Archive for 'Architectural Gems in Spain'

Oftentimes, when we discuss monasteries and religious complexes as tourist attractions, it is because there is an incredible architectural or artistic heritage to be observed on site that is has invaluable cultural heritage. However, while the Benedictine abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat has a rich historic and cultural heritage, its ruins don't have any one specific architectural landmark.

For many, there is only one reason to visit: the statue of the Black Madonna, patron saint of Catalonia. For others, it is the mountainous backdrop of the place or the incredible views that attract them to the site. No matter your reason for visiting, this stunning complex is sure to delight as the combination of elements is pretty magical.

The monastery is located 48km west of Barcelona, at the heart of Montserrat Natural Park, and is reached by road, train or cable car. The latter two options add to the charm of visiting the site, giving you ample opportunity to soak up the views and to step back in time a little.

Spain is home to a rather large number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 37 cultural objects among their number from walled cities to Mudejar palaces. One of the loveliest entries on this list has to be the two Renaissance cities of Úbeda and Baeza. Both are unique examples of such urban designs in Spain, where the imported Italian Renaissance stylistic influences are visible throughout in the city's churches, palaces and other buildings. Beautiful, intricate and fascinating, these two photogenic gems are the perfect, peaceful spots for history buffs and architecture fans to spend a day wandering and taking it all in. Just find a vacation rental in Andalusia and explore these fairytale cities for yourself.

Úbeda and Baeza are located at the heart of the province of Jaén in Andalusia and date to a period in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the cities were subject to renovation influenced by the emerging Italian Renaissance.

One of Barcelona's most popular attractions is Park Güell, a public park system composed of gardens and architectonic elements located on Carmel Hill that was designed by famous Catalonian architect Gaudí. Around four million people visit every year. In fact, it is such a key attraction in the city that it has come to symbolise the city itself and is an iconic visual that is plastered across all advertisements for and articles about Barcelona.

One of the most beautiful palaces in the entire world is located in the pretty and historic city of Seville in Andalusia, Spain. The Alcázar of Seville is a royal palace that was originally developed by Moorish Muslim kings and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site regarded as one of the most outstanding examples of mudéjar architecture. It is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe and is still occupied by the royal family as the official Seville residence to this day. Just find a vacation rental in Andalusia and come see this truly extraordinary building for yourself.

Various different structures existed on the site of the palace, as do earlier fortifications for local rulers, the current building, however, largely dates to the 12th and 13th centuries. The Almohades were the first to build a palace, that was called Al-Muwarak, on the site of the modern day Alcázar.

Looking like a fantastical town plucked right from the pages of Lord Of The Rings, Ronda is Malaga's most extraordinary town. Perched in a rather dramatic location on a plateau dotted by lush river valleys and bisected by the 100m fissure of El Tajo gorge, it is named for the fact that it is ‘surrounded’ by mountains. One of Spain's oldest towns, with Neolithic origins, it was first declared a city by Julius Caesar, though it didn't really begin to take shape until the 4th century AD. However, the appearance as it exists today owes itself to the period of Islamic rule and features mosques and palaces with distinctive ogives and other key architectural details of the period.