The Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands lie just off the eastern Spanish mainland. They are made up of four main islands – Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Each island has its own distinct personality and charm.
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Cordoba and the Mezquita
The city of Cordoba was founded by the Romans. Realising the strategic importance of Cordoba as the highest navigable point of the Guadalquivir River, the Romans built a majestic bridge (El Puente Romano) across the river which still exists today. Cordoba was once the capital of the Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus and is home to the Mezquita - one of the largest and most impressive mosques in the whole of Islam. When the city was conquered by the Christians in 1236, the new rulers of the city were so impressed by its magnificence that they left it standing and built their cathedral in the heart of its rows of arches and columns. This resulted in the truly amazing building which is left today. As well as this unique mosque-cathedral, Cordoba's treasures include the Alcazar, constructed by the Christians in 1328; the Calahorra Fort, built by the Arabs to guard the Roman Bridge and the ancient Jewish Synagogue, now a museum. The medieval quarter - La Judería - was once the home of the Jewish community and is a fascinating labyrinth of twisting, narrow streets, shady flower-filled courtyards and pretty squares.
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The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao opened its doors to the public in October 1997. It is one of the most important centres of modern and contemporary art in the world. The outstanding design of the building by Frank O. Gehry makes the Guggenheim in Bilbao one of the most significant constructions of the 20th century. It is a huge futuristic structure and a 10-foot dog made from flowering plants by the American artist Jeff Koons guards the entrance.
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The Alhambra, Granada
Granada is set against the mountain backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. The city is most famous for being the ancient Moorish capital of Spain and home to La Alhambra, one of the greatest undertakings of Islamic art and architecture. Nothing can prepare you for a day wandering around the magnificent palace, patios and gardens. The Alcazaba is the Alhambra's Muslim fortress dating from the 11th century and offers great views of the city from the tops of its towers. The Casa Real is the showpiece of the Alhambra, and is renowned for the intricacy of its stonework. Finally, there is the Generalife, the summer palace of the sultans, set in the peaceful Alhambra gardens.
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Sagrada Família, (Gaudí’s unfinished Cathedral), Barcelona
Work began on this rather ordinary neo-Gothic church in 1882. Two years later, the architect resigned and Gaudí secured the commission to complete it. The Sagrada Família became his favourite project; he even secluded himself on the site and lived in the workshop until his death in 1926. The church was left incomplete upon his death. At first sight, the building is reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral but Gaudi has so transformed the style by his sidewalls, vaults and piers that the spirit of Gothic architecture has found new parameters and contexts. Since 1979 work has been underway to finish the church as true to Gaudí's conception as possible.
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