Spain's Diverse History

By Mary Elisabeth Pitz

The 17 autonomous regions from Andalusia to the Basque area offer wide ranging experiences from Green Spain to Sea and Beach Spain. As the third largest country in Europe after Russia and France, Spain covers most of the Iberian Peninsula at the south-eastern tip of Europe. Spain also has two major island groups, the Balearic and the Canary Islands. Only eight miles separate Spain from Morocco, which has significantly influenced Spain's history, culture, and architecture.

Museum News
The Spanish treasure their art and culture. Recent openings of new and restored museums are capturing headlines. In the province of Girona, the Museum of Art Naif is in El Moli de la Toree, a 19th-century Catalan manor house in El Far de Emporda. This museum houses the world's second most valuable collection of Art Naif. The Dali Theater Museum is also in Figueres and is one of the most visited in all of Spain. After years of renovations, two of Spain's famous museums have re-opened. Madrid's Palacio de Crisal, the famous sculpture gardens, re-opened with an exhibition of conceptual sculpture by Ilya Kabakov.

Prehistoric Art of the Mediterranean Coast
More than 800 caves from Catalunya to Murcia with art from early European life, it is best to fly into Barcelona, rent a car then drive over several days to the various cave sites, like Lerida and Castellon. Alcala de Henares, 20 minutes east of Madrid, this small city is the birth place of Cervantes.

Historic Sites Worth Visiting
Basilica of San Julian and Camara Santa de San Salvador, Visgothic churches in the outskirts are recommended, located in the province of Asturias in the northwestern area of Spain close to the Bay of Biscay.