History
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Sant Esteve church in Andorra la Vella, photo by FrankAndProust, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Europe’s Microstates: The Medieval Monarchies That Survive in Our Midst
Continental Europe is home to four microstates with populations of between 30,000 and 80,000 people: Andorra, between France and Spain; Liechtenstein, between Switzerland and Austria; Monaco, on the French Riviera; and San Marino, in northern Italy. Read more
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Statue of Isidore of Seville in front of the National Library of Spain, Madrid. Sculpted by José Alcoverro y Amorós in 1892, photo by Héctor Gómez Herrero (CC BY-SA 3.0 ES) via Wikimedia Commons.
Isidore of Seville: The Patron Saint of the Internet Who Shaped Knowledge for Generations
Imagine living in a time when the internet didn’t exist, books were scarce, libraries were few and most people couldn’t even read. Read more
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The Three Kings arriving at the port of Barcelona, photo by Laura Guerrero courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Three Kings’ Day in Spain
In Spain, the holiday season isn’t just gearing up for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and then New Year’s. It includes Saint Stephen’s Day on December 26th and Three Kings’ Eve and Three Kings’ Day on January 5th and 6th. Read more
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Massacre of the Innocents, Lower Church, Assisi, Italy, by Giotto (1311).
Día de los Santos Inocentes
While the concept behind the Day of the Innocents celebration dates back to Biblical times, today the holiday is mostly known for giving and receiving harmless pranks and practical jokes amongst family and friends. Read more
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Saint Stephen by Carlo Crivelli, 1476. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Saint Stephen’s Day in Catalunya
Saint Stephen’s Day is not a holiday in most of Spain, but it is in Catalunya and the Balearic Islands; in both areas, it is just as important as Christmas Day when it comes to family time. Read more
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Paseo de la Constitución in Zaragoza, Spain. Photo by Willtron (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
What Is Constitution Day in Spain?
For those of us who moved to Spain within the past decade or two (or three), it’s easy to forget that less than 50 years ago, the country was under the thumb of a dictatorship. In terms of Western democracy, Spain is still very young. Read more
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What Is La Puríssima, and Why Is It a Holiday in Spain?
December 8th is a national holiday on Spain celebrating La Puríssima. But if you ask just about anyone what it is and why it’s a holiday, you’ll quickly learn that many people aren’t really sure. So, why is it a public holiday? Read more
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Christ Pantocrator, Cathedral of Monreale, Italy. Photo by José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
Was Jesus Palestinian?
Netflix’s upcoming biblical biopic, "Mary," has been attacked on social media because the title character and her husband Joseph are being played by Israeli actors. Read more
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A Bone to Pick: Carrer del Bisbe
One of the most photographed features of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter isn’t even 100 years old. The elaborate footbridge that spans Carrer del Bisbe, connecting the Palau de la Generalitat with the Casa dels Canonges, was only constructed in 1928. Read more
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Photo by Alessandro Cani.
Gothic Legends: Old Tales from the Old City
Behind Barcelona's real history of buildings and kings, there is another secret city of legends and myths. Read more
