Culture CULTURE Spain’S Cultural Heritage Is One of the Richest and Most Varied in the World
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culture CULTURE Spain’s cultural heritage is one of the richest and most varied in the world. across spain allows you to experience this culture through different areas such as gastronomy and oenology, heri- tage, museums, natural parks, festivals, tradi- tions and much more. 1. along the Mediterranean coast 2. camino de Santiago-Portuguese way 3. Cantabric coast 4. cultural Catalonia 5. Don Quixote route 6. gastronomic diversity 7. islamic heritage, main & minor cities 8. Morocco imperial cities 9. shrines of faith 10. star festivals 11. wildhorse festival, NW Iberian peninsula 12. trendy markets 13. wine & architecture along the Mediterranean coast Cadaqués one of the most symbolic pla- ces on the Costa Brava. wan- der around the old town and winding cobbled streets and discover its stunning nature, coves, beaches and rocks which have been a source of inspiration for no- table visitors and residents for decades. today, this centre enjoys an intense cultural life, as demonstra- ted by its many museums and art galleries, among which the Salvador Dalí house-museum stands Girona this Catalan city has an excellent position, situated at the end of the Pyrenean chain and the Costa Brava, bathed by the Mediterranean sea. set in Girona´s wa- lled enclosure- la Força Vella, stands the cathedral with the widest gothic nave in medieval European architecture. discover also the multitude of small streets making up el Call, one of the best preserved jewish quarters in Spain. Peñíscola one of the most popular tourist resorts in the province of Castellón. the castle, overlooking the sea, offers a glimpse of its past at a time when knights and battle- mented fortresses occupied this area. Pope Benedict XIII, known as ‘Papa Luna’, chose this as a place of seclusion and to launch the fight for the unity of the catholic church. outside the defensive walls there are numerous hotels, apartments and residential estates. Guadalest situated on top of a five-hundred-metre-high rock in the province of Alicante. the well-kept historic quar- ter was declared a historic-artistic site. it is a good idea is to go up to the castle of San José, a muslim fortress from the 11th century, from where you will have splendid views of the surroundings. 1 Camino de Santiago Portuguese way day 1 Porto airport to Tui in Tui, don´t miss the chance to visit the Cathedral of Santa Ma- ria from 12th century and also cross the international bridge that connects Spain and Portugal over the Miño river. day 2 Tui –O’Porriño (14km-3h) wander through the historic streets of Tui, ascending to Ribadelouro to visit the parish of Bartolomé de Re- bordans. end the day in O’Porriño town. day 3 O’Porriño-Arcade (23km/5-6h by foot) walk to Mos and see Santa Eulalia church and the impressive pazo de Mos, before reaching Rendondela. climb to O Viso in order to admire the estuary from above and arrive in Arcade, famous for its oysters. day 4 Arcade-Pontevedra (12 km/3h by foot) cross the historical, roman bridge over the Verdugo river and reach A Canicouva. finish your day. explo- ring the impressive centre of Pontevedra, including the church of the Virgen de la Peregrina. day 5 Pontevedra-Caldas (21km/4-5h by foot) start a tour along the Galician countryside until Cal- das de Rei, where you can visit the Church of Santo Tomás and its beautiful botanical garden with sixty different species of trees and flowers. day 6 Caldas de Rei-Padrón (17km/4-5 hours) enjoy the landscape along the way and cross the river Ulla to arrive to Padrón, land of the illustrious writers such as Camilo José Cela, also known for its popular, delicious green peppers. day 7 Padrón-Santiago (22km/5-6 hours) the day has come to reach Santiago de Compostela and its majestic cathedral, after ascending the city through several small villages. 2 Cantabric coast Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country, also known as the “green Spain” are the northern regions of Spain and are known for their well conserved ecological areas and their impressi- ve, rough coasts. Picos de Europa national park for instance is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and can be visited by foot or cable car. get up to almost 2000 metres above sea level to admire the immense beauty of nature in the mountains, or visit Somie- dos natural park, which is home to Europe’s largest population of brown bears living in total freedom. on the coast, enjoy the beaches of San Sebastián, Santander or Oyambre beach in Cantabria, with its impressive dunes. the Cantabric coast also captivates visitors with its culture and history. the world heritage Altamira Caves, Gaudí’s capricho monument in Comillas or the 20th century royal palace of La Magdalena in Santander, are only a few of this region’s historic