"CULTURAL ROUTES OF SPAIN" BRINGS TOGETHER 22 OF THE 48 SPANISH SITES INCLUDED IN THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST.

ESpain is the second country in Europe in terms of registrations and the third in the world, after Italy and China.. The itineraries that make up the Cultural Routes of Spain (Prehistoric Rock Art Routes, Vía de la Plata Route, El Cid Route, Routes of Charles V and Paths of Passion Route) bring together 22 of the 48 Spanish heritage sites currently registered on the World Heritage List.

This confirms this Spanish cultural tourism brand as one of the most important references in our country for the knowledge of Cultural Heritage, across and throughout our country.

Discovering Spain's Cultural Routes and its UNESCO World Heritage sites is to let your imagination soar on a journey back in time. Starting with Prehistory, Spain boasts up to four declarations featuring humanity's earliest art. Altamira Cave The cave was incorporated in 1985 into this select inventory of human genius of all time, a declaration which in 2008 was extended to another 17 decorated caves along the Cantabrian coast. The rock art of the shelters and ravines of Eastern Spain, from the Aragonese and Catalan Pyrenees to the Andalusian Mediterranean coast (passing through Castilla La Mancha, Comunitat Valencia and Murcia) was included in the list in 1998. In 2010, the Siega Verde Archaeological Area (Salamanca) was registered, and in 2019, the Cultural Landscape of Risco Caído (Gran Canaria), with its indigenous pre-Hispanic rock art. In all these areas, you can come and discover the symbolic and transcendental art of Spanish Prehistory.

From the origin of man to the Roman Empire to discover Augusta Emeritus o Merida, where the veterans of Emperor Augustus's legions settled, giving their surname to the town. A city where you can breathe history as you walk through the Roman theatre, where the International Classical Theatre Festival is celebrated every summer, or also the Aqueduct of the Miracles; the Temple of Diana; the Arch of Trajan; the Forum… It could be said that you are in a “little Rome”, smaller, but no less interesting than the Eternal City.

We can also travel to the Middle Ages, to the 13th century, and try to touch the sky as the spires do Burgos Cathedral. Stepping inside, you are greeted by light bathed in colours filtering through its rose windows. Elements of the Renaissance and Baroque have gradually been added to the initial Gothic style within, filling the immensity of its floor plan thanks to the work of artists such as Diego de Siloé, Juan Ricci, the master glassmaker Arnao de Flandes… You must admire every column, every corner, and seek out the tomb where the remains of Jimena and El Cid Campeador rest.

We move forward in time, to the 15th century, to put ourselves in the shoes of a pilgrim who, from the hermitage of El Humilladero, sights for the first time the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe. Here you will find the Virgin of Guadalupe, the epicentre of devotion that attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. Inside the monastery, the traveller is met by a melting pot of styles: Gothic, Mudéjar, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical. A spectacular symbiosis amidst a unique natural setting.

To end the journey, listen to the drum roll of Baena Easter Week is a unique time. This custom begins on the eve of Saint Joseph's Day, and continues throughout Lent on its Misereres every Friday and until Holy Week, from Holy Wednesday to Easter Sunday. A tradition carried by a confraternity member known as the "Judío de Baena", whose attire includes an embroidered red jacket, black trousers, a scarf tied around their neck, and on their head a metal helmet with impressive chisel work, adorned with a colourful plume. Horsehair, white or black, hangs from the back of the helmet, distinguishing this peculiar character as either "Coliblanco" or "Colinegro" (white-tailed or black-tailed).

The Jewish man carries the «chillones» drum, the beating of which has been protected and declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 2018. The drum beat can be a roll, which is the street beat and is played while walking through the streets, or a march rhythm, which is played in procession when in a penitential station accompanying a processional parade.

These five UNESCO World Heritage Sites are just five examples of the 22 that can be found by travelling the itineraries that make up Spain's Cultural Routes network: Prehistoric Rock Art Trails, Vía de la Plata Route, The Way of El Cid, Carlos V Route Paths of Passion

All that is known, our history, who we are, is contained within Spanish Cultural Routes.