Spain’s 7 medieval wonders
Spain’s medieval historical and artistic wealth has become a first-class heritage that takes visitors back in time to that different and exciting world. Castles, immense churches, and untouched villages comprise the 7 medieval wonders that tell the stories of fantastic mysteries, decisive battles, and born and dead kingdoms.
Spanish Medieval masterpieces
1. The Alhambra
The beauty of Islamic Spain cannot be comprehended without the majestic citadel, palace, and fortress of the Alhambra. One can almost see the Nasrid sultans surrounded by civil servants and the most exquisite refinements of that moment. The majestic Alhambra and Generalife would keep evolving throughout the following centuries, but they experienced their golden days in the 14th century.
The Generalife, a residence for Muslim monarchs, stands out for its rural villa appearance. The epic essence of the complex and its elegant gardens had to be linked to a culture that turned gardens and acequias into a true form of art. The conquest of Granada by Christians put an end to Spain’s Middle Ages.
2. Burgos Cathedral
Burgos’ Santa María la Mayor Cathedral belongs on every list of Spain’s best cathedrals. It has to, because it is an exceptional example of Gothic architecture and a perfect compendium of that art. It was built in the 13th century, when the Gothic movement flourished in France, a style that has survived in good condition with the help of some interventions.
The Burgos Cathedral is home to extraordinary artistic treasures from that time. As it usually happened, its construction took many centuries to finish. Its magnificent Plateresque lantern tower and the Isabelline Gothic Condestable Chapel are extremely outstanding. But so are the paintings, such as the Santa Ana Chapel retable and the Sagrada Familia table.
3. Wall of Ávila
The mere name of Ávila evokes its walls, which remain just as impressive as when they were built. It is one of the best-preserved complexes in Europe, with its 2,500 battlements pointing at the sky. Walking by the wall is a must-experience, splattered with monumental doors such as the Puerta del Alcázar, the cathedral’s lantern tower, and some outstanding towers.
Its history dates back to the late 11th century, when King Alfonso VI of León tried to repopulate wide areas that became no man’s lands. But some areas prove a previous presence: the Romans. This wall provides the best panoramic view of a city that is a monument itself.
4. Poblet Monastery
Founded in 1150, the Santa María de Poblet Royal Monastery is Spain’s best example of Cistercian abbeys. Its location enjoyed the best conditions, with abundant vegetation and the Prades Mountains in the background. The donations of many royal and nobility members turned this complex into one of the most excellent masterpieces of the era.
With the creation of the royal and noble pantheon in 1340, Poblet’s splendour grows even more. The most renowned Catalan families chose it as their permanent residence. The sepulchres were intricately decorated. Personalities such as Juan II of Aragon lay near the important community of monks that still pray and work there.
5. Vall de Boí
Vall de Boí’s villages resemble the perfect setting for knights, clerics, and princesses, surrounded by the greenest mountains and the most majestic mountains. The local churches are the most fantastic contribution—true Romanesque rural gems that look as good as the first day.
Beyond the charming Lombard Romanesque and the slate roofs, these Pyrenean churches have preserved some of the best examples of Romanesque paintings in Europe. For instance, Sant Climent de Taüll’s Christ Pantocrator has become a symbol of the medieval vision of the world with its mysterious majesty.
6. Loarre Castle
Castles are a must on every list of medieval wonders, and there are many wonderful castles in Spain. Loarre Castle may be the most impressive and characteristic. Every land on the Hoya de Huesca, from the Pyrenees to the Ebro River, could be watched from its heights.
This wonderful castle hides surprises such as the vaulted church and the excellent acoustics of the Santa Quiteria Crypt. It might sit in Aragón, but it was actually built by order of the king of Pamplona in the 12th century, and it once was a monastery. In more recent times, it has been the setting for movies and TV series that confirm its unmistakable charm.
7. Calatañazor
Some villages are admirable medieval monuments themselves, and a great number of them await you in Soria. Calatañazor is the best example and has witnessed incredible events. It is said that ‘Almanzor lost its tambour in Calatañazor’ because of a battle that took place in this place in 1002 and involved the Andalusi military leader Almanzor.
The streets are still filled with a medieval essence and are home to a Romanesque hermitage and an old castle that watches over the area. Calatañazor’s general view is incredibly picture-worthy, surrounded by a wall and vegetation.
You can also read this article in Spanish here.
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