http://www.historvius.com/planner/trip-4fcd5cc656be1/ Top Ten Spain - Day 01 Name: Alhambra Address: Alhambra, Calle, Real, 18009 Granada, Spain Alternative Name: - Contact Details: 902 441 221 Entry Information: Open daily except on 25 December and 1 January. November-February, open 8:30am-6pm (evening visits Fridays & Saturday, 8pm-9:30pm). March- October, open from 8:30am-8pm (evening visits Fridays and Saturday 10pm-11:30pm). Ticket offices close 1 hr before closing. Certain areas free to enter, but most require a ticket. General entry costs 12 Euros, admission to the Alcazaba, Partal and the Generalife costs 6 Euros. Concessions are available and there are also certain passes available (see the official website). Note that there are fewer than 7000 tickets available daily - best to book in advance. Site Direction: Located in the city of Granada, Spain along Route E-902/A-44 (Ctra de Granada), around 126 km northwest of Malaga. Buses 30 and 32 travel to the site and the Alhambra is located around 3 km southeast of Carretera de Jaén bus terminal on Ctra de Jaén road. Buses travel from the station to Cordoba (3 hrs), to Malaga (1.5 hrs) and Madrid (6 hrs). Trains run from Granada s Avenida de Andaluces, around 2km west of the site to Madrid (6 hours), Cordoba (4 hours) and Malaga (2.5 hours). Description Calat Alhambra or the Red Fortress in Granada, Spain, is a complex of royal palaces, mosques, baths, shops and other buildings surrounded by an imposing two kilometer fortified wall. Originally established in 1238 by the founder of the Nasrid Dynasty, Muhammad Ibn al Ahmar, it was expanded in the 13th century by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada of the Nasrid Dynasty, who passed the project onto his son and heir, Mohammad V. Mohammed completed the Alhambra in the 14th century, including the Palacio Nazaríes. Thus the Alhambra became the royal residence of the Nasrid emirs or princes until 1492, when it was conquered by the Christians.
In fact, Arabic texts show that there was a fortress at the Alhambra from the 9th century and evidence even points to it being inhabited during Roman times, but the work of the Nasrid Dynasty was the first incarnation of the Alhambra fortified palace complex as it is known today. The Alhambra area, known as Albayzin, was also an important stronghold for the eleventh century Zirid Dinasty and for the Andalusians in the twelfth century. Today, the Alhambra is open to the public. Visitors can tour its palaces, including the Palacio Nazaríes and the 16th century Palace of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. The Alcazaba or citadel is another highlight of the Alhambra, this being the main element of the complex s fortifications. The Alhambra is centred on two main courtyards, the Court of the Lions and the Court of Myrtles, the former with a fountain and the latter with a long pool. Its beautiful Generalife gardens and buildings are also worth visiting, while the Alhambra Museum offers everything from Nasrid art to archaeological finds. The Alhambra contains a wealth of building and monuments and a visit usually lasts around 3 hours. The Alhambra s website is very useful for downloading tours onto mobile devices as well as maps and itineraries. Audio guides are available on site. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Notes
http://www.historvius.com/planner/trip-4fcd5cc656be1/ Top Ten Spain - Day 01 Name: Royal Palace of Madrid Address: Palacio Real de Madrid, Calle Bailén, 28001 Madrid Alternative Name: Palacio Real de Madrid Contact Details: +34 914 54 8700 Entry Information: The Royal Palace of Madrid is open at the following times - Apr-Sept: 9am- 6pm (Sundays and public holidays 9am-3pm). Oct-Mar: 9:30am-5pm (Sundays and public holidays 9am-2pm). General ticket 8. Site Direction: Metro: Ópera (Lines 2 and 5). Cercanías: Príncipe Pio. Buses 3, 25, 39 and 148 Description The Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid) is the official - although not the actual - home of the Spanish royal family. Now used mainly for ceremonial and public functions, the Royal Palace of Madrid is open to the public as a museum of the building s and the country s history. Prior to the building of the Royal Palace of Madrid, the site on which it sits was home to the Antiguo Alcazar, translated as the Old Fortress. When this burnt down in 1734, Felipe V (Philip V) ordered the construction of what would become the Royal Palace of Madrid. Begun in 1738, the Royal Palace of Madrid would take seventeen years to complete and its first resident was the infamous Charles III (Carlos III). It would serve as the home of the Spain s monarchs until 1931 under Alfonso XIII. Visitors to the Royal Palace of Madrid can view the armour and weaponry of the Kings of Spain in the Royal Armoury, the Royal Pharmacy and several fascinating rooms such as that of Charles III and his Hall of Mirrors and the Throne Room. As well as the historical significance of the Royal Palace of Madrid, the site also has stunning gardens in which to wander around. On Wednesdays, there is a changing of the guard ceremony.
