Dive into the Spanish History through these 9 Dazzling Landmarks Around Different Cities

Europe embraces more than a few beautiful countries with deep history and heritage. This time, we are focusing on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, where the land of flamenco and fiesta lies: Spain. Spain’s history is one of the deepest and most prosperous of Europe. It has a long timeline of several eras during which different cultures influenced the Spanish lands.

Throughout the years, Spain gained many nicknames from all the folks and tribes that passed by the lands. Various cultures have played a significant role in making the Spain we know today. These include the Castilians, Arabs, Roman gipsies, and Jews, to name a few. Most ruled the country or even co-existed at some point in history. 

Diving deep into Spain’s history can be quite profound, given its rich heritage. It takes a real history buff who is willing to go the distance. If you are this fellow, we have great news for you. Spanish history still hangs in the air between several historical landmarks today. All you need to do is pack up and fly to Spain! 

Top Attractions to Explore Spanish History

We’ve gathered the best destinations to visit to experience some of the profoundness of Spanish history. Check out this magnificent list to get a glimpse into a bygone era.

1- The Great Mosque of Cordoba (La Mezquita) – Cordoba 

Cordoba is one of the magnificent cities in Spain that holds so much Spanish history within its borders. It happens to be home to the impressive religious structure that is the Great Mosque of Cordoba. 

This mosque dates back to the 8th century. It was and has been significant to the strength of the Iberian city during Muslim rule. The Moorish style influences the structure of the architecture.

Today, this structure instead serves as a Roman Catholic Cathedral. This transformation happened when the rule of Spain changed from Muslim to Christian in the 13th century. Thus, you can see the addition of some architectural features. Yet, the Islamic features of the structure remain intact. You can take your time exploring the insides of this enormous structure. 

The mosque’s highlights are numerous. One impressive feature is the hypostyle hall, a large prayer hall with many columns. The mihrab is also one of the popular features; it’s the focal point of prayer as it identifies the wall that faces Makkah. Above it is a superb dome that seems too lavish, given the gold covering it.

2- Alhambra Palace – Granada

Granada is another city that clasps Spanish history related to the Moors. It used to be the capital city of Andalusia. Today, Granada attracts many tourists who want to observe its architectural work of art, Alhambra Palace. This palace’s name is the Arabic version of the red colour, for its walls used to be a little reddish. Some people even refer to it as the Red Fortress.

This fortress dates back to 1238, during the empire of Muhammed II and was completed in 1358. It stands on a high plateau overlooking the city of Granada. What we see today is not the original Moorish fortress of the 13th century. The outer walls are the only remaining parts of the fortress. The original fortress is today the Alcazaba Ruins found within; you can still explore the remnants of the castle. 

The fortress complex encompasses numerous palaces, including the Palace of the Lions, the Palace of Ceremonial Rooms, the Royal Palace, and the Palace of Charles V. Nonetheless, the Generalife Palace stands out.

Each palace features iconic landmarks, so you can spend your whole day unravelling its magic. Yet, the Generalife Palace happens to gain most of the hype. This lush paradise was the place where the Moorish Kings spent their summers. It possesses vast green landscapes, among which are paths. 

3- La Sagrada Familia – Barcelona

A trip to Spain can never be complete without an excellent tour around its beautiful Barcelona. Well, La Sagrada Familia is a staple and one of the main tourist attractions in the city. We have all seen many photos of people with this architectural masterpiece in the background and had the urge to travel. One of the great things about this cathedral is the Spanish history that lives within its walls.

While exploring this impressive structure, you will encounter the famous Nativity façade. This one is the most popular, yet it is not the only one. Other pretty façades exist to explore, including the Glory and the Passion façades. Despite their dissimilarities, they were all designed by the same architect, Antoni Gaudi. 

After wandering about the cathedral, you can treat yourself to something nice at the Plaza. This place lies just before the basilica, serving excellent drinks and delicacies to savour. Numerous trees and flowers surround the area, creating a tranquil ambience for you to relax. It’s also far from the noisy traffic, so you’ll have a great time chilling around the basilica.

4- San Lorenzo de El Escorial – Madrid

Madrid is a whole trip, given its richness in iconic landmarks and cultural sites. However, you can have a great day trip in San Lorenzo de El Escorial if you are a history buff. Moreover, the city has delicious cuisines and a great outdoor area to explore.

One of the great features of this town is the abundance of religious and historical complexes, mainly the monastery of El Escorial. This magnificent structure was home to Spanish royalty for hundreds of years.

Besides, the El Escorial complex encompasses a renowned Basilica with an architectural style resembling the Italian St. Peter’s Basilica. There’s also a grand palace that holds layers of Spanish history within. You can immerse yourself in the great chunks of history in this enormous complex’s air.

