Places+of+Interest

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The Alhambra
The Alhambra (literally "the red") is a palace and fortress complex of the Moorish monarchs of Granada, in southern Spain (known as //Al-Andalus// when the fortress was constructed), occupying a hilly terrace on the south-eastern border of the city of Granada. It was the residence of the Muslim kings of Granada and their court, but is currently a museum exhibiting exquisite Islamic architecture. http://www.alhambradegranada.org = = = = = =

The Sacred Family Church
The Sagrada Família church (its official name being "Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família", the Holy Family Church of the Atonement), is the most famous sight in Barcelona and also one of Europe's most unconventional churches. Dominating its surroundings, it stands in the northern part of the city. = = = =

Prado Museum (Museo del Prado)
It houses a collection of over 4000 paintings, emphasising Spanish, Flemish and Italian art from the 15th to 19th century, and including masterpieces by Titian, Bosch, Botticelli, Rembrandt and Fra Angelico. [|http://museoprado.mcu.es] = = = =

Queen Sofia Art Centre
World famous modern art museum featuring a diverse collection of 20th century Spanish art, from Picasso to Solana. The former hospital which was converted into a museum for some of the most important works of the 20th century was inaugurated in 1986 by Queen Sofia. The museum's permanent collection is located on the third floor. The museum's collection demonstrates the evolution of Spanish art from the end of the 19th century up to contemporary avant-garde, and of course, the surrealist movement. [|http://museoreinasofia.mcu.es] = = = =

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
American architect Frank Gehry is responsible for this architectural masterpiece: this fantastic chrome and metal creation houses a large collection of modern and contemporary art, a continuation of the Guggenheim legacy [|www.**guggenheim**-**bilbao**.es/ingles/home.htm]

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Semana Santa
Semana Santa is run the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Though Seville and Malaga are the most famous cities for Semana Santa, the Castilla-Leon cities of Valladolid and Leon are also important. Semana Santa is the Spanish name for Easter. Members of local parishes carry ornate decorated floats depicting the Passion of Christ into the city cathedral. = =

San Fermin (Pamplona Bull Run)
The Pamplona Bull Run is a week-long bull running and bullfighting festival. Every morning at 8am, the city's brave and the world's foolhardy run ahead of a group of angry bulls. Those who don't fit the categories of 'brave' or 'foolhardy' watch on in amazement. = =

Tomatina Tomato Fight
The Tomatina Tomato Fight is probably the world's biggest food fight. Thousands of people gather in the streets of the tiny town of Buñol to fling tomatoes at each other. The origins of the festival are unknown and, to most people who like throwing food at each other, largely unimportant. = =

Las Fallas
Each neighborhood traditionally gets together to build giant puppets which are then later set fire to. There is usually a satirical nature to these puppets, though not always. The burning of these puppets is of course accompanied with plenty of street parties throughout the city. Not all the puppets get burned. There is a public vote to decide on the very best puppets for this year. These are taken to the Museo Fallero, Valencia's Fallas museum. = =

Feria de Sevilla
Normally two weeks after Semana Santa. It runs from midnight on Monday night/Tuesday morning and finishes on the following Sunday night/Monday morning. The Feria de Sevilla is a microcosm of everything Andalusia is famous for: flamenco, bullfighting, horses and sherry. Local well-to-do families spend a lot of money on renting marquees (//casetas// in Spanish) for their friends and families to enjoy their party.