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http://www.historvius.com/planner/trip-4fcd5cc656be1/ Top Ten Spain - Day 01 Name: Belchite Address: Belchite, Aragon, Spain Alternative Name: - Contact Details: contact tourist office Entry Information: Belchite old town is accessible at all reasonable hours. Site Direction: By Car: From Zaragoza, follow the A68/N232 then turn right onto the A222, signposted Belchite and follow the road into the town. The ruins are on the outskirts of the modern town. Description Belchite, near Zaragoza, contains the ruins of a town destroyed in the 1937 Battle of Belchite, during the Spanish Civil War. Left untouched as a symbol of the conflict, Belchite gives a rare glimpse of the intensity and destruction wrought by this terrible war. Today a modern town of the same name sits alongside the ruins and visitors are relatively free to explore the old town s remains. Among the most prominent structures within Belchite is the eerie Church of San Martin, which seems more like a medieval ruin than a victim of 20th century conflict. Other areas within the old town include the remains of the main street, the Church of San Juan and the Convent of San Agustín. Certain areas of Belchite are restricted due to unstable structures and care is advised when visiting the site. Notes
http://www.historvius.com/planner/trip-4fcd5cc656be1/ Top Ten Spain - Day 01 Name: La Sagrada Familia Address: La Sagrada Familia, Carrer Mallorca 401, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Alternative Name: Church of the Holy Family Contact Details: +34 932 073 031 Entry Information: La Sagrada Família is open 9am-6pm (to 8pm April-September). Closes 2pm 25-26 December and 1-6 January. Final tickets sold 15 min. before closing. General entry costs 12, tickets for retired visitors, students and under 18s cost 10. Under 10s and handicapped visitors go free. Further concessions available. Site Direction: La Sagrada Família is located in the Eixample Quarter of Barcelona. Nearest subway station is Sagrada Familia (L2 and L5 lines). Joanic subway station (line L4) is a 15 minute walk from the site. Barcelona has an international airport and a railway station. Description La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family) is an iconic yet incomplete church in Barcelona. Works on La Sagrada Familia were begun in 1882 under the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, then continued under Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi did not live to see the church completed and, since his death in 1926, and with the exception of the period of the Spanish Civil War, La Sagrada Familia has been under construction. Nevertheless, despite its incomplete state, La Sagrada Familia s incredible architecture draws in hordes of tourists each year. From its beautiful facades to its looming towers and inherent symbolism, La Sagrada Familia is an iconic part of Barcelona. There is entry into the church to see Gaudi s crypt as well as to go to the top of the stunning Nativity and Passion Facades (access to the lifts costs extra). Guided tours are available for a fee.
Together with seven other pieces of Gaudi s work, La Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Notes
http://www.historvius.com/planner/trip-4fcd5cc656be1/ Top Ten Spain - Day 01 Name: Merida Roman Theatre Address: Calle José Ramón Mélida, 06800 Mérida Alternative Name: Teatro Romano de Merida Contact Details: +34 924312530 Entry Information: Open daily 9:30am-2pm and 5pm-7:30pm (winter 4pm-6:30pm). Closed 1 Jan, 24, 25 and 31 Dec. Entry 8 (combined with amphitheatre). Under 8s enter free. Site Direction: Merida is located 60km east of Badajoz and the theatre is quite central within the city. Marida railway station is located on Calle de Cardero and is about 1.5km from the Roman Theatre. Description The Merida Roman Theatre or Teatro Romano is one of the most impressive of the ruins of this former colony of the Roman Empire. Together, these ruins, which include Guadiana Bridge and Merida Amphitheatre, form the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida. Constructed in approximately 15-16 BC and able to accommodate almost 6,000 people, the Merida Roman Theatre would have been one of many public buildings erected in the area. At the time, Merida was known as Augusta Emerita and was the capital of Lusitania. Now partially reconstructed, the Merida Roman Theatre is extremely well preserved, particularly its lower levels. The semi-circular walls are intact and the back wall of the stage or frons scenae with its double-tiered columns has been beautifully restored. Notes
