If we recall the famous Shakespearean poem of ‘All the World’s a Stage’ and metaphorically imagine each of the nations being the characters played in the world events as the play, then the South European nation of Spain will undoubtedly gain the stance of one of the major characters as Spain is that one nation that has played one of the most vital roles historic events – discovering and gifting the existent world, the New World, known today as the Americas. But history of Spain is not confined to this major event alone. It spans thousands of years from the prehistoric times to the middle ages to the modern scenario, Spain has always seen itself at the center of some of the most pivotal events in the history of the world. The history of Spain is extremely fascinating, and if you are planning a trip to this incredible land, visit the nation’s historical past so that when you land on its soils, you will know exactly what great a nation it always has been.
Spain has been witness to rise and fall of many empires and groups and has provided shelter to all ranging from the Celts, Iberians and Romans to Vandals Visigoths and Moors, and today all of the past has merged together to give the world a nation that is seasoned, grand and exquisitely glorious. The history of Spain dates back around 30000 to 50000 BC, with the traces of prehistoric inhabitants have been discovered in several caves located in various parts of the country.
Around the time of 300 B.C., after Spain having gone onto the controlling hands of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians, the nation went to be controlled by the Roman power who had already gained huge empire around modern Italy, after a series of decisive Punic Wars. During the five hundred years of Roman rule in Spain, the nation saw its economy, agriculture and art reaching great heights with Hispania as the main central market and ports exporting valuable items such as gold, wool, olive oil and wine. The Spanish cities under Romans adapted Christianity as their religion around first and second century CE.
It was only in the 8th Century that Spain and the whole of Iberian Peninsula came under the rules of the Berber Muslims also called the Moors who originated from northern Africa. These Muslim rulers had been tolerant towards both Christians and Jews although many of them were made to convert to Islam at a later stage. Under them, the Muslim rules Spain went on to become one of the largest and sophisticated empires during the medieval era in Europe. After seven hundred and eighty one years of Muslim rule, Spain was united once again under the Christianity lead by the monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand, and under them, Spain went on to become the greatest world power in terms of politics, religion and militia. The years that followed, saw the expansion of Spanish Empire beyond limits in modern Europe, as well as Central America and Mexico through colonialism. These years also saw the Spanish renaissance which is often called the Spanish Golden Age.
After these years of reaching great heights, Spain fell in to the hands of relentless years of wars with the Barbarians, Ottoman rulers and France. The French rulers took charge and it soon gained international recognition and important stance yet once again. But what soon followed was the great Spanish-American war and bitter Spanish Civil War, the latter headed by Francisco Franco and it was after the death of Franco, that the constitutional monarchy was set up in the year 1975.
In the year 1992, Barcelona’s hosting of the Olympics, Seville holding the world exposition EXPO’92 and the same year Madrid being declared the European Cultural Capital proved to the world, the power and eminence of the nation of Spain.
spaintravelhub.com gives you well researched information on History of Spain and explores in detail, all its various faces and aspects are of great interest. So browse though the links of the site to get a fabulous tour of the colorful nation of Spain from your seat!
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