the largest department store in the city, El Corte Inglés, and two large commercial centers - Fashion Shopping and La Esquina del Bernabeu.

Gran Vía is one of the main arteries of the city. This street can be called the sister of American Broadway. Gran Vía is Spanish for large or wide street. This street is home to stately buildings from the early twentieth century, huge multiplex cinemas and many different shops and stalls. From Plaza de Espana to Callao, rows of luxury shoe shops can be found. Callao is home to rows of fashion boutiques, as well as two large specialized stores - Madrid Rock and the book house La Cassa del Libro. There are many prestigious jewelry stores near Calle Alcala. Shopping in Madrid

P Resiados and Sol is the tourist center of the city and the most visited part of Madrid. In this area, on the Puerta del Sol, you can find the zero mark of all highways in Spain. Even just walking along the crowded streets of Preciados and Sol will be a real pleasure. When shopping in this area, be sure that you will find anything here: clothing and footwear stores, fashion stores and boutiques, souvenirs, fabrics and electrical appliances, jewelry stores, boutiques with wedding dresses and accessories, restaurants, bars, commercial centers, etc. much more.

The World Cultural Heritage Organization (UNESCO) includes in its lists not only specific historical monuments, but also objects of universal significance, which can be carriers of age-old traditions or even a way of life. At the moment, Spain is among the four countries with the largest number of such "traditions". Most of them are concentrated in Andalusia. The ABC edition has selected 10 UNESCO sites in the autonomy, which are universal historical artifacts.

Historic Center of Cordoba

The period of the greatest heyday of Cordoba began in the 8th century. after the Muslim conquest, when about 300 mosques were built, innumerable palaces and public buildings and the city rivaled the splendor of Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad. In the XIII century. under Ferdinand III Saint, the Great Mosque of Cordoba was turned into a cathedral, new defensive structures were erected, and above all the Alcazar de los Reyos Cristianos and Torre Fortaleza de la Calahorra.
Also in the city are the monuments left over from the ancient Romans: a bridge over the Guadalquivir with 16 arches, the remains of a Roman wall, mosaics and columns of the Alcazar gardens. Cordoba was included in the UNESCO list in 1984.

Alhambra, Generalife and Albacin in Granada

Towering over modern Lower town, Alhambra and Albacin, located on two adjacent hills, form the medieval part of Granada. To the east of the fortress and residence of the Alhambra are the magnificent Generalife Gardens, the former country residence of the emirs who ruled this region of Spain in the 13th-14th centuries. The residential area of ​​Albacín is a rich repository of Moorish vernacular architecture, with which the traditional architecture of Andalusia is harmoniously combined.
It is the most visited monument in Spain, with 2.5 million tourists in 2015. These sites were included in the UNESCO list in 1984.

Cathedral, Alcazar and "Archive of the Indies" in Seville

Together, these three buildings make up a remarkable group of monuments located in the heart of Seville. The Cathedral and the Alcazar belong to the period from the reconquest of 1248 to the 16th century. and reflect the influence of the Moorish style, being an important testament to both the civilization of the Almohads and Christian Andalusia. The Giralda Minaret is a masterpiece of Almohad architecture. It stands next to the five-nave cathedral, which is the largest Gothic building in Europe. Here is the sarcophagus of Christopher Columbus. Ancient Lonja (stock exchange) became the "Archive of the Indies" containing valuable documents from all the archives of the Spanish colonies in America.
The sites were included in the UNESCO list in 1987.

Doñana National Park

Doñana National Park in Andalusia occupies the right bank of the estuary of the Guadalquivir River near its confluence with Atlantic Ocean... This area is famous for the variety of its landscapes, among which are lagoons, swamps, mobile and fixed dunes, shrubs and forests, maquis. Representatives of five rare and endangered bird species live here, one of the largest heron colonies in the Mediterranean has settled, and over 500 thousand water birds fly here for the winter. Year of inclusion in the UNESCO list - 1994th.