Moreover, you can enjoy the great outdoors by hiking in the dazzling surroundings of Sierra de Guadarrama. Biking is also one of the popular activities in the area. So, treat yourself to some fresh air while scrutinizing the panoramic views of nature.

5- Toledo Sephardic Museum (Museo Sefardi) – Toledo

Museums are some of the best buildings for digging into history’s darkest secrets. These structures are often more than just buildings with fascinating art galleries; they hold real tales. The Toledo Sephardic Museum is no exception. This historic site embraces pages of Spanish history. 

This museum should be your go-to if you want to learn about Jewish history. It’s dedicated to the legacy, culture, and history of the Jewish population that resided in Spain for centuries. Besides, it’s quite a long history, if you know. 

Interestingly, the museum complex itself was formerly a synagogue. Its walls have witnessed long Jewish history and heritage since the 14th century. This site is one of the top historical sites in Spain and draws thousands of visitors every year.

6- Medina Azahara – Cordoba

Cordoba city seems to hold still the remnants of Muslim Spain, or what used to be called Al Andalus. Medina Azahara is a famous town to explore if you are interested in the Islamic era of Spanish history. Many guided tours are made through the medieval town, where you can see the 10th-century version of Spain.

This town sits a few miles on the outskirts of Cordoba. Its name translates to “The Shining City,” given the advanced civilization of that time. Today, it still holds a historical significance in Spanish history.

The first thing that will capture your attention is the town’s location. It restfully sits on an elevated hill overlooking the countryside. The strategic location of Mediana Azahara makes it a perfect spot to enjoy scenic views. Unfortunately, this destination is missed by many visitors despite its historical significance. Make sure you add it to your itinerary to see this side of Spanish history.

7- Casa Batlló – Barcelona

If you are to see something iconic, make sure you don’t miss Barcelona’s famous Casa Batlló. This tremendous building stands proudly in the centre of Barcelona on Paseo de Garcia Street.

Moreover, Casa Batlló is another masterpiece of the artworks of the renowned architect Antoni Gaudi. It was formerly built in 1877 by Emilio Sala Cortes, who happens to be one of Gaudi’s professors. However, the façade we see today is the renovation that took place in 1904 under the supervision of Gaudi.

The building has been open to the public since 1995. It now serves as an architectural masterpiece where different events and activities occur. Furthermore, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Make sure Casa Batlló is one your itinerary if you are interested in embarking a journey into Gaudi’s works of art.

Several influential families have owned this building throughout the years. You can feel the existence of many stories on its walls. There’s so much to explore within the walls of Casa Batlló, including the 360 experience of Gaudi’s Cube and descending to the House’s Basement. You may not come across layers of Spanish history here, but you’ll have nonetheless.

8- The Historical City of Segovia – Segovia

Spain is home to several centuries-old sites that are unmissable in Spanish history. Segovia is one of Spain’s most beautiful cities, but it’s not deemed among the large buzzing cities. For that reason, many tourists tend to miss this great spot in Spain. However, you should add Segovia to your itinerary as a history buff. 

One of Segovia’s splendid features is its centuries-old fortress, Alcazar de Segovia, which means the Fortress of Segovia. According to the Christian writing found inside, it’s a historical landmark dating back to the 12th century. If you’re willing to visit, book your spot on the tour in advance.

Another iconic highlight in Segovia is the Roman columns known as the Aqueduct. These columns date back to a couple of thousands of years ago when the Romans built them to carry water to the city from the Acebeda River. It’s deemed an iconic construction all over Europe and one of its kind. You can wander around or under them and appreciate their archaic nature.

9- El Miguelete Tower (El Micalet) – Valencia 

El Miguelete Tower’s construction began in 1381. It’s a bell tower attached to the Valencia Cathedral. The tower has a fascinating Gothic style and is one of Valencia‘s most symbolic monuments. It is located beside the cathedral’s main door.

Visitors are permitted to climb to the top of the tower and enjoy the scenic views it offers. It takes 207 steps to reach the top, which is a lot of work, but we promise the scenes it provides are worth the great effort. You can observe the excellent landscapes of Valencia city. 

Most visitors are compelled to scrutinize the inside of the renowned cathedral after finishing their tour around the tower. The cathedral is immersed in profound history and art. It is also home to the famous Holy Chalice or the Holy Grail. Many Christians worldwide travel to Valencia to check out the vessel Jesus used at the Last Supper.

Hopefully you enjoyed this article on Spanish History, we enjoyed researching and writing about it – educating ourselves as we went! If you want to discover more about Spain – travel and tourism, we have some excellent city guides to check out. Our latest ones are on the historic city of Malaga, the incredible seaside region of Murcia (one of my favourites), the port city of Cartagena and of course the beautiful city of León.