Spain - Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, & Seville
The Art and Architecture program in Spain is a faculty-led program with professors from Terra Dotta University. The program offers applicants a multi-country academic experience with fall, spring, summer, or year long terms in Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, and Seville, Spain.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital and the most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. It is also Europe's largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is recognized as a Global City due to its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and tourism. The Barrios Gotico is the center of the old city of Barcelona. Many of the buildings date from medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona. Catalan modernisme architecture (often known as Art Nouveau) developed between 1885 and 1950 and left an important legacy in Barcelona. A great number of these buildings are World Heritage Sites. Especially remarkable is the work of architect Antoni Gaudí, which can be seen throughout the city. Sites include many historical buildings, monuments, museums, and parks. Barcelona is ranked by National Geographic as the best beach city in the world.
Barcelona's cultural roots go back 2000 years. There are many venues for live music and theatre. Barcelona has a long sporting tradition and hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics as well as several matches during the 1982 FIFA World Cup. FC Barcelona is a sports club best known worldwide for its soccer team, one of the largest in Europe. Barcelona is a city of culture, art, and architecture reflected throughout the sites, music, and entertainment in the city.
Granada
The city of Granada is placed at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and only one hour from the Mediterranean coast. The Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, is in Granada. It is one of the most famous items of the Islamic historical legacy that makes Granada a hot spot among cultural and tourist cities in Spain. Granada is also well-known within Spain due to the prestigous University of Granada and, nowadays, vibrant night-life. In fact, it is said that it is one of the three best cities for university students. There are many historic and archeological sites throughout the city that date back to the beginning of Granada's cultural traditions and legacies left behind. Granada's beautiful views, historic buildings, and closeness to Sierra Nevada's ski resort are perfect for studying historical art and architecture while enjoying the sites and entertainment.
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. Due to its economic output, high standard of living, and market size, Madrid is considered the major financial center of Southern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula. While Madrid possesses a modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighborhoods and streets. Madrid has been occupied since pre-historic time, in the Roman era. There are archeological remains of a small village during the visigoth epoch. During the Spanish Golden Age, Madrid knew its ultimate glory, El Escorial, the great royal monastery built by King Philip II of Spain, invited the attention of some of Europe's greatest architects and painters. Some of Spain's greatest music and literature blossomed in this period and created a continued focus on this historical city.
Madrid is one of Spain's most popular destinations and is renowned for its large quantity of cultural attractions. It's galleries, museums, churches, nightlife, Bohemian culture, classical music and opera, bullfighting, and local festivities attract students and tourists. Madrid's soccer club is one of the most prestigious in the world, having won a record 9 European Cups. Education and universities are highly noted and very important to the Madrid community. The sites and culture alone make Madrid a perfect place to study and learn about famous Spanish art and architecture.
Seville
Seville is the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. There are many historical landmarks and museums which boast of Seville culture from the city's birth to present day. The parks and gardens are legacies for Seville architecture. The cultural highlights are the festivals, tapas in restaurants, flamenco and Sevillanas dance performances, the nightlight, and the motto ("Seville has not abandoned me").
The universities in Seville are well-known and provide vigorous academic studies for students in all majors. Seville has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with Semi-arid climate influences. This artistic and cultural capital of Southern Spain is sure to lure any student for a chance to study in a beautiful foreign country.
