The timeline of Spanish history tells the story of a land that has been sought after by many civilizations: the Carthaginians and Romans fought over it, the Arabs conquered it and the Catholic monarchs would recover Spain and convert it into the most powerful empire in the world upon the discovery of America. The Spanish Empire reached its peak under King Felipe II, who unified the Spanish territory and lands: from the Philippines to the Americas as well as Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy and some of present day Germany.

From this moment forward, Spain’s history reached a period of economic and political decadence which was accompanied by both foreign and civil wars. The 19th century would mark an important part of Spanish history with the loss of important Spanish territories and the collapse of the Spanish Empire. The independence achieved by Spanish territories in the Americas, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines significantly shaped the world and modern Spanish history.

Browse through this Spanish history timeline of links to learn more about the history of Spain and the role that Spain has played in the “theatre” of world history. The more you understand Spain’s history and culture, the faster you will adapt to life in Spain.

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Castilian Spanish is the official national language of Spain. However, there are other co-official languages spoken in Spain´s many culturally diverse regions that form an important part of the Spanish cultural patrimony. The Basque language (Euskera), Galician and Catalan are just some examples of the regional languages that exist in Spain that contribute to the rich cultural diversity that the country celebrates.

Although Castilian Spanish is the official language of Spain, it is not the only language used in Spain. The different regions of Spain also have regional dialects and co-official languages that are an important part of the Spanish cultural patrimony. Galician, Catalan and Basque are just some examples of the regional languages that exist in Spain and contribute to the rich cultural diversity that the country enjoys.

During the dictatorship of Franco many of these languages in Spain were repressed. However with the arrival of democracy these regional languages in Spain have been able to flourish again. Today, the regional languages are legitimate and acceptable means of communication accepted by the Spanish community.

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There is nothing more traditional Spanish than jamón serrano. This country ham is a national treasure enjoyed in Spain by all walks of life. You find jamones wherever you look - hanging in stores, bars, and even private homes.

The Spanish 'tapa' tradition is as important for conversation and company as it is for enjoying delicious Spanish food. Every Spaniard has his favorite tapa bar where people go regularly to meet their friends or business acquaintances. Tapas can be found in even the smallest bar in a tiny village.

The word tapa, meaning cover or lid, is thought to have originally referred to the complimentary plate of appetizers that many bars would put on top of one's wine glass.

Spanish tapas can vary from simple to complex and include cheese, fish, eggs, vegetable dishes, dips, canapés, and savoury pastries. A reasonable quantity of tapas can make an excellent meal.

Spanish Recipes

Today, the international scientific community has validated through unanimous recognition the benefits of eating plentiful amounts of Mediterranean foods, of which traditional Spanish food like olive oil, legumes, cereals (rice pasta and bread); fruit, vegetables and nuts; cheese honey, milk and fish are good examples.

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Spanish festivals and holidays are famous around the world. Spain is known for its great quality of life and strong traditions which translates into spectacular Spanish fiestas and celebrations that fill the country with a zest for life that visitors can experience in every corner of Spain throughout the year.

Every town, city and region has its own traditional holidays or Spanish fiestas in honor of a patron saint, founder or important historical event. During these Spanish festivals traditional Spanish food is enjoyed and outsiders are welcomed to join in all of the fiesta events and holiday celebrations.

Some of the most famous Spanish festivals and Spanish fiestas include: the Falles fiesta and Tomatina festival in Valencia, the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Carnival celebrations in Cadiz and Tenerife and Holy Week festivities throughout the country.

You can plan your trip around famous Spanish fiestas by using our cultural calendar which lists the important Spanish holidays and celebrations that take place throughout the year!

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Did you know that physical contact during a conversation with a Spaniard is a typical way of communicating in Spain that is not considered an invasion of personal space? These ways of communicating may surprise you when you first arrive to Spain, but you will quickly adapt to these Spanish customs and traditions and soon you won't even notice them.

earning the Spanish language is more than just grammar and vocabulary. It is also about getting to know the culture of Spain, their people and ways of life.  Spanish traditions, customs, celebrations and other cultural activities are unique to the Spanish society. Additionally, Spain is known for its hospitality and relaxed way of life; and this is what students and visitors love about Spain and the Spanish culture.

Come with us and learn about the Spanish culture and the customs and traditions in Spain

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Other animals in Spain are still seriously endangered with only a handful of animals remaining in the wild.  Among the most threatened species in Spain are the Iberian lynxes and Cantabrian brown bears. . There are currently recuperation projects underway in specialized centers dedicated to the conservation of Spanish wildlife to restore the numbers of these endangered species in Spain.  They have already had success raising these protected species in captivity. Spain remembers and pays tribute to one of the most important Spanish wildlife activists: Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, who sadly died in a plane crash while filming an episode of his famous Spanish television show “Man and Earth” on location in Alaska. Discover Spanish wildlife with us.

