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English5 wonders of Spanish architecture
- Alcázar of Seville: a former fortified Arab palace that became a royal residence, still used by the royal family until recently. It features the multifoil arches also found in the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, and the Courtyard of the Maidens, whose upper floor was renovated in the 16th century by Italian workshops at the initiative of Charles V.
- Sagrada Família: the building rises to 172 metres and features a fourth-order magic square. The main structure is due to be completed in 2026, and the decoration in 2032.
- Royal Palace of Madrid: used for administrative purposes, it is only officially home to the royal family. Almost twice the size of the Palace of Versailles, it has 3,418 rooms, including the Throne Room, the Hall of Mirrors, the Hall of Columns and the Porcelain Room. A self-guided visit costs 12 euros per person.
- Alcázar of Segovia: built in the 12th century on a rocky outcrop above several rivers, its outline looks like the bow of a ship. It has secret passages linked to the river and to other buildings in Segovia.
- Key point: the Ciutat de les Ciències in Valencia completes this selection of five landmarks. Barely twenty years old, it is the newest of the five.
The 28th most populous country in the world, with the 14th largest GDP, Spain is above all a country steeped in history. Iberians, Celtiberians, Romans, Visigoths and the famous Charles V: many peoples and figures have shaped the land of Cervantes.
In this article we look at five wonders of Spanish architecture. Whether you want to buy a house in Seville or an apartment in Barcelona, you will be able to admire these architectural wonders.
Alcázar of Seville: rustic elegance
A former fortified Arab palace, the Alcázar is a unique royal residence. The most sumptuous example of Spanish Muslim architecture, the palace was used by the Spanish royal family until recently. This huge fortified palace is an architectural gem of Spain.
You can see its graceful multifoil arches, also found in the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.
Wandering through the palace, you come across the Courtyard of the Maidens, whose upper floor was renovated in the 16th century by Italian workshops at the initiative of Charles V.
Thanks to its unusual architecture, its historical role and simply its class and elegance, our team chose the Alcázar of Seville as one of the five wonders of Spain. Be warned: the competition is particularly tough and may surprise you...
Sagrada Familia: colossal scale
Let's be clear: it is simply impossible to talk about Spain's architectural wonders without a stop at the Sagrada Familia.
Sublime, overwhelming, poetic: that is how this 172-metre building appears, meticulous even in its immensity.
On the structure, you will notice a fourth-order magic square.
It shows the dizzying level of detail of the building. We could also present the statues one by one and explain their meanings, but we would run out of ink.
As for the sheer size of the place, “words fail the emotions” you may feel. The decoration of the Sagrada Familia is not expected until 2032, and the main structure is due to be finished in 2026.
Royal Palace of Madrid: a national treasure
First of all, it should be said that the royal palace is used for administrative purposes and is only officially home to the Spanish royal family.
That said, it deserves nothing but praise. Almost twice the size of the Palace of Versailles, the first thing you notice is the sheer number of rooms: 3,418, including a Throne Room, a Hall of Mirrors, a Hall of Columns, a Halberdiers' Room and even a Porcelain Room!
You can of course visit the palace: allow €12 per person for a self-guided visit of the official residence of the King of Spain. So if you are passing through Madrid, a detour to the palace is a must!
Alcázar of Segovia: a view from above
We stay near Madrid with the Alcázar of Segovia. Built on a rocky outcrop, the castle has an unusual design that recalls the bow of a ship.
Overlooking several rivers, the alcázar was built in the 12th century. From the top, you look out over a peaceful Spanish plain and can imagine yourself as a soldier watching the enemy approach.
And there is more: the castle is full of secret passages leading to the river and even to other buildings in Segovia!
City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia
And how could we talk about Spanish architecture without mentioning Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences? We are such fans that we have even devoted a whole article to it!
So we invite you to read about the youngest wonder in this article, barely 20 years old!
Would you like to buy a house or an apartment in Spain? Feel free to contact the English-speaking teams at Alveo Search to assess the feasibility of your purchase.
Find out more: City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia
Thomas Rouer is the founder of Alveo Search and the CEO of the Alveo group. Based in Spain for almost ten years, he develops property services designed for the specific needs of foreign buyers.
His expertise covers every aspect of buying property in Spain: understanding the market, searching for and selecting properties, negotiation, financing, paperwork, tax and securing the purchase process.
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