Spain is one of the most beautiful countries in the entire world. Culture, tradition, architecture, landscapes, gastronomy… it all adds up to the fact that a Holiday in Spain be a truly unforgettable event. If you are seduced by the idea of touring the mother country, of discovering its corners and its best secrets, keep reading! In the following lines we will present you some of the most fascinating stories and curious facts about Spain. Those who often don’t even know the locals.
And it is that getting lost in the Gran Vía in capital madrid, can take you on a journey of history and gastronomic enjoyment. Touring Barcelona and taking a photo at sunset in Park Guell, may be one of your best traveling postcards. And not to mention the Alcazar of Seville or the beaches of Ibiza and Menorca. In every Spanish corner there are endless stories, myths and little-known legends, which nourish the experience of any curious person.. Next, we tell you the best ones. Let us begin!
8 curious facts about Spain that you should know
1. Places that are Heritage
Yes. Surely you already know that in Spain you find beauty in every place you turn to. But this is supported by a highly prestigious recognition. And it is that the mother country is the third country in the world with the largest number of places that have been declared as World Heritage Sites according to Unesco. In total there are 15 cities, 15 national parks and 48 biosphere reserves. Some of them are the Cathedral and the historic center of Burgos, the Monastery and the Site of El Escorial in Madrid, the Old City of Santiago de Compostela or the works of art by Antonio Gaudí in Barcelona. Spain is only preceded in this list by Italy and China.
2. The oldest restaurant in the world
The paella, the seafood, the asopado, the tapas, the cider, the wine… the options that grace the Spanish table are simply endless. But as a curious fact we tell you that the tradition of cooking in this country is so old, that they are even proud to be the place where the first restaurant in the world was created, the oldest.
It is the extraordinary Casa Botín restaurant in Madrid. If you are encouraged to try its food and breathe the history that lives within its walls, you can find it on Calle Cuchilleros and in the heart of Madrid de los Austrias. And as an extra curiosity in this regard, we tell you that even Fracisco de Goya passed through there, but not as a diner but as a dishwasher. Of course, that was before he was accepted into the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
3. The place of the only European desert
Another curious fact about Spain that not everyone knows is that this country is home to the only desert that exists in the entire European continent. It is the imposing desert of Tabernas, in Almería. There are 280 hectares in which you can feel that you are in the middle of the Sahara.
4. Territories on all continents
Although this is no longer the case, it is well known that Spain was one of the great conquerors of territories. So much so that his work of conquest was not only limited to America, with the movement started by Christopher Columbus. In fact, the Kingdom of Spain came to have colonies in the five continentsreaching its maximum power of domain during the reign of Felipe II.
5. Wines and vineyards
We all know that the Spanish love wine, but not only drink it but also produce it. In fact, this is the country with the most vineyards in the entire world. There are a total of 969 thousand hectares of harvested vineyards. Amazing!
6. The oldest lighthouse
Another curious fact that few know is that the oldest lighthouse in the world is located in Spain, which is still in operation. It is the famous Tower of Hercules, in Galicia. It is located on a hill on the peninsula of the city of La Coruña and is a very interesting place to visit. In what year was it inaugurated? In the first century AD!
7. Leaders in olive oil production
If you are someone who loves to dress your salad with olive oil, you probably have the Spanish to thank. And it is that Nearly half of the world production of olive oil is generated in the mother country. And also, the best in the whole world.
8. The strangest party in the world
And then we will tell you one of the most interesting curious facts about Spain. The country is rich in festivals and traditions that feed its culture. But none as rare and symbolic as the Romería de Santa Marta. This festivity is celebrated every July 29 in the region of Santa Marta de Ribarteme, in Galicia. What does it consist of? Well, all that inhabitant who has received a grace or favor, generally healing in health, from the Patroness, accompany the image in its holy procession, butYotwo in coffins and on the shoulders of their family and friends! Dark! It is not like this?
These are just some of the most fascinating facts and stories about Spain. Now all you have to do is discover it with your own eyes.