http://www.historvius.com/planner/trip-4fcd5cc656be1/ Top Ten Spain - Day 01 Name: Alcazar of Segovia Address: Plaza de la Reina Victoria Eugenia, 40003 Segovia Alternative Name: Alcazar de Segovia Contact Details: +34 921 460 759 Entry Information: Site Direction: Open daily, 10am-6pm (to 7pm April-Sept). Entry costs 4 full, 3 reduced. Description The Alcazar of Segovia (Alcazar de Segovia) is an imposing medieval fortress which embodies much of what one would consider to be the ideal vision of a fairytale castle, complete with picturesque turrets and cliff-top location. It is thought that a fort has existed on this site since Roman times, but the first known written mention of the Alcazar of Segovia is found in twelfth century Christian records. Having started life as an Arab fort, in the thirteenth century, the Alcazar of Segovia made the transition from military stronghold to palatial residence and was slowly renovated in a gothic style, with further changes made in the sixteenth century. The interior of the Alcazar of Segovia doesn t disappoint and visitors can tour this magnificent site as well as climbing to its towers for great views of the town. Notes
http://www.historvius.com/planner/trip-4fcd5cc656be1/ Top Ten Spain - Day 01 Name: Palma Cathedral Address: Plaza de Almoina, 07001 Palma, Majorca, Spain Alternative Name: La Seu Contact Details: +34 971 723 130 Entry Information: Palma Cathedral is open weekdays 10am-5:30pm (to 3:15pm Nov-Mar and to 2:15 pm Saturdays). Entry costs 3.50 for adults, free for under 10s. Site Direction: Palma Cathedral is located in Palma, Majorca Description Palma Cathedral, known as La Seu or the Cathedral of the Sea, is a vast and imposing Gothic cathedral in Majorca s capital. Construction of Palma Cathedral is said to have been ordered by King Jaume I in 1230, just a year after this Christian crusader conquered the island. Built atop a mosque, the process of erecting Palma Cathedral lasted around three hundred years, stretching from 1301 to the seventeenth century. In fact, renovations and even additions are still undertaken from time to time. Parts of Palma Cathedral were designed by famous twentieth century architect Antoni Gaudi, but his contributions are limited as he stopped his involvement due to a dispute with the contractor. Inside, there is a small museum housing earlier parts of Palma Cathedral and the cathedral s Trinity Chapel houses the tombs of Kings Jaume II and III. Audio guides are available for a fee. Notes
http://www.historvius.com/planner/trip-4fcd5cc656be1/ Top Ten Spain - Day 01 Name: Baelo Claudia Address: Baelo Claudia, near Tarifa. Ensenada de Bolonia s/n, 11380 Tarifa (Cá Alternative Name: Balo Claudia Contact Details: +34 956 10 67 96 / 97 Entry Information: Baelo Claudia is open from Tuesday to Saturday 9am-6pm (8pm Jun-Sep). Sundays and public holidays 9am-2pm. Closed Mondays. Also closed Jan 1 and 6, Good Friday, May 1, Oct 12 and Dec 8, 24 and 25. Entry costs 1.50 or free to EU citizens. Site Direction: Take the E5/N340 to the junction with the CA8202 (signposted Bolonia). Follow this road through the village of El Lentiscal continue over the crossroads to the fork junction at the end of the road and take the road to the right (signposted Baelo Claudia). The turning to the visitors centre is 500m further up on the left hand side. Description The Roman city of Baelo Claudia in Andalusia is one of the best surviving examples of an ancient Roman town in Spain. Sitting directly on the coast, Baelo Claudia is a beautiful site to visit, with both stunning views and ancient ruins. The remains of Baelo Claudia, near the modern town of Tarifa, have been beautifully restored and preserved because of the good general conservation of the ruins, their easy interpretation and the beauty of their surroundings. Although founded in the second century BC, Baelo Claudia began to expand as an important trading post in the first century BC and first century AD, particularly under the rule of the Roman Emperor Claudius. Baelo Claudia was expanded to include significant municipal areas, including a forum, theatre and market. It was particularly known for its trade in the Roman sauce called garum. In latter centuries, it is believed that Baelo Claudia suffered due to an earthquake and the onset of raiders and pirates in the area and the site was abandoned
towards the end of the Western Roman Empire period, probably in the 6th century. Today, Baelo Claudia is a place where visitors can observe the fundamental characteristics of a classical Roman city and there are many aspects to the site that can still be viewed. These include the forum and the temples of the Capitolium as well as temples of eastern character such as that which is dedicated to Isis. Beyond these elements are a Basilica, administrative buildings or the municipal archive, market, theatre, baths, city walls & gates, streets, aqueducts and cisterns. There are numerous Roman cities whose remains can still be seen in greater or lesser measure in the Andalusian territory and a visit to Baelo Claudia is certain to inspire further exploration. Baelo Claudia has a visitor s centre on site and has many facilities to make a trip there convenient for tourists, including a car park next door. Notes
