Spain from A to Z

Art & culture The cultural heritage of Spain, one of the richest and most extensive in the world, is the culmination of a number of factors that have coalesced over thousands of years of Spanish history. National Prado Museum, Madrid

The geographic location of the country on the Iberian Peninsula, halfway between Africa and Europe, played an important role in creating this rich heritage. The first settlers were the Celts and Iberians, and from this time we have the first testimonies written about the Iberian Peninsula. It is said that Hispania (as the Romans called the Peninsula) is a word of Semitic origin deriving from Hispalis (Seville). From 1100 BC until the middle of the third century BC, the

Phoenicians and Greeks had trade and cultural contact with the Mediterranean civilizations, but toward the end of this period, both civilizations were repressed by the Carthaginians and the Romans. Roman presence in Hispania lasted for seven centuries, during which the most important characteristics of the peninsula were shaped in relation to other European populations. In addition to the inherited territorial administration of Rome, there were institutions

such as the concept of family, religion, law, Latin as the official language, and many more. MUSEUMS Historical heritage is nourished by a mosaic of different civilizations, cultures and traditions. The great currents of culture and art have manifested themselves in Spain in a highly unique way, made evident by the numerous and outstanding museums and exhibitions which have gained world-wide fame.