Getting Ready

Spain has a rich history full of distinctions. This is the land of Don Quixote, Sancho, el Cid, Hernán Cortes, Queen Isabel the Catholic, Colon (Christopher Columbus), el Greco, Velázquez, Goya, Gaudí, Dalí, Ferrán Adriá and many other geniuses, statesmen, artists and dreamers. All of them have captured the influence of the many civilizations that have left their footprints in Spain: Greeks, Romans, Goths, Moors, Christians, Jews, and Americans.

Early Life in Spain
Traces of pre-historical man have been found all over Spain. The Altamira Caves (in Cantabria) and many other caves throughout the region give testimony of these early “Spanish” artists. The Celts and Iberians lived here six centuries before Christ; then the Phoenicians, the Greeks, and the Carthaginians founded ports at Cadiz, Malaga, Ampurias (north of Barcelona) and other locations. Two centuries before Christ, Spain became part of the Roman Empire.

During the Roman Empire
Hispania was the most heavily colonized of all Roman dominions. The Roman Empire has been the base of modern Spanish culture: language, legal system, religion, urban development, etc. Adriano and other Roman Emperors were born here; even Julius Caesar served in Hispania and learned the art of bullfighting.

Visigoth Era
During the 5th century the Visigoths arrived and conquered the peninsula. They adopted Catholicism and employed a feudal system, which left their political system in a state of considerable instability. In 711 the Moors invaded the peninsula and within 20 years had conquered the entire area.

Moorish Era
Cordoba, under the Moors, represented the highest level of civilization in the western world. They contributed greatly to Spanish and European culture, among others, by translating Greek and Roman knowledge. The Moors remained in Spain for almost 8 centuries.

Reconquest Era
Shortly after the Moors took over Spain, the Spanish Christians regrouped in Asturias (Northwest region of Spain) and launched a crusade against the Moors. The Reconquest (Spanish Crusade) began in 718 B.C. and ended in 1492 under the Catholic Kings.

The Golden Age and the Decline of Spain (1492-1820)
Columbus' discovery of America in 1492 ushered in a new age and the spread of Spanish language, culture and religion in the New World. This era included great milestones in the world of art, with the contributions of masters such as El Greco, Diego Velázquez and Miguel de Cervantes. During this era, Spain came to be recognized as a world power. The Catholic King Fernando (Ferdinand, who served as model to Machiavelli’s master book “el Prince”) and Queen Isabel the Catholic (Isabella) spent their reign expanding Spain’s territory. Isabella financed Cristobal Colon (Columbus) in his expedition, thus making the discovery of America possible, and Ferdinand conquered many Mediterranean ports. Emperor Charles V, grandson to Ferdinand and Isabella, inherited from his father the Holy Roman Empire (which meant half of Europe). His son, Phillip II, added Portugal, including Brazil in America and Mozambique in Africa, as well as the Philippines (named after him) in Asia. He is also known for building the Escorial, one of the modern wonders of the World.

By the end of the 16th century the King of Spain reigned over much of the world. With the 17th century came the decline of the monarchy. In 1700 the King of Spain died and left no heir to the throne. Thus King Felipe V, a relative from the Bourbon Royal Family of France, became the new king of Spain. Napoleon’s army tried to conquer Spain, but on the second of May, 1808, the citizens of Madrid began the War of Independence against Napoleon, which lasted some years and ended with the defeat of Napoleon’s troops. Throughout much of the 19th century, a series of civil wars (known as the Carlist Wars) were fought between various contenders for the throne. Relative calm prevailed during the late 19th century, though famine and disease impelled many to emigrate to Latin America, and economic gaps between the social classes were widening.

Modern Era
During the early years of the 20th century, Spain emerged as a land flourishing with creativity and art, boasting figures like Ortega y Gasset, Dalí, Buñuel, Federico García Lorca, Picasso and many others. However, anti-monarchist sentiment was also blossoming. In 1931, the King left the country following a general election that elected the Republican Party. The Republic lasted until 1936 when General Franco, along with other generals, began a civil war, which was internally felt by many Spaniards as a second Reconquest because, for many, the Republic stood for Communism. Many American volunteers served in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, and Ernest Hemingway covered the war as a journalist. The Civil War ended in 1939 and Franco held his dictatorship until his death in 1975. Franco designed Spain as a monarchy and King Juan Carlos was crowned after Franco’s death. The citizens approved a new democratic Constitution in 1978 – General Elections took place shortly after.

21st century Spain
Today, Spain is a friendly, high-spirited country that has emerged from a civil war and the oppressive rule of a dictator with renewed energies. The country is bursting at the seams with a creativity and zest for life that can only be found here, and has become a world leader in gastronomy, as well as high fashion and the visual arts. In recent years, Spain has experienced an economic downturn, but their innovation and exuberance remains undiminished.

If New York City is the city that never sleeps, then Spain is the country that never sleeps. The nightlife in Spain is as much a part of the culture as the art, architecture, food and wine. Dinner is a time to socialize and unwind from everyday stress, and for that reason, Spaniards take their nightlife very seriously. Spaniards in general delight in the idea that the best time with your friends is over a great bottle of wine or pitcher of sangria and delicious food.