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Touring
Spain’s World Heritage Cities
In
a country whose first inhabitants pre-date the Neolithic period,
it’s hardly surprising Spain is endowed with a rich historical
past.
In
fact, for history buffs and lovers
of ancient architecture, it offers a goldmine of riches highlighted
today by eight UNESCO World Heritage Cities--more than any other
country in the world. I recently had the great pleasure of exploring
three of these marvellous centres that are exceptional monuments to
Spain’s past.
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Walled city of
Avila from Site of Four Pillars.
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Avila
Located about 100 km
northeast of Madrid, Avila is a well-preserved city contained within a
mile-long medieval wall. The construction of this stone fortification
began in the 11th century and was completed in only nine years by
nearly 2,000 men working daily--a remarkable feat considering its
length and the rudimentary tools of the day. The wall is punctuated by
nine gateways and 88 huge cylindrical turrets which nesting storks have
found to their liking. Inside the wall the city’s wealth of
architectural gems includes a monastery, temples, palaces, a museum,
churches and a central square. Centuries ago the square was used for
weekly public markets and special celebrations, however, on the dark
side it was also the site of numerous executions during the 15th
century Inquisition period.
Much
of Avila’s fame today is
centred around St. Theresa (one of Spain’s most renowned Saints)
who
was born there in 1515. During her lifetime she established a number of
convents and churches both in Avila and across the country. In addition
to its famous wall and St. Theresa monuments, the city’s crowning
architectural edifice is the Avila cathedral that dates back to the
12th century and combines a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
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Beginning in the
11th Century; 2,000 workers built Avila’s mile-long wall, seen
here with the Cathedral in the background.
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Overall,
visitors to Avila will find it’s a good walking city where almost
nothing has changed in hundreds of years. Moreover, its designation as
a World Heritage Site ensures it will remain that way.
Salamanca
Located
about 100 km east of Avila, this is a beautiful city that’s
impossible
not to love. A university town, Salamanca’s enchanting Old Town
section
is steeped in ancient history and filled with architectural treasures.
In fact, the famous Carthaginian warrior, Hannibal, captured Salamanca
in 217 BC.
Much larger and busier than Avila, the city skyline is
dominated by the 16th century New Cathedral, the 12th century Old
Cathedral, plus the university and the Plaza Major--Salamanca‘s
four
main tourist attractions. Built in the Baroque style in the 18th
century, the Plaza Major is one of Spain’s largest and grandest.
Over
the years it has been the site of markets, theatre, musical events and
even a bull ring, but today, restaurants, cafes and shopping make it
the town’s most popular gathering spot.
This
city is truly a
history and architecture lover’s dream. The two dominating
cathedrals
are predominantly constructed in Romanesque, Baroque, and Gothic styles
and the architecturally splendid University of Salamanca, founded in
1218, is regarded as the city‘s jewel of Spanish Renaissance art. Ranked among the oldest and most
prestigious schools in Europe, this is
a must-see venue where Christopher Columbus once lectured.
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Look up –
way, way up to the dome of Salamanca’s new Cathedral.
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The
university is open to the public where visitors can see interior
highlights such as a splendid library that houses manuscripts dating
from the 11th century and 40,000 books edited between the 16th and 18th
centuries.
While
Salamanca has some of the finest historical
and architectural treasures in Spain, it’s a city that contrasts
influences from the pre-Roman era with those of modern times. Its
latter day attractions include an Art Nouveau/Art Deco Museum, the
Museum of Oriental Art as well as an exceptional Automobile Museum.
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Book sellers in
Salamanca’s 18th Century Plaza Major, one of Spain’s
largest and grandest piazzas.
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Ranked
as one of the top tourist centres in Spain, the city also offers
visitors wonderful restaurants serving traditional Spanish cuisine,
terrace cafes, excellent shopping and plenty of nightlife.
Alcala De
Henares
About
35 km northeast of Madrid, Alcala de Henares (meaning castle on the
river Henares) was declared a World Heritage Site in 1998 and today it
ranks among the best preserved ancient cities in Europe.
Its
Old Town
centre is medieval with winding cobblestone streets lined with period
buildings, however, beyond this lies present day Spanish suburbia. The
heart of the city dates back to 1 BC when it was established by
conquering Romans and many centuries forward, in the 1480s, Christopher
Columbus met here with the Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isobella, to
discuss financing his voyage to the New World.
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Medieval winding
cobblestone streets in the old town of Alaca de Heneras .
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To
many, the
city is best known as the 1547 birthplace of writer, Miguel de
Cervantes, Spain’s most famous literary icon. Arguably his
greatest and
best known opus is Don Quixote Man of La Mancha, generally regarded
among the best novels ever written.
Not surprisingly, his name and
historical importance is celebrated in various parts of town including
street names, the Cervantes Train between Alcala de Henares and Madrid,
plus the Museum Casa Natal, the 16th century house where Cervantes was
born. The house has been
turned into a museum containing period
furniture and a collection of his works.
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Don Quixote and
Sanca Panza make new friend.
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So
important is Cervantes to
Alcala de Henares that the city operates an interpretation centre
dedicated to the author and his literary accomplishments.
TRAVEL PLANNER
For detailed information see www.spain.info.ca or call 1-416-961-3131.
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