jewels. pilgrim routes in this area, like the Camino de San- tiago or the Silver route also are of great importan- ce, as well as buildings like the modern Guggenheim museum in Bilbao or the Indianos architecture in the Ribadesella or Llanes. mansions built by emi- grants returned from America in the 19th century. festivals like the traditional Vijanera Festival, and sporting events such as the international canoeing competitions like the descent of Sella river and Deva river also make this area so special and unique. from Asturian fabada to Cantabrian anchovies, you will find Spain’s finest cuisine in the north. always -ac companied by a traditional, exquisite cider or wine of the region. for all cheeselovers and gastronomical experts, there is even the opportunity to take part in a cheese making workshop in a rural farm. 3 cultural Catalonia day 1 Barcelona mediterranean and cosmopoli- tan city with Roman remains, medieval quarters and beauti- ful examples of 20th century modernism and avant-garde. day 2 medieval Cardona, located 100km from Barcelona. picturesque town with an important medieval heritage. its most outstanding features include the walled fortress in its castle, set on a hill, and the foremost example of the Catalan romanesque style of architecture. day 3 nature and world heritage practise rafting or kayaking in La Noguera Pallaresa river. continue with nature and visit Aigües Tortes national park. on the way, you will find beautiful ro- manesque buildings, such as Sant Climent and Santa Maria de Taüll, Sant Llorenç and Santa María, some with the UNESCO World Heritage designation. day 4 trekking in the edge trekking tour in the impressive and majestic Mont Re- bei gorge declared a Wildlife Refuge in 2005. great gorge in Catalonia with about 4 km long. day 5 roman vs modernism the region of Tarragona, with its roman archaeo- logical complex declared a World Heritage site in 2000. Reus, birthplace of Gaudí with modern jewels such as the institute Pere Mata, also popular for its popular aperitif drink, vermouth. day 6 the cistercian route fascinating, mystic and religious legacy within a route that connects three monasteries related to the medie- val splendour of Catalonia: Poblet ( UNESCO world he- ritage site), Santes Creus and Vallbona de les Monges. day 7 final day of this enriching experience. 4 Don Quixote route day 1 Madrid start the trip in Madrid. cosmo- politan city that offers historic sights and exquisite gastro- nomy. the convent of the dis- calced trinitarians might be place where Cervantes and his wife are buried, and on Plaza de España there are statues dedicated to this great artist. day 2 Alcalá de Henares visit Alcalá de Henares, world heritage city and Cervantes’ birthplace. experience the Cervantes’ hou- se museum and visit one of the oldest, most historical universities of Spain. stay in the wonderful parador of Alcalá and enjoy delicious tapas in the evening. day 3 Esquivias – Toledo 40km south, in the province of Toledo, is the birthpla- ce of Cervantes’ wife and where they got married. visit the museum of Cervantes’ house and continue travelling to Toledo city, a world heritage site also known as the “city of three cultures”. day 4 Consuegra – Alcázar de San Juan the next stop is Consuegra, known for the windmills that Don Quixote fought against, thinking they were giants. afterwards, head to Alcázar de San Juan where Cervantes was baptised and visit the Hidalgo House Museum and the Cervantes Visitor Centre. day 5 Campo de Criptana – El Toboso explore the “Land of Giants”, where most of the windmills that inspired Cervantes are located. later go to El Toboso, where you will find his beloved Dul- cinea-House-Museum. day 6 Argamasilla – Villanueva de los Infantes reach Medrano Cave, where Cervantes was kept as a prisoner and started writing his book. head to Lagu- nas de Ruidera nature reserve, which offers beauti- ful wetlands before spending the night in Ciudad Real. 5 gastronomic diversity halal any potencial halal muslim who is planning on visiting Spain should know halal products are availble in many restaurants, hotels and catering services. the halal institute is the entity that manages the guarantee seal applied to the islamic halal foods, pruducts and services pro- vided in our country. kosher nowadays travelers in Spain may find quality certi- fied kosher products. there are numerous restaurants and hotels which bring together high cuisine and the healthy mediterranean diet with kosher and the kos- her tradition. typical dishes and wines are under strict quality control. Asian since a couple of decades ago, a lot of restaurants have opened in every major city to provide this de- licious international cuisine. it doesn’t matter if you prefer Indian and its many varieties such as Jain, or whether you opt for Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai or Korean food, you will find any of it.