
Spanish culture has many benefits for foreign students who every year decide to come to Spain to study. History, literature, gastronomy are some of the aspects that attract students to our country.
Spain has played a very important role in the history of mankind and that mark is still visible today. Cities such as Madrid, Seville, Granada or Mérida were protagonists of great moments in history and have a palpable cultural and historical richness in almost every corner.
Seville is home to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, which was built over the city’s mosque after Ferdinand III took the city. Another example, in Madrid is now the Prado Museum, but before it was a meeting place for intellectuals or also Napoleon’s troop barracks.
Many of Spain’s cities are home to some of the most important monuments in Europe and even the world. In Madrid you can enjoy the Royal Palace or the Almudena Cathedral; in Barcelona you will find the Sagrada Familia or the Parc Güell; in Seville there is the imposing Giralda and the Plaza de España and in Granada the spectacular Alhambra. Visiting any of them is an enriching experience for everyone who does it.
Tortilla de patata, paella, cocido, salmorejo, gazpacho, ham… If there is one thing that stands out in Spain, it is its excellent gastronomy. Throughout the country you can taste the typical dishes of each area. Madrid and its tripe, Valencia with its paellas, Asturias and the fabada or the delicious Galician seafood are some of the foods that foreigners who come to our country like the most.
In addition, Spain has some of the best restaurants in the world such as the Celler de Can Roca in Girona, or Diverxo in Madrid.
Spanish literature is one of the richest with renowned authors such as Cervantes, writer of “Don Quixote de la Mancha”, and other current authors such as the recently deceased Javier Marías or Almudena Grandes. Reading them in the original language can help students learn Spanish.
As for art, the great museums are full of works by some of the most important artists such as Picasso, Goya, Dalí or Joan Miró.
Flamenco is one of the typical Spanish dances. Although it is more deeply rooted in Andalusia, where it comes from, it is one of the most widespread dances in the country and admired around the world. In November 2016 it was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
There are many who are increasingly encouraged to learn and practice it. It is well known the interest it arouses in many foreigners who in their visits to Spain go to the different shows that can be found in many of our cities.
But in addition to flamenco, there are other typical dances just as culturally rich as the jotas, the sardanas, the muñeiras or the chotis.