Spanish Culture

Spain: Overview

A country of a population as large as 45 million, consists of a number of communities and cultural groups, such as the Basque, Galician and many small communities. The very prominent sensibilities of Spain are derived from a mix of Roman, Celtic and Iberian cultures.

Located in the Southwestern Europe, Spain outlines the Mediterranean Sea, the North Atlantic Ocean, the Bay of Biscay and a mountain range in Southwest France called the Pyrenees Mountains.

Capital: Madrid

Language: Espaniol (Spanish)

The Spanish National Anthem is called the “Royal March” which is sung every year on October 12, on the National Day of Spain- The Fiesta Nacional de España, also known as Columbus Day!

Spain owns one of the most popular and fine football teams such as, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Though, the list is much longer!

The majority of Spanish population follows Catholicism and a slight percentage also follows Islamism!

Prominent Spanish Traditions and Rituals

Well, Spain is very much in the spotlight, for its Bullfights! This is indeed a prevalent tradition in spain, especially practiced in Pamplona, during The fiestas of San Fermin, from 6th July to the 14th July every year!

_{Bullfighting in Spain - Source: newsweek.com}

Coming to the food, Spain can’t leave you not fascinated by what they call the “Tapas” - these are small portions of food, served in most bars of Spain. Also, a lot of bars and breweries, serve them for free, this is something that has a huge contribution to the tourist load of Spain, how cool is that!

The bullfights fought, the food eaten, now what? - Dance!

Flamenco:

One of the most popular Dance forms of the world, belongs to none other than Spain!

_{Flamenco - Source: ctpost.com}

Well, this dance form is not a typical dance form with Signature steps, it's rather musical and stems from the Southern part of Spain, precisely by the communities of Andalusia.

It is characterized by Hand-Clapping or Palmas.

It is very particular of the attire that the dancers should have, when they practice Flamenco.

Monuments in Spain

• Casita del Infante:

Located in San Lorenzo de El escorial, this monument built in 1771 is actually the house of King Charles III's son - Infante Gabriel of Spain!

_{Casita del infante - Source: minube.com}

He and his wife Infanta Mariana Vitória of Portugal, died from smallpox in this very Casita.

• Torre del Oro:

Located in the South Spanish city of Seville, the Torre del Oro came into being with the efforts of Almohad Caliphate, in an attempt to capture Seville.

_{Torre del Oro - Source: flickr.com}

Built in 1220, around the thirteenth century, this monument's premises were made into a prison, roughly near the 14th and 15th centuries.

'Torre del Oro', stands for 'Tower of Gold'.

"It barred the way to the Arenal district with a section of wall joining it to the Tower of Silver, a part of the city walls that defended the Alcazar."

-Wikipedia

• Aqueduct of Segovia:

The dates of its building haven't been able to get traced, but going by the consensus, it probably dates back to the 1st Century AD.

The building is based on the principles of De Architectura by Vitruvius.

_{Aqueduct of Segovia - Source: bluffton.edu}

It is the bridge for water from many cities and districts of Spain including La Acebeda, Duero Valley, Clunia (located in Rome - 2 Kms away from Spain), and Segovia of course!

A portion of it was reconstructed in the 15th century during the reign of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

• Columbus Monument:

Located in Barcelona, the Columbus Monument depicts Christopher Columbus for his premier peregrination to America and was completed in 1888. The main statue was made by Rafael Atché. The pedestal bears many other figures of persons related to Columbus.

Other monuments:

• Justice Gate:

Situated in Alhambra- Granada, the Gate of Justice is also known as the Gate of the Esplanade. (Read more)

• Cave of Altamira

• Abbey of Montserrat

• Valley of the fallen

Know more about the Monuments of Spain: here

Spanish Cuisine

The Spanish cuisine has largely been inspired by the European territories. The cuisine has Basque, Mediterranean and Aragonese facets as well. Of course, like any other place, the kind of food consumed by people here is determined by topographical factors. The northern territories were usually linked with battles as well as agriculture, while the eastern ones were linked with tasks like hawking and fishing. Their staples include nuts and acorns, while they also derived mushrooms from the Greeks and the Romans.

Spain as a country is the greatest factory of Olive Oil - one of the most extensive ingredients of the cuisine!

Turrón, Fideua, Tortilla, Pisto, Patatas bravas and Paella are some of the likeable dishes of Spain.

Citrus fruits, rice, olives, almonds and spinach are some commonly used ingredients used by the Spanish people. Americans have also influenced the Spanish, in terms of the spices and other smaller group veggies and fruits.

