Spanish Cities Honoured as UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Spain has a group of 13 cities with the prestigious designation into UNESCO World Heritage. The amazing sites within this group make it clear why Spain has received this high honour.
Alcalá de Henares
Rich with history, this town is known for its monumental churches, walls that have stood for 4 centuries, and a distinghuised university. It is also home to Parador de Alcalá de Henares, a hotel complex within the 17th -century buildingthat used to be the Santo Tomás Dominican Convent and School.
Ãvila
The capital of Castile and Leon has a breathtaking backdrop of Renaissance palaces and is the birthplace of Teresa of Ãvila (aka Saint Teresa of Jesus). Many of the buildings you encounter here are, in some way, linked to the life and times of Saint Teresa.
Cáceres
Medieval cobblestone streets, castles, and towers make up the Renaissance feel of this capital in the province of the same name. 12th-century walls and cathedrals offer a view into history, and what you can’t see outside, you can see inside one of the museums housing religious art and cultural artifacts.
Cordoba
Cordoba (English: Cordova) is a city in Andalusia. Over the course of a thousand years, it has taken in the cultures of its many settlers, creating a diversity all its own. The cathedral is a common site for tourists, as it appears to be kept in the past within the courtyards and surrounded by the alleys of old.
Cuenca
This historic site overlooks the canyons of the Cuenca Mountains. With its cathedral, and cobblestone streets, it’s a step into history. The area comes alive during its festivals that are a tribute to historical music and art.
Ibiza
Inspired by Phoenician culture, Ibiza is known for its monuments like the necropolis, the site of God’s Finger, and “The Egg” sculpted in honour of Christopher Columbus.
Mérida
This city attributes its design to Roman history. This is most obvious at the Temple of Diana and the amphitheatre.
Salamanca
Salamanca sits in the heart of Spain and its design carefully incorporates young and old. The University of Salamanca is the oldest, and most revered university in Spain.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Many of the Canary Islands churches can be found in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Its religous heritage is ecelebrated during Holy Week, around Easter. The city is also noted for its respected universities.
Santiago de Compostela
Originated in the Shrine of Saint James the Great, this city was the destination for the Catholic Pilgrimage during the 9th century. The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela stands today as a monument to the city’s history.
Segovia
The old quarter of Segovia still hosts a Roman aqueduct and many churches designed in the Roman style. The gothic Segovia Cathedral is the third largest in Spain, and the Walls of Segovia, while damaged, still run along the old section of the city.
Tarragona
The ancient Roman ruins of the forum and amphitheatre, along with the cathedral, churches, and convents are only a part of what make this city famous. The Monastery of Poblet  still stands, well preserved, and the coastline brings in tourists from all around the world to bask on the beaches.
Toledo
The “City of Three Cultures” was home to Christians, Jews, and Arabs, who cohabited peacefully together for centuries. Because of this, the city has varying styles amongst the mosques, synagogues, and churches.
