Where the Mediterranean sun shines brightly, flamenco dancers perform passionately, and the exquisite craftsmanship of Antoni Gaudí enchants. While the sun beats down on you, Spain is buzzing with the lively vitality of the Spaniards. So, why not explore the countless charms of Spain and its wonderfully colorful landscapes with the Sungkyun Times (SKT)?
¡Hola España!
The Kingdom of Spain, Reino de España in Spanish, is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Europe and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in the South. From the azure Mediterranean coastline to arid deserts and the southern region of Andalucia, where orange trees line the roads, every panorama possesses inimitable charm. Spain is also renowned for its gastronomy, with various delicious foods and beverages, including paella, tapas, churros, sangria, and Rioja wine. Meanwhile, in the backdrop of Spain, a mesmerizing cultural uniqueness is imbued through the main religion of Spain, Catholicism. With over 90% of the population adhering to Roman Catholicism, ancient Catholic churches are ubiquitous in Spain. Thanks to its mild climate, diverse cuisine, and special cultural heritage, Spain stands as one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. In fact, ABC News reported that about 37.5 million international tourists visited Spain in the first half of 2023.
Vistas Out of Ordinary
-Aesthetic Harmony of the Palaces
The Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex located in the city of Granada, was built by the Nasrid dynasty, the last Arab dynasty in Spain. Its name, the Alhambra, derives from its reddish hue due to its iron-rich red soil. As Kingos venture into the magnificent palace, their eyes will immediately be drawn to large cypress trees, which provide respite for visitors seeking comfort from the baking heat of Granada. While walking into the palace, there is the Garden of Generalife, which is a royal summer house built in the 13th century. It is widely regarded as a meticulous replication of the paradise described in the Islamic Quran. In particular, the Arabesque pattern, a symbol of blessing with its elaborate and sinuous carving, epitomizes the spiritual devotion of Islamic customs. Meanwhile, the Nasrid Palaces are the highlight of architectural beauty within the Alhambra Palace, having served as offices and living quarters of the king. Offering a whole view of the spectacular Granada, the Alhambra Palace is a wonderland where tourists can experience the clever combination of European land and Islamic culture. The SKT suggests Kingos reserve the Alhambra General ticket to enter both the Alhambra Palace and Nasrid Palaces and never forget to bring a passport.
-Activities Out of the Ordinary
1. Dramatic Showdown: Man versus Bull
The intense and dynamic bullfighting also epitomizes the enthusiastic culture of Spain. This physical contest involves a brave bullfighter attempting to stimulate a bull with a red cloth and stand against it. There are two ways to end a bullfight: the bullfighter stabs the bull in the spine with a long sword or the bullfighter on horseback kills the bull with a long harpoon. American novelist Ernest Hemingway once found himself captivated by bullfights in the Plaza de Toros de Ronda, which stands as the oldest bullring in existence nestled within the town of Ronda. Hemingway's fascination with bullfighting culminated in his literary work, Death in the Afternoon, where he poetically likened the death of a bull to the fading of an afternoon since bullfights traditionally take place in the late afternoon. Bullfighting, which elevates the death of a cattle into a form of art, is regarded as a distinctive practice.
2. Passion from the Heart
Spain, also known as the“Land of Passion,” has many exciting activities for tourists. Among them, flamenco, a form of dance that stirs the depths of the enthusiastic soul, traces its origins to Andalucia. Today, audiences can enjoy flamenco while eating food in a theatre called tablao. Be careful when the guitar sound begins because it marks the start of the flamenco. After flamenco begins, there are three basic elements that Kingos must focus on: Baile (dancing), Toque (musical performance), and Cante (singing), which are accompanied by unique clapping sounds and enthusiastic reactions from other performers. The traje de flamenca, a pleated skirt in brilliant colors such as scarlet red, especially for female dancers, gives them a high degree of individuality along with their fast and furious movements. The intricate rhythms, phenomenal guitar techniques, and the soulful singing make flamenco complete.
Trace Back to the Genius Gaudí
-Park Merged into Nature
Park Güell in Barcelona is an architectural fantasy filled with whimsical and naturalistic works by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. The park is named after Eusebi Güell, who was a reliable financial backer of Gaudí. The SKT recommends that Kingos purchase tickets online months in advance as the park attracts many tourists. Upon reaching the entrance, with the tiled colorful roofs of charming buildings resembling gingerbread houses, visitors will be transported into the fantastic realm. When Kingos enter the door, the fountain in the shape of a salamander called El Drac will greet them while boasting a magnificent mosaic technique with broken tile pieces called trencadís. The colorful tiles are eye-catching, and the asymmetrical arrangement of the different shapes, sizes, and colors of the tiles makes for a perfect design. When walking up the stairs above the fountain, there is a grand plaza with the vast cityscape of Barcelona and refreshing views of the Mediterranean Sea. Kingos can rest while sitting on the serpentine benches in the plaza, adorned with showy tiles and crafted with a keen understanding of the human body. Moreover, the Wave Cave is a hot spot inside the park, where the curved walls resemble the rolling of raging waves, characterized by their angularity. Creative and stunning landscapes give the impression of bringing nature into the park, and Kingos will unconsciously find their eyes wandering over the fantastic Park Güell here and there.
-The Greatest Cethedral Ever
The Sagrada Familia stands as another testament to the genius of Antoni Gaudí. As it is revered as one of Spain's most sought-after tourist destinations, booking the tickets online is essential; be aware that short sleeves and shorts are not allowed when entering the place. Hidden within this vast cathedral lies the backstory of Gaudí. At the age of 31, Gaudí was entrusted with the construction of the cathedral since the first chief architect resigned. With the ambitious goal of constructing the world's tallest cathedral, he introduced the catenary arch. Inside a cathedral, the connection between the columns and the ceiling resembles the catenary arch, evoking a sense of tranquility. As the columns are designed to resemble the trunk and branches of a tree in a forest, Kingos might feel like walking around the magical forest at every step. Moreover, the different colors of light filtering through the beautiful stained glass allow visitors to step out of their everyday lives and get into another world. Outside the cathedral, Gaudí carved the contents of the Bible into the cathedral, giving the effect of reading the whole Bible just by walking around it. Upon observing the entirety of the cathedral, one can begin to understand the rationale behind the exalted reputation of Gaudi in the field of architecture.
Your stomach will be filled with delicious food, your eyes with incredible architecture and natural vistas, your ears with the cheers of the bullfights and the bouncing beats of flamenco, your nose with the fresh, sweet smell of the air of Spain. The SKT guarantees that Spain will gift Kingos an unforgettable memory while fulfilling every one of your senses.