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Spanish Architecture

By Laura Ellis

Architecture is an element of Spanish culture which often goes unnoticed, especially in contrast to the high profile fiestas and delicious tapas. Go to any Spanish city and you will be wowed by the grandeur of their Plaza Mayor, impressive both architecturally and also as regards its centrality for the locals within their day to day lives, both as a meeting place and recognisable landmark. Or instead the huge number of churches and cathedrals that decorate each city, each unique and special, encouraging worship to all those around. Whilst furthermore other Spanish religious buildings play an important role, for example, the large convents that can often be found in city centres, indicating their centrality to everyday life, and the significance of faith to the Spanish people.

The grandeur and variety of churches and cathedrals to be found in Spain is extensive, an impressive example being the ‘Sagrada Familia’ in Barcelona, a modern day cathedral still in construction, but which has become Spain’s most popular visitor attraction. Other examples of Spanish religious architecture include Salamanca’s double cathedral, in which the new and the old are adjacent, both boasting unique elements but serving to make an impressive centrepiece to this city with their duality and differences, and the hidden nature of the ‘vieja’ cathedral presents it in more special light. Otherwise, in any Spanish town, one can note the plethora of churches placed centrally to encourage worship making faith a continual and constant feature in the pueblos. Religious buildings otherwise play a large role, as large convents often dominate city centres with their impressive architecture, for example the ‘Convento de San Esteban’ in Salamanca towers above the area with striking engravings indicating the amount of time and dedication that this type of construction requires.

The Plaza Mayor of each city has a special place in the heart of every local inhabitant, and for each, their own is clearly the superior. Architecturally each has their own assets, for example the red brick of Madrid and the manipulated perspective of Salamanca serve to highlight the different cities, and it varies for all what has centre stage within, whether it be an open point or an ornate statue, but it is clear to see that each Plaza Mayor serves as an important meeting place for the city people. Each has its own illustrious history, and it is said that if you look hard enough, in Madrid for example, one can still see the blood from bull fights from years gone by.  The Plaza Mayor in Barcelona, however, is known its tall trees, highlighting its proximity to the sea and a more relaxed outlook with this busy city. The shops and cafes that surround each Spanish Plaza Mayor under the cloistered arches are often of a traditional sort, and cafes are popular as they allow people to bask in the sunset in such beautiful places, admiring the architecture whilst sampling local and gourmet meals.

Architecturally one must also look at the Spanish royal palaces in order to see the impressive buildings created over the last six hundred years. Primarily the official royal residence of the ‘Palacio de Oriente’. Found at the end of the city’s ‘Calle Mayor’ this building is easily recognisable as an impressive landmark, although interestingly the royal family now choose to live in the more modest Spanish royal residence known as ‘Palacio de la Zarzuela’, leaving the original for state occasions, and of course as a renowned tourist attraction. Despite this, many people still see this as a significant area of the city, especially due to its proximity to the impressive ‘Calle Mayor’.

Finally, when considering the literal construction of these building, the brickwork itself is an impressive element, especially with the region of Castile and Leon. Salamanca itself is known as the ‘Ciudad Dorada’ or city of gold because of the colour of the sandstone used in building as well as the effect of the sun, emitting a glow during the midday sun.



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