Little-known World Heritage in Spain

A carriage ran over Donana National Park (Do? El Rocío village in Anna National Park. Photography: Matt Jaeger, Leif/Redu

Written by Jessica Poitevin.

Spain is widely praised for its "cultural and natural heritage of outstanding value to mankind", with as many as 49 UNESCO sites. Although Barcelona, Seville and Granada are all classic destinations worth visiting, you can also consider replacing the regular scenic spots in your itinerary with the following little-known treasure places.

Doniana National Park: A Natural Paradise

Doniana National Park is located in the middle of the three southern provinces and is one of the most important protected areas in Europe. This 54 1 km2 biosphere reserve consists of lagoons, swamps, lakes, cliffs, woodlands and undeveloped pristine beaches.

There are dozens of kilometers of trails throughout the park, and visitors can spend hours hiking, cycling, bird watching and enjoying hundreds of species. For the most natural lovers, tour guides will venture to areas of the park that are usually closed to the public.

Toledo: a city where three cultures blend.

The medieval city of Toledo is located on the top of a mountain in Castilla-La Mancha. Photography: Jimmy Villata

There is a beautiful horseshoe arch inside the Santa Maria-Labranca synagogue. Photo: geronimo Alba, Alamy stock photo.

Toledo, located on the top of a mountain in Castilla-La Mancha, is a typical image of a "solid" city in the Middle Ages. Although there are many shops specializing in sword and armor art here, which proves Toledo's reputation in metal craft manufacturing, its most striking thing is its tolerant religious history.

Toledo's Gothic Cathedral, Arched Mosque and Santa Maria-Labranca Synagogue (one of the oldest Jewish temples in Europe) are all witnesses to the era of peaceful coexistence of Jews, Christians and Muslims. These coexisting influences have won Toledo the title of "a city where three cultures blend".

Apart from exploring the city's rich history and beautiful buildings, a trip to Toledo would not be complete without appreciating the works of the most famous folk artist El greco. The painter's works can be seen in churches and galleries all over the city, and his former residence will be open to the public after reconstruction.

University and Historic Alkaladeh Nares District: A Paradise for Book Lovers.

Street lamps illuminate the University's Mayol Street and the historic Alcala de Nares district. Image courtesy of Factofoto, Alamy stock photo.

Alcala de Nares's University and Historic District is the first real university town in the world, and the whole city is planned around a university and students. Since the university and historical district of Al Calad Henares has a long academic history, it is not surprising that this quaint town is famous for its literary and cultural contributions to Spain. Alcala de Nares University and Historic District are the birthplace of Cervantes, the most outstanding Spanish writer and author of Don Quixote. Cervantes himself may be long gone, but his lasting cultural heritage has made this city a paradise for book lovers.

Visitors can take the Cervantes train from Madrid to start their Cervantes trip. During the trip, visitors can enjoy the charming rural scenery and the live performances of the most representative scenes in Don Quixote. Once inside the university and the historic district of Alcala de Nares, the costumed tour guide will lead the tourists through cobblestone streets and manicured squares, and visit Cervantes' childhood home and Alcala University.

Antquilla: Archaeological architecture.

Torca in Antwera is famous for its unusual limestone structure. Photography: Bbsferrari, Getty images

A tourist wanders in dormann, the megalithic tomb in Monga. Photography: Jose antonio moreno, Getty Images.

Located in the center of Andalusia, less than two hours away from every major city, Antquilla is an ideal starting point for exploring southern Spain.

Antwera was listed as a world cultural heritage on 20 16, including artificial and natural archaeological sites. The artificial megalithic tombs in Monga, Vieira and El Romeral are considered as one of the best preserved megalithic tombs in Europe, which is even more impressive considering that they originated in the Neolithic Age and the Bronze Age. The natural remains of Antwera, Lover Rock (La Pe? Adelos Namora dos and Eirto Carr are both famous for their unique rock shapes, which seem to be unaffected by gravity.

Visiting all five monuments is free, but experienced hikers are advised to hike on the "Lovers Rock".

Salamanca: a place where the old and the new blend.

Students rest in Mayol Square in Salamanca. Photography: Nphotos, Getty images

Salamanca may have one of the oldest universities in Europe, but it has a youthful atmosphere. In the unique fusion of the old and the new, Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque buildings are well preserved, sharing the city boundary with modern shops and fashionable cafes full of young college students.

In the evening, the setting sun shines on the sandstone buildings, confirming the reason why Salamanca is called "Huang Jincheng". Mayor's Square is widely regarded as the most beautiful square in Spain and a jewel in the crown of the city. Although it is beautiful at any time of the day, you can see that the square is brightly lit and crowded with people of all ages when you visit it at night.

Atapour Card: Digging Common Roots

Archaeologists are working at the excavation site in Grandolina, Atapour. Photography: Cesar Manso, AFP/Getty Images

Deep in the Caba Mountains of Atapour in northern Spain, an amazing archaeological discovery turned the coal mine and iron mine in the19th century into one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. The remains unearthed in this site reveal the process of human evolution-from ancestors 1 10,000 years ago to modern homo sapiens. In addition to human remains, the site also includes ancient tools, animal bones and traps-these are the earliest evidence of human hunting and daily work.

There are various tour guide services here, which can let visitors know more about the cultural relics found in archaeological sites. The Museum of Human Evolution in the nearby city of burgos also has a permanent fossil collection.

Ibiza: far more than a "party island"

The rocky cliffs of Ibiza extend into the sea, which is one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in Europe. Photograph: Andrew Bauer, Getty Images

Ibiza Island is often associated with sparkling nightclubs, crowded beaches and people wearing neon costumes to attend parties, but this island on the east coast of Spain is more than just a party island.

Ibiza is one of the only two places in Spain that have been listed as World Heritage sites because of its natural and cultural characteristics. Dive into the green waters of the island, and you can see one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in Europe: there are more than 220 species of corals, colorful fish and Bohemian seaweed, which is a kind of seaweed species found only in the Mediterranean basin.

In addition to biodiversity, Ibiza has also won the title of World Natural Heritage, and it has also been selected as a world cultural heritage because of the discovery of Renaissance military buildings in the upper city of the island's fortifications, as well as the ancient Phoenician ruins of Sacalais Tower and Puyg Des Moliis.

(Translator: Zhang Yiran)