Andalusia,
known to many as "the bridge between
two continents",
"the gateway to Europe", "a
melting pot of cultures" or "a
meeting point of two seas" fits perfectly
within any of these definitions.
A direct
link between Europe and Africa,
and the place where the Atlantic Ocean meets
the Mediterranean, Andalusia has
been fought over by numerous cultures since the earliest
times of civilization, being one of the areas of settlement
of our prehistoric ancestors.
In Andalusia,
contrasts are the norm. The diversity of the landscapes
which make up the region provides an entire spectrum:
from the warm Guadalquivir valley,
to leafy low mountain areas, from volcanic landscapes
such as the Tabernas Desert to the
white peaks of Sierra Nevada.
The millenarian
history of Andalusia has produced
an immense artistic legacy. The Alhambra in Granada,
the Mosque in Cordoba or
the Giralda and the old quarter of Seville are
monumental landmarks in the history of mankind. However,
in the vast majority of its cities and towns, we can
find examples of the finest moments of Andalusi´s
artistic history.
Andalusi´s
brilliant Islamic, Renaissance and
especially Baroque architecture of
its most important buildings, castles, fortresses and
monasteries scattered across the whole of the region
constitute a patrimony of immense significance.
The homeland
of Velázquez, Murillo, and Picasso has
paintings, sculptures, jewels, and archaeological remains
shared among its cathedrals, museums, churches, convents,
and palaces.