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Beginning in the capital, visitors can stroll between
three world-class museums on Madrid’s “Art
Avenue,” where the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza
and the Reina Sofía are all located within walking
distance. The Prado boasts one of the world’s
largest and most renowned collections of international
masterpieces, including many works by great Spanish
artists such as Goya, El Greco and Velasquez. The smaller
but very fine collection at the Thyssen-Bornemisza spans
the 13th through the 20th century. The Reina Sofía
is Madrid’s premier venue for modern art, and
the current home of Picasso’s famous anti-war
statement, Guernica.
The 14th-century Alhambra in Granada is the foremost
example of Spain’s Arabic period, and one of its
must-see attractions. Originally a military structure,
it served as a fortress, royal palace and small city
all in one. Until 1492, it was the largest political
and aristocratic center of the Muslim world. Today,
visitors find an astonishing complex of Moorish-style
buildings with cool, inviting courtyards, set amid tree-lined
walks, lush vegetation, flowing streams and fountains.
In northern Spain, two Gothic cathedrals are especially
notable. The 13th century Cathedral of Burgos is praised
for its remarkable sculpted entrance, the Sarmental,
and contains the tomb of the Spanish here, El cid. The
Cathedral of Segovia, begun in 1525, was the last Gothic
cathedral build in Spain.
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