http://www.historvius.com/planner/trip-4fcd5cc656be1/ Top Ten Spain - Day 01 Name: El Escorial Address: Calle Juan de Borbón y Battemberg, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial Alternative Name: Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial Contact Details: +34 918905905 Entry Information: Open daily except Mondays, 10am-5pm (to 6pm April-Sept). Closed 1 and 6 Jan, 1 and 31 May, 10 Aug, 12 Sept, 1 Nov and 24-25 and 31 December. 8 for adults, 4 for ages 5-16, students, disabled and retired persons. Site Direction: Located approx 60km northwest of Madrid. Train line C-8 (Madrid-El Escorial) from Atocha Station, Madrid or buses 661 and 664 from La Moncloa. Description El Escorial, the full name of which is The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial) is an impressive sixteenth century royal complex built under the orders of King Philip II of Spain. Intended to mark the celebration of Spain s victory over the French in the Battle of St Quentin, El Escorial was constructed between 1563 and 1567. It would go on to serve as the king s palace and the seat of his empire. The architecture of El Escorial is one of its most significant elements. The style, now known as Herrerian, was developed by El Escorial s architect Juan de Herrera and was considered an innovation at the time. Many of Spain s monarchs are buried within the grand granite walls of El Escorial, including several members of the Habsburg Dynasty as well as the Bourbons. Today, El Escorialis a UNESCO World Heritage site and is open to the public, who can tour its various buildings, courtyards, vast library, towers and halls as well as viewing its around 1,600 paintings. Notes
http://www.historvius.com/planner/trip-4fcd5cc656be1/ Top Ten Spain - Day 01 Name: Monasterio de Piedra Address: Monasterio de Piedra, Nuévalos, Zaragoza, Aragón. Alternative Name: Monastery of Stone Contact Details: +34 902 19 60 52 Entry Information: Park: Apr-Oct: 9am to 8pm, Nov-Mar: 9am to 6pm Adults: 13.50, children (aged 4 to 12) and OAPs, 10. Monastery: Mar-Oct: 10am to 1:15pm and 3pm to 7pm, Nov to Feb: 11:15am to 1:15pm and 3:15pm a 5:15pm Adults, children and OAPs: 8 Euros. Site Direction: From the dual carriageway Autovía A-2 (direction Madrid to Barcelona), take exit Km. 204 (marked Alhama de Aragón - Monasterio de Piedra). On the same dual carriageway, in the opposite direction (Barcelona to Madrid), take exit Km. 231 (marked Nuévalos - Monasterio de Piedra). From Zaragoza bus station, there is one daily bus to the monastery which departs at 9am. The return bus to Zaragoza leaves the monastery at 5pm. See below link. Description Nestled amid acres of dramatic parkland crisscrossed by waterfalls, streams and idyllic natural pools, Monasterio de Piedra is a picturesque medieval monastery in the municipality of Nuévalos, in the province of Zaragoza in Northeast Spain. The Monastery, whose name translates literally as 'The Stone Monastery', was founded in 1194 when Alfonso II, the king of Aragon, donated a castle and the land surrounding it to thirteen Catholic monks from the Order of the Cistercians. The castle dated back to the period of the Muslim Caliphate of Córdoba (929-1031) and had been a Muslim defensive stronghold during the battles against the Christian kingdoms of Northern Spain. Monasterio de Piedra was constructed over 23 years using materials from the castle and the wall which enclosed it. At the time, the conquest of the region by Catholic forces in 1120 was a relatively recent memory, and the Catholic kingdoms' campaign to re-conquer Spain ('la reconquista') was still underway. In this context, the vast building project served as a symbolic means of proclaiming, consolidating and reinforcing Catholic identity and Catholicism's public presence. The monastery was built during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic art, and is characterised by an austere and simple architectural style. It does, however,
The monastery was built during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic art, and is characterised by an austere and simple architectural style. It does, however, contain various baroque elements, which were added in the eighteenth century. Cistercian monks lived in the Monasterio de Piedra between 1195 and 1835. They had to abandon the building on three occasions: in 1808 during the War of Independence; during the Liberal Triennium of 1820-23; and finally in 1835, when the building was expropriated by the Liberal Government as part of its disentailment policy (which involved the suppression of Spain's male religious orders and the expropriation and sale of their property). During the latter two periods, many of the monastery's statues and images were decapitated in anticlerical attacks. Today, Monasterio de Piedra is privately owned and open to the public. Within the building's walls, visitors will also find a wine museum and an exhibition about the history of chocolate. The Monastery grounds also contain a fish farming centre, a luxury hotel, a spa and several restaurants. Contributed by Maria Thomas Notes