Rock painting in the Mediterranean part of the Iberian Peninsula

In the Mediterranean part of the Iberian Peninsula, a very large number of rock art objects are concentrated, which date back to the late prehistoric period. The paintings, the style and content of which are recognized as unique, clearly and convincingly reflect the way of life of a person of that transitional era. These artifacts were listed by UNESCO in 1998.

Monumental ensembles of the Renaissance in the towns of Ubeda and Baeza

The urban morphology of two small towns - Ubeda and Baeza, located in southern Spain, developed during the time of the Moors in the 9th century. and reconquest in the XIII century. The cities developed actively in the 16th century. - then they were updated in accordance with the style of the Renaissance. These innovations were due to the arrival of new humanistic ideals from Italy to Spain, which later provided big influence on architecture Latin America... The sites were included in the UNESCO list in 2003.

Flamenco

The famous Andalusian dance was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2010. However, flamenco has long become a visiting card not only of Andalusia, but of the whole of Spain as a whole - tourists from different countries world go home with souvenirs in the form of castanets, fans and "gypsy" dresses, indispensable attributes of this ancient art.

Lime production in Moron de la Frontera

Many houses in Seville are covered with white lime to keep them warm in the sun and are decorated with azulejos ceramic tiles. Lime is handmade according to recipes from the 15th century on the outskirts of Seville - Moron de la Frontera. This unique production operates to this day (in much smaller volumes) and has been under the protection of UNESCO since 2011.

Courtyards of Cordoba

The Patio Party was listed in 2011. Thus, the UNESCO committee noted the tradition of the Spaniards once a year in May to hold a festival in the courtyards of their homes.
During the festival, residents of Spain let everyone into the patio, which is a characteristic feature of the architecture Mediterranean countries, and show their neighbors and tourists the flowers and plants that adorn the courtyards. In addition, on the days of the festival, the Spaniards hold festive evenings and concerts, where they perform folk songs, dance flamenco and invite you to the table.

Dolmens of Antequera

This site, located in the center of Andalusia, includes three megalithic structures (Menga dolmen, Viera dolmen and El Romeral tomb), as well as two natural monument(La Peña de los Enamorados and El Torcal) which serve as landmarks. Megalithic structures the Neolithic and Bronze Ages consist of huge stone blocks and hide voids and rooms, separated by lintels and covered with false domes. These three tombs, buried in earthen mounds, are among the most outstanding structures in prehistoric Europe and are one of the most striking examples of European megalithic architecture. Dolmens were included in the UNESCO list in 2016.

Sunny Spain is rich both on clear days and unique sights that grew out of its amazing history and combines the features of many diverse cultures - ancient, which has come down to us since the times of the Holy Roman Empire; Islamic, left over from Arab rule; European - Christian and Jewish, during the Middle Ages.

One of the warmest Western European countries can offer tourists both beach vacation on chic Mediterranean coasts and numerous excursion programs in ancient cities, each of which contains its own set of attractions.

Alpine Avila was founded by the Veton tribe in the 5th century. BC. The main attractions of the city are Avila Cathedral, built at the beginning in the Romanesque, then in the Gothic and only in the 18th century in the Baroque style. And the ancient fortress wall, consisting of eighty-eight towers and nine gates, is more than two and a half kilometers long. Avila also has two important religious monuments: the church of San Juan Bautista, in which St. Teresa, and the monastery of Encarnacion, in which she spent twenty-seven years of her life.

Hotels in Avila

Founded as a Celtic settlement, Cuenca did not immediately become a Spanish city. At one time it belonged to the Romans, then the Moors, then the Arabs. Today Cuenca boasts a unique collection of medieval monuments from different cultures: the Gothic Cathedral of the 12th century, the Moorish watchtower of Magnan, the unusual Church of San Miguel, combining Arabic and Gothic motives.

Hotels in Cuenca city

Located on the island of Tenerife, the city was founded in 1496. At one time it functioned as the capital of the Canary Islands. San Cristobal de la Laguna is known for its folk architecture... Its historical monuments are of a religious nature. These include the first church in Tenerife - Iglesia de la Concepción (15th century), a 17th century convent and the Cathedral, rebuilt from a small church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 18th century.

