Constructions World Heritage in Spain
The enviable cultural and architectural wealth present throughout its territory, make Spain the third country with more places and monuments recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO.
This country is proud to receive millions of visitors, who year after year arrive eager to discover its architectural wonders. Below is a list of some of the World Heritage buildings in Spain.
The Alhambra in Granada
The Alhambra is considered the most visited monument in Spain and has been included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites since 1984 next to the lush gardens of the Generalife. Ten years later the complex was completed with the inclusion of the picturesque Albaicín district.
From the viewpoint of San Nicolás, located in Albaicín, it is easy to let yourself be enchanted by the marvelous view of the Alhambra fortress, and then take a stroll through the interiors of this Islamic palatine city, headquarters of the ancient court of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.
Gaudí’s work, Catalonia
The genius of the great Antoni Gaudí and his incomparable contribution to the development of the architecture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, have been recognized with the inclusion of seven buildings designed by him in the list of World Heritage of UNESCO since 1984, all located in Barcelona.
When you pass through Barcelona you will have the opportunity to get to know at first hand works such as the Park and Palace of Güell, the House of Vicens, the House of Mila, the Holy Family, the House of Batlló, and let yourself be enveloped by the mysterious crypt of Colonia Güell.
There is no doubt that the work of this Catalan genius, the greatest exponent of Spanish modernism, is one of the greatest treasures of Spain’s artistic heritage. His creations, full of curves, colours and an incomparable display of imagination are among the greatest tourist attractions in Spain.
El Escorial, Madrid
The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is located to the north of Madrid, in the Sierra de Guadarrama. A World Heritage Site since 1984, it was erected by order of Philip II as a resting place for the remains of his father, Charles V.
Considered by many to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World” since the 16th century, the Monastery of El Escorial is an impressive architectural complex that includes a royal palace, a basilica, a pantheon and a library that houses more than 40,000 literary works by different Spanish and European artists, including Latin codices and Arabic, Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.
This emblematic place has served as a royal residence, a study centre, a workshop for various trades, accommodation and sometimes even a hospital. Beneath its church lie the remains of several King and Queen of Spain.
The architectural treasure of Seville, Andalusia
A visit to Seville is a unique opportunity to see the spectacular Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic temple in Europe. This will give you the chance to marvel at a climb up the Giralda Tower, from where you can feel the city’s medieval past.
In the very heart of the city you have the opportunity to stroll through the gardens and rooms of the splendid Alcazar, built by the Muslims to control the Guadalquivir, which later became one of the favourite places of the Spanish Catholic kings.
To continue soaking up history, visit the old Lonja, then converted into the Archivo de Indias (Archive of the Indies). All these buildings are on the UNESCO heritage list, making Seville one of the historically richest places in Spain, being the nucleus of Andalusian culture.
Cathedral of Burgos, Castilla y León
Where the remains of El Cid and his wife Doña Jimena rest, the cathedral of Burgos began to be built in 1221 and culminated between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. This gives you an idea of the complexity of its structure.
This monument is considered one of the most representatives of Gothic art in Spain. It treasures one of the largest concentrations of masterpieces of this artistic current in the whole world. To this must be added the impressive rooms such as the Chapel of the Condestable and the striking needles that crown the building.
Historic centre of Cordoba, Andalusia
The Roman bridge, the district of San Basilio, the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, the Synagogue or the Torre Fortaleza de la Calahorra, are some of the places of obligatory visit when you go for a walk to the incredible city of Cordoba in Andalusia.
No visitor is left indifferent when admiring the fascinating and perfectly preserved centre of Cordoba, one more on the UNESCO list in Spain. The Cordovan cathedral mosque can easily be recognized as the best representation of the different cultures that have left their mark on Spanish history.
Segovia, its Roman aqueduct and its old town, Castilla y León
Built by the Romans to carry the water from the Acebeda River to the upper part of the city, this impressive civil engineering work of about 15 kilometers in length never ceases to amaze those who come to see it.
It is difficult not to be amazed when you look closely at this masterpiece of Roman ingenuity, since its granite ashlars are placed without any type of mortar and have remained in place for two millennia thanks to a system of thrusts and weights.
The legacy of the Romans joins the 11th century Alcazar and the 16th century Gothic Cathedral as part of the UNESCO-protected heritage of Castile and Leon.
Vizcaya Bridge, Basque Country
Among the heritage protected by UNESCO in our country, you will not only find places and monuments steeped in ancient and medieval history. Thus, you will not fail to admire the sui generis steel bridge-transfer that crosses the Ibaizabal River from Portugalete to Bilbao, which was the first of its kind built in the world.
This work by the renowned architect Alberto de Palacio y Elissague, built in 1893, is part of the pride of the Biscayans, who see how this ingenuity, so important for their economy at the time, continues to function as the first day and is one of the tourist attractions of the area.
The work of Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Barcelona
The work of Lluís Domènech i Montaner is one of the most important architectural legacies of Catalonia after that of Gaudí. Two of his works in Barcelona have been named World Heritage by UNESCO and therefore occupy a privileged place on our list.
The Palau de la Música de Catalunya is one of the largest theatres in Europe, located in Sant Pere Més Alt Street in the Ribera district of Barcelona. Its glass walls and its many integration of works of art mean that anyone who attends one of its concerts is transported to another world. It has been part of UNESCO’s heritage list since 1908, the same year in which it was finished.
For its part, the Hospital de la Santa Cruz y San Pablo is the second masterpiece of Domènech that you cannot miss in Barcelona. It is a complex of 19 modernist buildings with a unique architectural level. Walking through it will be like transporting you back to the beginning of the 19th century.
These are just some of the works considered World Heritage that you will be able to visit in Spain, but the list is much longer. All are proof of Spain’s cultural richness that explains why it is currently the second most visited country in the world.