SPAIN
Casa Europa México Presents…
Without a doubt, there is no European country with which Mexico feels more identified than Spain. For historical reasons, bittersweet as they may be, for the language, and many more reasons, for us, it is "the motherland." So how to encompass such a rich country in our history in such a short article? More difficult, impossible!
Casa Europa México Presents…
Without a doubt, there is no European country with which Mexico feels more identified than Spain. For historical reasons, bittersweet as they may be, for the language, and many more reasons, for us, it is "the motherland." So how to encompass such a rich country in our history in such a short article? More difficult, impossible!
WHAT TO VISIT IN SPAIN?
For us, most Mexicans, going to Spain for the first time is like going to the house where we were told our great-grandparents or great-great-grandparents lived.
If you have ancestors who came from Spain, do you know where they came from? This is asked because, broadly speaking, and regardless of whether their origin was Iberian, peninsular, Sephardic, or Moorish, migrants from northern Spain settled in what is now northern Mexico; those from the center, in central cities; those from the south, in southern states. Being Guanajuato a state located in central-northern Mexico, like our small city of San Miguel de Allende, it would not be surprising to know that many Spaniards from Santander, Bilbao, Navarra, Asturias, Galicia (La Coruña), Zamora, Salamanca, or Castilla y León took root here. (In the state of Guanajuato, we have two municipalities named after Spanish provinces: Salamanca and León; not to mention that Zamora, in Michoacán, and Guadalajara, in Jalisco, are almost neighboring cities whose names came from Spain.
So, what to do in Spain on a trip? Quite a question. To answer it just off the cuff and following a strict order of cities by population importance, we can barely give a taste of the must-sees:
BARCELONA:
Gaudí (1852-1926) was a Barcelonan architect considered the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism. Almost all of his work was carried out in Barcelona, and there are guided or suggested tours for it. Among others, the route includes Parc Güell, Casa Batlló, the Church of the Sagrada Familia, and La Pedrera or Casa Milà, considered tourist symbols of the city and in some cases World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
VALENCIA:
The City of Arts and Sciences, located at the end of the old Turia River bed, is an architectural, cultural, and entertainment complex located in the coastal city of Valencia. The complex was designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, along with the engineers who designed the structural covers of L'Oceanogràfic, Alberto Domingo and Carlos Lázaro. It was inaugurated on June 9, 1998, with the opening of El Hemisférico. In 2007, the complex was one of the winners of the 12 Treasures of Spain contest. Two years later, the last major component of the City was inaugurated: the Ágora, located between the l'Assut de l'Or bridge and L'Oceanogràfic.
SEVILLE:
Located in the south of the country, where there was a strong Moorish influence, the must-see is undoubtedly the Seville Cathedral, considered the largest Gothic-style temple in the world. Previously, the Great Mosque stood there until the 12th century when the cathedral was built. From the Arab era, the minaret known as the Giralda is preserved, from where you get fantastic views. Additionally, during the visit to the Cathedral, you can see the Patio de los Naranjos, Renaissance works, and the tomb of Christopher Columbus who, without being a great conqueror but a great explorer, is remembered as the discoverer of America.
ZARAGOZA:
The capital of the Aragon region in northeastern Spain is another city with great attractions. To vary the recommendations a bit, let's go now to a traditional festival in Zaragoza, where every October 12, the patron saint, the Virgen del Pilar, is celebrated. This traditional and religious festival began in 1807, but its antecedents are the feast of the Virgin of the Assumption, on August 15, which was also celebrated in Zaragoza. The duration is eight days. The "Proclamation" starts the festivities and the official Jotas contest concludes them. In between, there are fairs, dances, music, culture, and shows, as well as the religious part. The "Offering of Flowers" is celebrated on October 12, the day of the patron saint and Hispanic Day. Another act to highlight is the "Offering of Fruits" in the morning of October 13. Perhaps one of the least known but most spectacular acts is the "Crystal Rosary" held on the evening of October 13.
Casa Europa Mexico Recommends…
There are many wine regions in Spain, with La Rioja being the best known worldwide, followed by Ribera del Duero. Which wines are better? In this two-minute video, we can get an idea and from there continue exploring:
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