CIUDADES ESPANOLAS A VIEW OF IMPORTANT SPANISH CITIES

MADRID It is the highest capital in Europe. Madrid has three major art gallreies: the Prado, Nuseo Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina (Golden Triangle) Madrid’s symbol is the bear.

TOLEDO Known as the “City of Three Cultures” Toledo is famous for its metal-working, especial in making swords. Toledo, Spain and Toledo, Ohio are Sister Cities.

SEVILLA People from Sevilla are the most prideful of all Spanish Cities. They consider themselves citizens of Sevilla first, then of their state (Andalucia), and then of Spain. Christopher Columbus left fro m the Port of Sevilla on his journey to the New World. Flamenco is the regional dance of Sevilla.

MÁLAGA Malaga is the birthplace of famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso. Home of two very famous Moorish castile s. Dictator Francisco Franco wanted to turn this city in to the “Florida of Europe”

CÓRDOBA At one time, Córdoba was the world’s largest city counting about one million residents. Córdoba’s Mezquita is the largest mosque in the entire world, as well as the world’s largest temple. Out of Córdoba there are the world’s largest olive plantations.

GRANADA Home to one of the most famous Spanish monuments, the Alhambra, and a gigantic historic palace full of remnants of both Moorish and Catholic culture. One of the only cities where you get a free tapa with every drink you order. Federico Garcia Lorca was born and died in Granada.

VALENCIA Known for its Azulejos. Its name comes from the Latin word for “strength” Valencia is the birthplace of Paella.

BARCELONA Drivers in Barcelona are considered among the worst in the world, with accidents occurring in the city every nineteen seconds. Antonio Gaudi began construction of La Sagrada Familia in 1882 and is still in construction today. Las Ramblas is a 2 kilometer long boulevard where it is customary to walk and take in the sights of the street artists, enjoy a cup of coffee or buy flowers.

PAMPLONA The famous Running of the Bulls celebration takes place every July. American Author, Ernest Hemmingway often visited Pamplona; he even made it the setting for one of his novels. The city was almost destroyed after a Moorish-Frankish battle in 778.

BILBAO Bilbao is the capital city of Pais Vasco, where their first language is not Spanish, but a language known as Basque. They call champagne, or “cava”, “Bilboa Water” The Bilbao Guggenheim Museum of Art is world famous.

OVIEDO The Monte Narranco trail showcases a statue of Jesus that emulates the one in Rio de Janeiro. Oviedo is famous for its sidra. Sr. V lived in Oviedo for half a year.

SALAMANCA Salamanca is home to one of the world’s oldest universities. For the Romans, Salamanca was an important link on the “Road to Silverl.” The Spanish one their independence from France in 1812 in the Battle of Arapiles (which took place in Salamanca)

LA CORUNA In 1588, the Spanish Armada sailed from La Coruna in their invasion attempt of England. La Coruna has many celtic roots, similar to those seen in Scotland. La Coruna is sometimes called “the crystal city” because many of its houses have glassed balconies