The Spanish Cultural Routes Association presents “Cruce de Caminos” (Crossroads), a project connecting the country's main cultural routes.

LThe Spanish Cultural Routes Association today presented its “Crossroads” project in Madrid, an initiative that consolidates the brand and promotes the country's heritage and cultural tourism. The project connects Spain's main cultural routes, offering unique experiences that combine history, tradition, and sustainability.

“Cruce de Caminos presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate that the authenticity and cultural richness of our routes are also our greatest differential value. This project will allow us to work together to strengthen the Spanish Cultural Routes brand and open new doors in the international market.” , highlighted Juan Carlos Fernández Calderón, president of Cultural Routes of Spain.

The day has been split into two complementary parts: in the morning, a roundtable discussion was held with more than 45 representatives from institutions, partners and industry professionals, where the initial results of the project were presented and future opportunities were highlighted; in the afternoon, a specific meeting took place for the media and content creators.

Cultural Routes of Spain: Eight itineraries to discover the country's inner richness

Spain is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, but beyond its most recognisable icons lies a fascinating, diverse, and profoundly authentic Spain, shaped by centuries of history and the imprint of civilisations that left a unique legacy. The Cultural Routes of Spain are the gateway to this other country, joining eight major cultural itineraries from north to south and east to west, which traverse monumental cities, picturesque towns, and extraordinary landscapes.

These tours not only enrich the national tourism offering but also contribute to boosting lesser-known destinations, diversifying travellers' experiences, valuing historical and cultural heritage, strengthening the regional economy, and fostering sustainable practices that directly benefit local communities. Thus, visitors discover Spain in an authentic way and participate in responsible and enriching tourism.

Among the main itineraries are:

• The Prehistoric Rock Art Trails, which transport us to the origins of European art.
• The Vía de la Plata Route, which runs from Gijón to Seville following old Roman roads.
• The Roman Baetica Route, which commemorates the ancient Via Augusta and connects centuries-old cities of great archaeological and historical wealth such as Cádiz, Carmona, Córdoba and Écija.
• The The Way of El Cid, which revives the medieval epic between fortresses and epic landscapes.
• Cluny Ibérica, which links monasteries, cloisters and medieval heritage of great symbolism.
• The The Emperor Charles V's Routes, which evoke the emperor's travels through the peninsula.
• Paths of Passion, which displays the sacred art and religious traditions of Andalusia.
• The Canal de Castilla, one of the most ambitious hydraulic works of the 18th century.

All of them combine to form a mosaic of experiences where UNESCO World Heritage sites, traditions and celebrations, breathtaking landscapes, and surprising gastronomy intertwine, inviting travellers to discover the essence of Spain in an authentic and sustainable way.

Crossroads: Strategic Nodes of History and Culture

Within these routes, some places stand out as true Crossroads, points where two or more cultural itineraries converge and allow the traveller to immerse themselves in the history and heritage of Spain in a privileged way:

• Andalusia: Carmona, Baena and Alcalá la Real
• Extremadura Cáceres and Mérida
• Castile and León León, Burgos and Frómista
• Aragon: Albarracín
• Cantabria: Ramales de la Victoria
• Valencian Community Benassal

These crossroads not only connect territories and eras, but also act as starting points and reference points for discovering the more than 5,000 km of signposted routes that criss-cross Spain from north to south and east to west, offering unique cultural and sustainable tourism experiences.

About Crossroads – Spanish Cultural Routes It's an experience for those looking to delve into a country's memory through its historic trails and encounters. A project that invites you on a journey where every crossroads, every locality, is an opportunity to pause and feel the living history that connects the soul of Spain.
The initiative is part of the project “Tourism Configuration of the Spanish Cultural Routes Crossroads Network”, approved under the “Experiencias Turismo España” call from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism and financed by the European Union through Next Generation EU funds.