National monuments of Spain facts for kids
Spain has many amazing historical places. These places are protected by special laws. The main law for protecting these sites was made in 1985. Before that, some sites were called Monumentos nacionales (National Monuments). This started in the 1800s. A famous example is the Alhambra.
Today, the main way Spain protects its heritage is called Bien de Interés Cultural. This means "Good of Cultural Interest." It helps keep important places safe for everyone to enjoy.
The Ministry of Culture in Spain has listed about 13,000 monuments. These are all part of the Bien de Interés Cultural group. This group includes more than just single buildings. It also covers other types of important heritage.
Contents
Types of Protected Sites
The Bien de Interés Cultural category protects many different kinds of places. These are all non-movable heritage, meaning they cannot be picked up and moved.
Historic Areas
A Conjunto histórico is a historic area. This is like a special conservation zone. It can include one old building or many buildings together. It protects the whole area around them.
Historic Gardens
A Jardín histórico is a historic garden. These are old gardens that are very beautiful or important. An example is the lovely gardens of Aranjuez.
Historic Sites
A Sitio histórico is a historic site. This can include special cultural landscapes. These are places where nature and human history mix. The Bulls of Guisando are an example of this type of site.
Archaeological Zones
A Zona arqueológica is an archaeological zone. These are places where scientists find old things buried underground. They help us learn about the past. The Archaeological Site of Atapuerca is a famous archaeological zone.
Some places in Spain are so important that they are protected in more than one way. For example, the Alhambra and Generalife are protected as a monument, a garden, and a historic area all at once!
Famous Examples
Here are a few examples of Spanish monuments that are protected:
- Numantia (protected since 1882, and later as an archaeological zone in 1999)
- Castle of La Mota (protected since 1904)
- Church of Nuestra Señora de la Mayor (protected since 1929)
- Cuéllar Castle (protected since 1931)
- San Sebastian Church, Madrid (protected since 1969)
- San Cayetano Church, Madrid (protected since 1980)
See also
In Spanish: Monumento (patrimonio histórico de España) para niños
