Spain was once a great naval power, with a vast armada of ships, used to defeat enemies, carry out extensive regional and global trade, and sail around the world. Many European kingdoms and nations trembled at the firepower of the legendary Spanish Fleet. In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Spain and England were […]
Throughout history, Spain has drawn the attention of travellers from far and wide, many of whom made the country home and brought with them influences from their own homelands. By the early 13th century, Spain had become a melting pot of cultures and religious beliefs, which the Christian Crusades set out to resolve with the […]
Spain’s rich culture and history owe much to the many nationalities who have fought for control of her land. Traces of these passing civilizations can be found all over the country, and some of the most interesting of these belong to the Roman era. The Romans first arrived in Spain in 218BC, although they were […]
Unless you have studied naval history in great detail, it is probable that you have never heard of Isaac Peral, a Spanish inventor, who came up with the designs for what some call the first u-boat. Isaac Peral y Caballero was born on 1 June 1851 in Cartegena, a large and densely populated city on […]
Ask any Spaniard what they think of Franco, and they are sure to have an opinion. The Generalissimo held Spain under conservative dictatorship between 1939 and 1975, changing the face of the nation forever. Francisco Franco was born on 4 December 1892 in Ferrol. His family had a strong naval history, and it was understood […]
Christopher Columbus was an explorer and sailor, who played a vital role in discovering the New World. Here take a brief look at his life and achievements. Christopher Columbus was born in the Liguria region of Italy in 1451. Very few records exist from this time, if indeed, they existed in the first place, so […]
Millions of years ago, long before history was written in books, Spain was a very different place from the country we know and love today. Imagine for a moment that you have stepped back in time, to a society where even what we would consider to be basic essentials had to be worked hard for., […]
La Alhambra in Granada is a palace that was built by the Moors in the 14th century. It’s a great tourist attraction and one of the most visited palaces in all of Spain. Its beautiful design – both inside and out – is a great example of Islamic architecture. Plus, visitors can tour its lush […]
In order to appreciate much of Spain’s great architecture, art and literature, it’s necessary to look back to a time when the Moors occupied Spain. The name Moors – or Arabs – refers to populations of Black Africans from Northern Africa who invaded Spain and the entire Iberian Peninsula from 711 to around 1492. The […]
The history of Spain is complex and intriguing. Its colorful history, filled with invasions, conquests and a melting pot of civilizations, has blended together to create a mixed culture with a rich heritage and timeless traditions.
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