Monuments to visit Spain

In front of the port chosen by Christopher Columbus to disembark on his return from the Americas, stands the monument in his honor, erected by Gaietà Buïgas. Eight bronze lions stand guard at the foot of the Corinthian-style column. It is 51 meters high and was inaugurated on the occasion of the 1888 Universal Exhibition. Take time to observe the bas-reliefs: they illustrate the key moments of the explorer's life. The figures of the Catholic Monarchs and other key figures in the discovery of the New World envelop the pedestal. Carved in the lower part of the column, you will notice the arms of Catalonia, which frame caravels. At the top of the monument, the figure of Columbus, a seven-meter high sculpture by Rafael Atché, emerges from the crown of the County of Barcelona. The navigator holds a map in his left hand and points to the sea with the other. Against all odds, while one would be tempted to think that he is pointing to America, it is Italy, his native land, and more particularly Genoa, that is shown. An elevator allows access to the viewpoint. Don't worry: the ascent, which took four minutes with the old hydraulic system, only takes a few seconds! Once up there, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire city, with the silhouettes of the Sagrada Familia, the Agbar Tower and the Montjuïc Castle to the south. If possible, avoid rush hour: it is not always easy to get close to the windows!

The great playwright Miguel de Cervantes was born on the 3rd of April 1547 in this house on the historic Calle Mayor. The visit retraces the author's childhood and the family's daily life between the 16th and 18th centuries. We can see a sewing room, the kitchen, the dining room, the boudoir, a surgeon's office (a profession practised by Cervantes' father), as well as lounges and bedrooms. The house also has an important bibliographic collection and numerous pieces of furniture and ceramics from the period. An interesting visit.

The famous and prolific writer, author of comedies, lived there from 1610 to his death in 1635.

Apart from some buildings putting various architectural styles from the late th century, such as the hermitage of the virgin of Carmen or the church of El Salvador, three small buildings represent the strength of the modernist movement in Teruel, mainly expressed by the architect Pablo Monguió. He is the author between 1910 and 1912 of the traditionally named buildings Casa Ferran, La… and El Torico, all of whom are located in the area of Plaza del Torico. They are closed to the visit, but above all their facade is worth a look.

Surrounding the entire city, they were intended to protect it from both land and sea attacks. They were partially destroyed at the beginning of the century. The famous Puertas de Tierra are still visible: these towers were built between 1639 and the mid-18th century. Vauban, who created the defensive system of Cádiz, reinforced it with several forts and bastions, some of which can still be seen (the castles of San Sebastián and Santa Catalina, the latter of which can be visited). Even today, parks and gardens enhance the stroll along the seafront with the Parque del Genovés or the Alameda Apodaca.

The Puerta de Bisagra Antiguais the most important of the nine entrances to the wall that Toledo has preserved. And it is also the vestige of the feat of Alfonso VI, who broke through the old Arab wall in 1085 to enter the city and take it back from the Muslims. The gate was built in 1550 to receive King Charles V. It has a military look with its imperial crest, placed above it, representing eagles between large round towers.

In this small French garden (across the river, near Avenida Blasco Ibañez), a collection of bonsai protected by an alarm system. Ideal to isolate yourself from the city life and recharge!

This th century palace has been transferred to the Albacín since the placeta de las Descalzas (in the city centre), welcomes the municipal archives.