"Where Matadors played" Spain by Onedragon

Spain Travel Guide: 53,309 reviews and 136,950 photos

Three cheers

Around 1100 BC, Phoenicians from present-day Lebanon set up trading colonies along the Spanish coast. Greeks also traded along the north-eastern coast. With the fall of Phoenicia, the Iberian peninsula came under the rule of Carthage, but was then occupied by Rome following the Punic Wars. The Romans ruled in Iberia for six centuries, laying such important foundations as the Latin language, Roman law, the municipality and the Christian religion.

After the Roman Empire fell, the Suevi, Vandals and Alans came to Spain but were defeated by the Visigoths who, by the end of the 6th century, had occupied most of the Peninsula.

The Arabs entered from the south at the beginning of the 8th Century. They conquered the country quickly except for a small area in the North which would become the initial springboard for the Reconquest, not to come until eight centuries later. The period of Muslim sway is divided into three periods: the Emirate (711 to 756), the Caliphate (756-1031) and the Reinos de Taifas (small independent kingdoms) (1031 to 1492).

In 1469, two Catholic Monarchs were married: Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, who prepared the way for the two kingdoms to be united. This union marked the opening of a period of growing success for Spain.

1492 heralded the discovery of America by the Crown of Castile under the command of Christopher Columbus. Then the Canary Islands became part of Spanish territory (1495), the Kingdom of Naples was taken from France and Navarre was incorporated into the Kingdom.

During the 16th and the 17th, witnessed the Spanish Empire become the world's foremost power, and a huge presence in European politics.

In 1808 Joseph Bonaparte was installed on the Spanish throne, following the Napoleonic invasion. A fierce resistance followed and Spanish rule was restored with Fernando VII occupying the throne.
Vitoria Spain,like any other place in Spain has the ages waiting to go on stage for a reunion,or so it seems.
Love seeing the beauty of the mall streets with a hint of the past that makes you stare and wonder what their lives were like??????

Remember the past dances

old city square

This is still a place where the people can join together to celebrate like they did many years ago. A few times during the year they kick up their heels and Dance !!!!!!!!!!
{ Mondragon Spain }

Stairway to the ruins of a castle

Mondragon Castle

Each step draws the excitement of seeing what you hope a knight might have seen !!!????

Pros and Cons

Pros:All amazing
Cons:Not seeing everything
In a nutshell:content at what one can understand

Last visit to Spain: Nov 2004
Intro Updated May 10, 2006
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Reviews (2)

PICNIC IN THE PARK Restaurants (1)

THIS REALLY IS NOT A RESTAURANT OR LUNCH WAGON OR ANY OF THOSE. IT IS MERELY A BEAUTIFUL PARK TO ENJOY THE TASTE OF A... more travel advice

Hotel Mondragon Hotels (1)

Delightfull and wonderful in that it felt great staying in somewhere special !!!! The people that worked there were... more travel advice

Comments (3)

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la_beba May 6, 2006 at 5:37 PM

Hi Eli! So... did you try the ham in Spain???!! :oP yuck! hahaha In my book, not even Ben & Jerry's would help! LOL
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pepples46 Dec 7, 2005 at 11:55 PM

I like your food tip..thats how I do it too, picnic in a beautiful spot in the park and watching local life ..tks for sharing
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Rhondaj Aug 28, 2005 at 5:35 AM

Yes! There he is! You got a good close-up version. Thanks for the birthday greeting.