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Spain’s passion for soccer (football, or fútbol) is known worldwide, as are the country’s top teams such as Real Madrid and F.C. Barcelona, not to mention the national team which in 2010 won nothing less than the sport’s most celebrated competition, the FIFA World Cup.  

But Spanish sporting glory also shines in arenas far beyond the soccer pitch. Several players on Spain’s national basketball team such as Pau Gasol and José Calderón are also NBA superstars. The team itself won the 2006 World Basketball Championships and secured silver medals in the 2008 and 2012 olympics. Rafa Nadal is a living tennis legend and Fernando Alonso is a race car champion.

Take a look below at our selection of Spanish athletes, teams and sports and prepare to get caught up in the excitement of Spanish sports.

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In this section you can learn about some of the best sites in Spain; whether it be a city, monument or location in the great outdoors. Spain's privileged geographical location on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe contributes to its hugely diverse landscapes.

Additionally, throughout Spain's history many different cultures and civilizations have conquered one another and in some cases peacefully coexisted. All of them have left their mark on Spain and thus contributed to the unique characteristics and interesting sites and monuments in the country today.

Spanish coastal cities with beautiful beaches or Spanish towns tucked away in the mountainside always have unique places nearby to be discovered by the curious traveler. You can always chat with the locals and get swept away in the many stories and legends that surround the city's history and monuments.

Large cathedrals and landscapes with castles, golden sand beaches, green forests and deserts; discover the different dynamics of all the unique and exciting places to visit in Spain.

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The Spanish artists whose works fill our pages are famous throughout the world.  Spanish painters like Velázquez, Goya, Picasso, Dalí and Miró for their canvases; Spanish architects such as Calatrava and Gaudí for their famous building designs; and Julio González, Chirino and Chillida for their sculptures… All these Spanish artists are known in artistic circles around the world. They are and remain the international ambassadors of Spanish art culture. These artists' works are exhibited both in Spanish museums and in international exhibits.

Discover these Spanish artists and their works and allow yourself to fall in love with Spanish art.

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Philip II searched until he found the perfect location, El Escorial, located just 45 kilometers (28 miles) northwest of Madrid in the center of Spain. It was here that the famous San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery would be built in honor of Saint Lawrence Day of August 15, 1557, the day in which King Philip won his first battle in St. Quentin, France.

The project was charged to various different architects including Juan Bautista de Toledo and Francesco Paciotto. It was Juan de Herrera, however, who was the most well known and would leave his distinctive mark on the Monastery of El Escorial. He designed a sober façade without any decoration and slate roofs, a style that came to be known by the architect's name and would be later copied by other architects as a variation to Spanish Renaissance art. The El Escorial Monastery building consisted of a series of different wings surrounding interior patios around a basilica church. Here, the El Escorial Monastery building combines Castilian, Italian and Flemish stylistic elements and, by strange coincidence, the building takes the shape of grill over which Saint Lawrence was killed. Another interesting fact about the Saint Lawrence El Escorial Monastery is that until recent history it was the building with the most windows in all of Spain.

The Monastery of El Escorial was built on the concept of imitating the temple of King Solomon, a figure with whom Philip II identified with. With this idea in mind, statues of King David and King Solomon were placed in the entrance of the building.

Just like the great King represented in the Bible, King Philip also sought knowledge. With this in mind, he had one of the largest libraries of the time built within the El Escorial which included great collections of books, scientific instruments, maps and art work by some of the best artists of the time, a collection that would be further expanded by his successors. Today, visitors to the El Escorial Library can view masterpieces by the likes of Hyeronimus Bosch, Rogier van der Weyden, Titian, Diego Velazquez and Anton van Dyck. The impressive library of El Escorial also boasts an impressive collection of fresco (mural type) paintings in the Hall of Battles.

Although the whole complex is often referred to as the El Escorial Monastery, in reality it is much more than a Monastery. On one hand, there is the El Escorial Palace where the King resided with a bedroom that opened to the interior of the church so that he could assist mass even when his sickness (gout) prevented him.

The majestic El Escorial Church is preceded by the Court of the Kings. Underneath the Court of the Kings in the El Escorial complex is the crypt that holds the Royal Pantheon. The Royal Pantheon is the location of all the tombs of the kings, queens and princes of Spain over the last 500 years with some exceptions. When a member of the Spanish Royal Family dies, his or her body is moved to a secret room called the “pudridero” where the body decomposes for 30 years before it is moved to one of the small urns in the crypt.

The El Escorial complex is completed by a monastery of Augustinian monks, a private university run by the monks, and a dormitory.

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