10 Architectural Marvels Of Spain

Even though the ground-breaking contemporary artists have continued much to the architecture scenario in Spain, one can never deny the history of the combination of aesthetics from the Middle East and Europe. Well, Spain today celebrates the exotic mix of masterpieces created by Moore, Mozarabic and Mudejar designs, and plateresque style.

Now, many consider architecture in Spain to be synonymous with Antoni Gaudi. Well, even if you have read about him, this list here will certainly enlighten you and here are the architectural marvels that you can’t miss.

La Sagrada Familia: Also known as the Holy Family Church, the La Sagrada Familia is said to be the summary of every

work that Antoni Gaudi has done in his lifetime. Incorporating leaning columns, this architecture has 18 towers and each one of them is dedicated to different religious figures.

Designed in warped gothic style, this church has bright mosaics at the top of the towers. Even though Gaudi did not live long enough to see this masterpiece completed, talented architects followed Gaudi’s vision. Today it showcases Gaudi’s works and is considered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Parque Guell: This World Heritage Monument was originally designed and created by Gaudi for the wealthy patron Eusebi Guell. The beauty of this park lies in the mosaic wall that surrounds it.

This public park has a staircase that leads to the Doric Temple. The hollow columns here are used as storm drain pipes. The public square is located at the top of the Doric Temple and gives the visitor a bird’s eye view of the Barcelona city.

The Alhambra: Located in Granada, this picturesque complex used to be the largest political center for the Muslim West once upon a time. Today it stands adorned with buildings and gardens embellished with tree-lined walkways. In addition, also consider visiting the Alcazaba Citadel, La Vela Tower and the Courtyard of the Lions.

Great Mosque of Cordoba: Upholding mixed styles of architectural representation, this historic architecture stands as the symbol of Muslim art. Built by Emir Abdurrahman in 785, this mosque has gone through a number of renovations and the last one was by Al-Mansur.

The interior today is adorned with gorgeous columns along with horseshoe arches. The cathedral here was built after the Christian conquest in the year 1523 and features the Baroque altarpiece, choir stalls, and the main altarpiece.

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela: Built in the Romanesque style, this cathedral was built during the rulership of Alfonso VI in the year 1075. In addition, it has different styles including Gothic, Plateresque, and Neoclassical incorporated into it. The La Gloria Portico, one of the main attractions here, was built by Master Mateo. This main entrance is known for featuring 200 different figures that refer to Apocalypse, Saint James and soon.

Burgos Cathedral: This elegant cathedral is known for its outstanding elegance and harmonious architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage site is primarily Gothic in its design. Puerta Del Pedron, the main facade here, embellishes itself with starred rose window and a number of statues of the Castile monarchs. The 84-metre towers adorn the facade on both sides. You must not miss the gorgeous Escalera Dorada which was influenced by the Italian Renaissance.

Alcazar Fortress: Located in the Segovia province, this fortress was built for military purposes and was used by Alfonso VII as a residence as well. The Gothic elegance of this structure was the result of the Spanish influence that the architects brought with themselves during the reign of John II as well as Henry IV. Both the main courtyard as well as the Escuela de Honor building were completed by Juan de Herrera who worked in collaboration with the architect Francisco de Mora.

Nuestra Senora Del Pilar Basilica: Being one of the best architectural marvels of Spain, this church is a true gem of Baroque art. Built in the domain of 17th and 18th centuries, this baroque church features Santa Capilla which is known for amazing work of Ventura Rodriguez. You should also visit the alabaster-made altarpiece here. Apart from being a National Monument, the Basilica del Pilar is considered to be one of the most significant spiritual destinations in the country.

Merida Roman Theatre: Located in the Badajoz region, this theatre is one of the key architectures developed during the classical Roman era. Designed to offer the best acoustic experience to the audience, this theatre can accommodate approximately 30,000 people. Built by General Agrippa during the 15-16 B.C., this theatre is embellished with three access doors along with a podium.

La Giralda Tower: Built in the 12th century, this architecture features bell tower, orange tree courtyard and so on. Both the diminishing niches as well as El Giraldillo were added to the original tower during the 16th century. The part embellished with bricks was added under the supervision of the architect Ali De Gomara. While the bell tower enables you to have a spectacular view of the city, you can’t simply miss the Visigoth pool in the courtyard.

Stay

You will never run out of accommodation options especially when you are in Spain. In case you are traveling on a budget, you must choose hotels like Hotel Sauce, La Portiella del Llosu and so on. You can also try the Casa Gracia which is located in Barca and ensures warm hospitality.

Hotels like Balcon de Cordoba or El Palace are lavish compared to the previous ones. These hotels guarantee the ultimate luxury experience during your stay in Spain. While Balcon de Cordoba is one of the famous lavish boutique hotels here, El Palace will certainly amaze you with spa, rooftop and top class services.

Eat

With a wide range of delicious foods available for you to try, Spain will certainly excite your taste buds. You must try the Paella which is one of the traditional dishes in this country. In addition, you need to have a soothing glass of Gazpacho which is made of ripe tomatoes and a number of other ingredients including olive oil, garlic, cucumber and so on. Try out the Tortilla Espanola at the local cafes as well. No matter where you are in Spain, the one thing that you should absolutely try is the Patatas Bravas which is basically made of fried potato.
Shop

If you are all set for Spanish conquest, shopping is undoubtedly going to be a big part of it. Being the largest supermarket in Europe, the El Corte Ingles is the perfect place for you to have access to daily essentials and high-end products as well.

Shall you have the desire to try local delicacies, you should visit the Mercado Central located in Valencia. Imaginarium is the best shop for you to purchase some valuable gifts for your babies. In addition, you can visit other Europe Honeymoon packages smart holiday shops including Stradivarius, Calle Feria, La Maquinista, Mercado San Miguel and soon.