The declaration of World Heritage Cities by UNESCO constitutes an honor and international recognition or else they tell the 15 Spanish cities that have this title thanks to their beauty, which also entails a great responsibility in order to guarantee the protection and conservation of all these values for future generations.
Thus, we wanted to make a review of those 15 citiesthose 15 enclaves of our geography full of history and beauty, where it is worth getting lost at least once in your life.
Alcala de Henares (Madrid)
Following an alphabetical order, we begin with Alcalá de Henares, located a stone’s throw from Madrid, which symbolizes, like no other, the city that emerges between Language, Literature and Heritage and where, without a doubt, its University among a unique set of superb Renaissance and Baroque buildings
Avila
If we talk about Ávila, we talk about its Wall, its greatest sign of identity. A medieval construction of more than two and a half kilometers, dotted with towers, doors and gates. Of course, we cannot miss other points such as Convent of Santa Teresa, the Royal Monastery of Santo Tomás or your Cathedral.
Baeza (Jaen)
Baeza was declared a World Heritage Site in 2003 and is located in the center of the province of Jaén, a short distance from the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park. It is located territorially in the region of the hillendowing it with impressive landscape qualities, as well as urban details such as the cathedral, the Jabalquinto Palace, the San Felipe Neri seminary and the Plaza del Pópulo.
Caceres
Approach the history of the city of Caceres is to know the History of Spain on a small scale thanks to this great Monumental City which is accessed through a Roman gate or through a Baroque style, where we find a Jewish quarter as soon as we leave an Almohad tower or admire a Mudejar façade next to a Renaissance palace. Come on, it’s normal that it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1986, a unique place to visit and where to eat really well.
Cordova
In 1984 it was declared the Mosque-Cathedral A World Heritage Site by UNESCO and ten years later it was extended to the entire historic center of the city. which later expanded to medina azahara and the Patio Festival. Undoubtedly, a great place to get lost and while we are here, take the opportunity to get to know its province and towns such as Iznajar.
Basin
The historic city of Cuenca was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996 thanks to monuments such as its mythical Hanging houses, the Main Square and many other points that make this city a beautiful whole.
Ibiza
The city of Ibiza is a walled enclosure from the 16th century, which surrounds the old city with the Cathedral and the Castle-Almudayna at the top,… and that special charm that made UNESCO declare it a World Heritage Site in 1999. A wonderful, almost magical place to get lost and not only in summer.
Merida (Badajoz)
Emerita Augusta, the current Mérida, is a wonderful city, one of the most important cities in Hispania during the Roman Empire and where the imprint of civilization is fully evident in each street, in each corner that you cross… and where they stand out from the Roman theatreto the Aqueduct of Miracles or the temple of Diana. All this led Mérida to be declared a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Salamanca
The beauty Salamanca with its University, its cathedral, La Casa Lis, the garden of Calixto or Melibea or, of course, its wonderful Plaza Mayor where it is worth sitting down to observe and enjoy every detail.
San Cristobal de la Laguna (Tenerife)
We return to the islands, specifically to San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the first example of an unfortified city that since December 2, 1999 has been considered a World Heritage Site where we find pieces as important as its Cathedral and the Convent of the Incarnation.
Santiago de Compostela
World pilgrimage center thanks to the Camino de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela is a place where you can breathe a special magic. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985 and where we cannot miss Plaza del Obradoiro where its cathedral stands.
Segovia
If we talk about Segovia we talk about the aqueduct, the Alcázar and its cathedral, among many other things, a monumental complex that leaves no visitor indifferent and that makes it one of the most visited cities in Spain (where we can eat a wonderful suckling pig ) and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
Tarragona
Tarragona was also one of the most important cities in Hispania during the Roman empire and where we find pieces as significant as circus on the shores of the Mediterranean, a large archeological tour, a Wall… which led it to be declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Toledo
Everywhere you look in Toledo you see a monument that is the result of the coexistence and tolerance of the Three Cultures: Jewish, Christian and Muslim. That yes, the cathedral takes the cake although it is worth every corner.
Ubeda
And finally, but only for a question of the alphabet, we have Úbeda, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 2003, where we have to highlight great Renaissance works such as the Sacred Chapel of the Saviorthe Palace of Dean Ortega (current Parador), the Chain Palace (current town hall) and the Hospital of Santiago.
Photos | Unplash, @usal, @turismolalaguna, @turismo_aytocuenca, @uahes, @elencantodeloslugares