Hotels: City of San Cristobal de la Laguna

Founded at the beginning of the new era (29-34) and flourishing under the Moors, Caceres has preserved the medieval charm of architecture, combining elements of Roman, Islamic and Gothic culture. Old city with majestic fortress walls and towers, the Cathedral of Our Lady and medieval mansions of the nobility in Caceres adjoin the unique Jewish quarter of San Antonio, formed in the 13th-15th centuries.

Hotels in the city of Caceres

Salamanca, located in the west of Spain, got its name after the conquest by Hannibal. During its existence, the city managed to visit both Roman and Arab rule. In the XI-XII centuries, the Christian population returned to Salamanca. The historic city center with its Baroque Plaza Mayor, Roman bridge and numerous medieval cathedrals since 1988 it has been a UNESCO site.

Hotels in Salamanca City

The birthplace of Cervantes and the seat of the oldest Spanish university, founded in the 15th century by Cardinal Cisneros, is 35 km away. from. The main attractions of the city, protected by UNESCO, are located in the historical center - the Gothic cathedral church of the 12th century, the Cathedral of the Holy Children, the Archbishop's Palace, the Cervantes square and house, the street of the Colleges and the Martyrs' Gate.

Hotels in Alcala de Henares

The ancient capital of Spain was founded in 192 BC. as a Roman outpost "Toletum". Today old City keeps in itself architectural traces of different eras and cultures: the ruins of an ancient amphitheater and a Roman aqueduct, the former Cristo de la Luz Mosque (X century) and the oldest European synagogue Santa Maria la Blanca (XII century), Cathedral of Saint Mary ( XIII-XV centuries) and numerous catholic churches and monasteries.

Hotels in Toledo city

The ancient Andalusian city, founded during the Phoenician colonization, reached its cultural and scientific heyday in the tenth century, when it became the capital of the Muslim state - the Caliphate of Cordoba. Along with the Arab monuments of architecture, the main of which is the Cathedral Mosque (Mesquita), Cordoba has a unique Roman bridge, built under Octavian Augustus, and the country's largest Synagogue of the XIV century.

Hotels in Cordoba city

The legendary city is known throughout the Christian world as the burial place of the relics of the Apostle James. The Cathedral of Santiago (this is where the sacred remains are kept), erected in the 11th-13th centuries, combines features of Spanish Romanesque and Baroque architecture in its facade. It is the end point of the “Way of St. James” pilgrimage route, which runs through the whole country and is included in the UNESCO List.

Hotels: City of Santiago de Compostela

Among the many cultural and historical sights of the country, there are even entire islands included in the World Heritage. So, the Spanish Ibiza is almost entirely included in this list. All thanks amazing nature and unique architectural monuments... Rare marine organisms live off the coast of the island. They feed on Posidonia. This is a type of algae that is considered endemic, that is, very rare. But not only this fact makes him known to the whole world. Posidonia is the longest type of algae, reaching up to 8 m. In addition, Mediterranean pine grows on our island. Like the olive bushes, these trees have formed the landscape of Ibiza for seven thousand years.

As for the architectural sights that make up the UNESCO heritage in Spain, among them it is worth noting the Cathedral in the city of Burgos. This is one of the oldest Catholic sanctuaries in the country, built in the Gothic style. Its history goes back over eight hundred years. Not only the external, but also the internal decoration of the cathedral is an object of admiration. Inside you can see a gilded staircase, sculptures and altars, as well as relief images of gospel stories. In addition, the cathedral is decorated with beautiful stained-glass windows.

A true engineering wonder, protected by UNESCO in Spain, is the Biscay Transporter Bridge. It was built at the end of the 19th century. The bridge was the first of its kind in the world. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it allows you to transport goods across the river, which does not become an obstacle for ships passing through it.

Talking about natural heritage Spain worth mentioning national park Garajonay on Homer Island. There are virgin forests with laurel trees. In addition to them, you can find here over five hundred different types plants and trees. There are many water sources in the park, which leads to lush vegetation. This ecosystem is truly unique, which determined the inclusion of this reserve in the World Heritage.