Spain and its cultural peculiarities

Spain attracts travelers with its incredible versatility: the beautiful country on the Iberian Peninsula is popular with visitors from all over the world for a reason, because it has a rich culture, breathtaking art and impressive architecture to offer in addition to its excellent cuisine. Although Spain's many facets make it impossible to draw up a definitive list of its cultural peculiarities, we have compiled below a small selection of various aspects for which the country is known the world over. You will certainly have heard of some of them already, but you may find one or two pieces of information that will surprise you!

Siesta

The Spaniards are among the most relaxed people in the world. So almost everyone has heard of the famous "siesta". This is a (not so) short midday nap, which many Spaniards do not miss under any circumstances. Every afternoon between 13.00 and 17.00 o'clock almost all stores, authorities and offices are closed for this reason.

There is always a place: time for a siesta

La Tomatina

Spain is a country of many festivals. One of the most original and funny is La Tomatina. This is a festival celebrated every year during the last week of August in Bunol, Valencia. As part of La Tomatina, a one-hour tomato fight is held on the streets of the city. The tomatoes used for the feast are grown specifically for this purpose. They are of inferior quality and therefore not suitable for consumption. Although there are rules that participants must follow when playing, fun is guaranteed in any case. La Tomatina is therefore definitely a unique experience!

Soccer

Spain is rightly known as a soccer-crazy nation: The game with the round leather is treated almost like a religion here. "La Liga" is the national league of the Spaniards, "La Copa Del Rey" the national cup tournament with a high importance for the Spaniards. The two biggest and undoubtedly most famous clubs in the country are Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. But the country also stands proverbially on its head during national team games.

The whole family in red and yellow – only soccer can do that

Calat Alhambra

Spanish architecture combines two beautiful artistic styles – Gothic and Islamic. An outstanding example of this unique mixture is the Alhambra, an ancient fortress in the Andalusian city of Granada. It was built by the Moorish king Badis ben Habus at the time when the Moors ruled Spain. Originally built in 889 as a small fortress. In the year 1333 numerous extensions were made. This is how the fortress was transformed into a palace for the king. The Alhambra is one of the most interesting architectural structures in the country and is visited by thousands of travelers from all over the world every year.

Corrida de Toros (Bullfight)

Another sport for which Spain is famous and infamous is bullfighting. The so-called Corrida de Toros has always been part of Spanish culture. Here three matadors fight against a bull – to the death. If the matador manages to kill the bull in a skillful manner, he is allowed to take home the animal's ear as a trophy for this victory. In some parts of Spain, bullfighting is still practiced as a weekly sport and attracts not only many locals but also regular interested visitors.

Not for the faint of heart: the sublime elegance of bullfighting

Spanish wine

It will surprise many that Spain has more vineyards than any other country with almost three million hectares. It is also the third largest wine producer in the world and produces some of the most famous types of wine – from the deep red Rioja to the light and sparkling Cava. Unique is also the sherry or Jerez, which is produced only around the city of the same name in southern Spain.

Paella

Spanish cuisine is one of the most diverse culinary traditions in the world. The regional peculiarities within Spain contribute to this richness of facets. Each region has something unique to offer connoisseurs. The famous paella is just one of the many delicious dishes. Originating in the Valencia region, this rice dish with beans, saffron, olives, spices, herbs and vegetables, as well as meat or seafood, is often referred to as the country's national dish due to its popularity. It is now offered in restaurants all over Spain.

Typical Paella

Pablo Picasso

Considered one of the world's most influential artists of the 20. In the early twentieth century, Picasso devoted himself to painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics and stage design. He was a co-founder of the Cubist movement and co-inventor of collage. His full name at birth was Pablo Diego Jose Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno CrispIn Crispiniano MarIa de los Remedios de la SantIsima Trinidad Ruiz Picasso – in honor of saints or relatives. Two of his most famous paintings are "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" – the most famous example of his Cubist style – and "Guernica," which depicts the destruction of the northern Spanish city of the same name by Italian and German troops during the Spanish Civil War.

La Sagrada Familia

Anyone who knows even a little bit about art knows about the famous Antoni GaudI. The Catalan architect has designed a large number of buildings in Barcelona. He is famous for incorporating color and idiosyncrasies into his art. Although he designed many monumental buildings, his main work remains La Sagrada Familia – a Roman Catholic cathedral in Barcelona. Construction began in 1882 and it remains unfinished to this day. Despite its unfinished nature, the church is already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its skillful combination of Gothic and curvaceous Art Nouveau is majestic in all its glory.

The most beautiful building site in the world: La Sagrada Familia

Flamenco

Art in all its forms is an integral part of Spain – but a special manifestation is dance. The world famous Spanish flamenco is a true spectacle when you experience it live. Flamenco has its roots in Andalusia and is considered a very difficult dance form. It consists of four main components, all of which dancers must skillfully combine to create an elegant performance. Above all, dancing on your heels is a challenge. In 2010, UNESCO declared flamenco a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.