Spain is a country with a rich and diverse cultural heritage, inherited from the various civilizations that have lived here. Even though it is difficult to state what would be the 7 wonders of Spain, in this blog post I tell you my opinion as a Spaniard who has travelled all over the country.

1. Alhambra, Granada

I can’t start with anything other than the Alhambra in Granada. This monumental complex show us how grand was Nasrid kingdom, a Muslim state that covered 30 000 km², and that was founded in 1238, remaining until 1942.

The Alhambra was a citadel, a fortress, and a palace. In its most luxurious dependences lived Nasrid sultans. Some parts of the Alhambra still very well conserved, so we can admire the amazing and beautiful Nasrid art. Furthermore, the location of Alhambra is flawless, with the Sierra Nevada at its back, and overlooking the city of Granada.

By the way, there is a lot more in Granada apart from the city! Check out our blog post about the Granada Alpujarra.

2. Roman aqueduct, Segovia

This is one of the oldest marvels of Spain, as it was built in the 2nd century AC. This was 17 km long and brought water to the city of Segovia. Nowadays, there are still some parts conserved, being the most outstanding the one in the city centre: it’s 28 m high in the highest part, and it’s formed by 167 arches and 20 400 granite stones.

One of the most amazing facts is that all these granite stones are joined together without any mortar. They remain standing just with a balance of forces.

3. Córdoba Mosque

Another wonder of Spain from the Muslim times is the Mosque of Córdoba. This was built in the 8th century by the order of Abd al-Rahman II, the first emir of al-Ándalus. The mosque was expanded over the following centuries, covering an area of 23 400 square metres.

However, from the 12th century, after the so-called Reconquest, the mosque was transformed into a cathedral, but not removing all elements from the Muslim period, but adding the Christian elements. This gave the present result, with a unique combination of art pieces and styles.

4. Medieval Walls of Ávila

The Medieval Walls of Ávila have a perimeter of around 2.5 km, and they are conserved practically as in its origins, in the 12th to 15th centuries. A great thing is that, if you visit Ávila, you can walk over the wall! It is a great experience, and, from it, you have beautiful views of the city. You can find here the timetable and rates of the Wall of Ávila.

By the way, this isn’t the oldest wall you can walk over. Another amazing heritage is the Roman wall of Lugo, in Galicia.

5. Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

In Spain, there are a lot of impressive and important cathedrals, so it is difficult to decide which one to add to the list with the 7 wonders of Spain. However, I’ve decided that Santiago de Compostela Cathedral should be here. Firstly, because of historical and international relevance: every year, around half million of people from all over the world arrive here after walking the Way of Saint James or Camino de Santiago, as here it is the sepulchre of St. James the Apostle.

Also, its art and architecture is amazing. It covers 7000 square meters, being one of the biggest cathedrals in Spain. It has three beautiful facades and a chevet.

We go back to the Roman times to talk about the Roman theatre of Mérida, built between the years 16 and 15 BC. Even though more than two thousand years has passed, the theatre conserves pretty good, so it’s a great experience visiting it, or, even better, see a play or a concert in it. A special time to visit the city is during the Mérida International Classical Theatre Festival.

7. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

I wasn’t sure to add the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona in this list of ancient cultural wonders of Spain, because, as maybe you already know, it is still being built. But, as it was initiated over a century ago, I’ve decided it should be here too.

Most part of the building was designed by Antoni Gaudí, the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism. Despite its large size, this temple is not a cathedral, but a basilica. Both its exterior and interior are astonishing, and well worth a visit. If you are going to visit Barcelona, you can check our 3-day itinerary.

By the way, all these 7 cultural wonders of Spain (alone or in a group) are declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. I hope you like this blog post, and that now you are coming forward to visit all these places!