Serving of Tapas, is one of the most Spanish things you'd come across. You'll know more in the later sections of this article!

Know more about Spanish dishes: here

The Gazpacho soup has been derived from Andalusia.

Puff Pastry, Fried Fish, Iberico Ham, Oxtail, Tudanca veal, Rice Pudding, Croquetas, Frangollo, cocido montañés, and Flamenquin are some of the typical dishes of this cuisine.

Spanish Festivals

Some of the very popular Festivals of Spain include:

• La tomatina: It is a tomato fight, held every year on the last Wednesday of the month of August, in Valencia, in the Eastern Spain!

  • The tomatoes are the less expensive variety brought from Extremadura.

  • It is the world's largest fight with food!

  • Around 40,000 Kilograms of Tomatoes are spent in the fight.

• Las Fallas: This festival is dedicated to Saint Joseph is celebrated in the month of March. This one too is held in Valencia! It is known for its fireworks. The festivities start from 15th and last till the 19th of March! But practically La Fallas atmosphere sets in with the very beginning of the month!

  • The final evening if the festival is characterized by burning of sculptures.

  • Visit the Ninot Museum to get a deeper insight!

• Feria de Sevilla: Starting from the 26th of April, the Feria de Abril or the Feria de Sevilla, goes on till the 2nd of May, every year. It is held in Los Remedios. The entrance is decorated with a Portada

• Moros y cristianos: Held in Southern Valencia, this festival is symbolic of the Reconquista Period, known for the battles between the Muslims and Christians. The participating people are called "Filaes" (singular: Filá)! It had been once said that this festival is celebrated on different days across different villages of Spain.

• Festa major de Gràcia: It is celebrated in Barcelona, Spain in the month of August (from 15th to 21st). It represents an old independent town called Gracia. It mainly follows the Mediterranean sensibilities. It is considered to be a very welcoming time of the year, for Barcelonian peeps!

Espaniôl

(Spanish Language)

Around three-fourths of the Spanish Dictionary is derived from Latin and Greek!

It has been declared a global language and the world's second most-spoken native language, first being the Mandarin. It is traced from the thirteenth century

People of Spain:

Commonly called "Spaniards", there is a huge classification of regionalisms among Spanish people.

Spanish people are quite subtle in their judgements and covert in their behaviours.

Tipping at shops, restaurants and other public centres is only preferred when the provided services prove to be outstanding.

Casually tipping beyond the standard values is not very common in Spain!

Famous Personalities from Spain

• Pablo Picasso (1881-1973): Artist

He is one of the most popular personalities from Spain, known for Paintings, Stage layouts, Writing and Print Making and Playwriting.

• Penelope Cruz: Actress

She has appeared in films like Vanilla Sky, The Girl of Your Dreams, Murder on the Orient Express and Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

Penelope Cruz has performed in a range of genres such as those of Rom-com, Crime Drama, Thriller and Mystery.

• Enrique Iglesias: Musician and Actor

  He has been ruling the Billboard for a very long time and also been titled the King of Latin Pop. Enrique had also signed with Sony Music!

He studied Business from the University of Miami.

More Personalities from Spain:

• Franco Francisco: Spanish General and Politician

• Víctor Manuel: Singer

Spanish Museums

• Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares

• Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

• Teatre-Museu Dalí

• Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

Restaurants to visit in Spain:

Following are some of the most appreciated restaurants located in Spain, that you should not miss trying, when in Spain!

• Azurmendi (Larrabetzu)

• Martín Berasategui (San Sebastián)

• Quique Dacosta (Dénia)

• El Bulli

• Akelaŕe (San Sebastián)

• Nerua (Bilbao)

• Sant Pau

Know more on Spanish cuisine- here

Clothing and Fashion

Well, the world famous brands Zara and Mango, come from Spain!

Fashion is something Spain is best known for. The trending of the colour Black stems from Spain.

Spain has blessed the world with it's remarkable Designers in the field of fashion!

"The cultures of Spain are widespread. From music, dance, food, travelling, fashion and what not. Spain lets you soak it all!

This is just a speck of what Spain beholds."

Political Background

The Spanish constitution was formed in 1978 and the country follows Parliamentary Monarchy. The People's Party (PP) and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) have been the prevailing political bodies.

Other Parties include CiU, EAJ-PNV and ERC.

(Read More)

Spain is a democratic nation. It follows Sovereignty. The Spanish Parliament is called 'Cortes Generales' meaning General Court that supervises Budget, Government Actions as well as Legislation.

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