A Spanish Taj Mahal built by a doctor and two masons
Colomares Castle in Benalmádena was built between 1987 and 1994 by a doctor and two masons. Its tiny chapel and Columbus-inspired details make it an unusual monument to the 1492 voyage.
Landmarks 163 news
From local councils to national ministries, Landmarks covers historic sites, architecture, restoration and tourism.
The page turns scattered updates into useful context for people who live in Spain, visit Spain or follow Spanish affairs from abroad.
The page turns scattered updates into useful context for people who live in Spain, visit Spain or follow Spanish affairs from abroad.
Toledo plans 28 collaborative homes at Alamillos del Tránsito
The Diputación de Toledo is rehabilitating the long-abandoned Alamillos del Tránsito building for collaborative housing. Its €1.085m first phase provides 18 homes, with ten more planned for 2027.
Five Gràcia buildings open for Open House weekend
Five buildings in Barcelona’s Gràcia district will open to visitors during 48h Open House on 24 and 25 October. The Sunday programme includes the former Manyach workshops, open from 10am to 2pm and again from 4pm to 6pm.
European Solar Telescope Joins ESFRI Landmark Network
The European Solar Telescope now has ESFRI Landmark status. Spain leads the La Palma project, which will use a 4.2-metre mirror to study solar magnetic activity and space weather.
Fernando Ónega now has a street in Lalín
Lalín has named a street after Fernando Ónega, honoring his long bond with the town. His family and neighbors joined the ceremony, making it a day of gratitude and remembrance.
Peter Marino Restores Coco Chanel's La Pausa
La Pausa has reopened after a careful restoration led by Peter Marino. The villa retains Coco Chanel's austere design and personal details, and Matthieu Blazy has made it the setting for Chanel's first spring campaign.
Madrid court blocks immediate eviction of Sol camp
Madrid's top regional court has refused an immediate eviction order. The judges want the Government Delegation to respond before ruling on the camp's future.
Pals offers a taste of Tuscany less than ninety minutes from Barcelona
Pals in Baix Empordà stands out for its medieval center and panoramic views across landscapes reminiscent of Tuscany. This Catalan village combines stone architecture and rice fields, with the coast close by, for a richly varied escape just a short lead from Barcelona.
Bilbao's Museum Rebuilt Its Future on a Century of Ambition
The Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao will reopen after more than four years of construction. Its expansion continues a story that began with a disputed plan for a permanent home for modern art.
Cayetana's unfinished work returns to Palacio de Liria
Palacio de Liria brings Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart back into focus. More than 200 objects connect her private life with the palace she helped rebuild in an exhibition running until 31 January 2027.
Medina del Campo gears up for a classic car takeover in its historic plaza
On October 4, 2026, nearly 200 classic vehicles from across Spain will arrive at Medina del Campo’s Plaza Mayor. The event brings rare machines and family stories to the heart of Castilla y León, with regional pride on display.
Madrid culture ministry hands historic Tabacalera space to activist group
The Ministry of Culture has bypassed Madrid’s push for affordable housing at the Tabacalera, granting 800 square meters to a neighborhood platform linked to the Puerta del Sol protest camp. The move has reignited debate over public property and housing priorities in the Spanish capital.
Ayuso Government Demands Urgent End to Puerta del Sol Protest
Madrid’s regional government has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to clear the Puerta del Sol protest camp after reporting vandalism and threats at the Real Casa de Correos. The standoff exposes deep divisions between local and national authorities as public events and daily life are disrupted.
Madrid officials at odds as Sol protest camp holds firm
Tensions are rising in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, where more than 1,000 protesters refuse to leave their camp over Spain’s housing crisis. City leaders and police unions are calling for urgent action, warning of security threats and vandalism.
A blue plaque marks Maricarmen's eviction in Madrid
A blue plaque now marks the Madrid home where Maricarmen was evicted. Its message names Urbagestión's owners and cites Spain's constitutional right to housing.
Madrid buries the M-30: From green dream to hidden highway
Madrid’s M-30 began as a utopian green belt in 1929. War and dictatorship, followed by car culture, turned it into Spain’s first full ring road, now hidden beneath the city and reshaping its field.
Granada takes La bola negra onto Spain's Oscar 2027 path
Plaza Nueva and the Carrera del Darro feature alongside Lorca's Granada in La bola negra, Spain's international feature submission for the 2027 Oscars. The Javis used city streets and historic sites, including gardens, to build the film's world.
Explosion Injures Three in Athens Old Town
A blast struck a three-storey building in Athens' Plaka district. Three people were injured outside the property, while five others may be trapped under the rubble.
La Bola Negra turns Granada into Lorca's unfinished story
La Bola Negra reaches Spanish cinemas on 25 September 2026 as Spain's submission for the 2027 Oscars. Its story moves from Granada to Cantabria and Sierra Nevada across three periods: 1932, 1937 and 2017.
George Lucas Museum Opens in Los Angeles
George Lucas's museum opens in Los Angeles on September 22, 2026, with more than 1,300 works. Star Wars and Indiana Jones share the space with classic art, contemporary pieces and immersive replicas.
George Lucas Museum Opens With Art Beyond Star Wars
George Lucas has opened a vast museum in Los Angeles. More than 1,300 works sit alongside cinema archives and immersive recreations of world masterpieces.
Barcelona Moves La Mercè Piromusical to Bogatell
Barcelona will celebrate La Mercè from 23 to 27 September. The piromusical moves to Bogatell, while free concerts and museum access extend across all ten districts.
Spain’s Top Weekend Road Trips Offer Freedom Beyond the Train Lines
A spontaneous weekend behind the wheel can turn into a real adventure. Spain’s varied landscapes and short distances make road trips a practical way to discover new places without the stress of rigid schedules.
Thyssen Bornemisza receives record art donation and plans new Madrid venue
The Museo Nacional Thyssen Bornemisza secures more than 180 contemporary works valued at €16 million. Madrid will gain a new public art venue in the former Palacio del Hielo y del Automóvil by 2031.
Kennedy Center closes amid Trump naming dispute and court order
The Kennedy Center in Washington has closed after President Trump ordered a shutdown, following a court decision blocking efforts to rename the building after him. The closure is tied to stalled renovations and ongoing security concerns.
Madrid Moves Ahead with Thyssen Expansion at Palacio de Hielo
Spain’s government and Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza have agreed to a major expansion of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. The project includes a €90 million renovation of the Palacio de Hielo to house contemporary art, while basic heritage spaces remain at risk.
Hundreds Still Displaced After Granada Earthquakes Leave Homes Uninhabitable
A month after a wave of earthquakes hit Granada, more than 200 people are still unable to return home. Damaged buildings, slow repairs and insurance hurdles have left families in limbo as authorities face mounting pressure to deliver solutions.
Asturian fossil is largest Ichthyosaurus anningae found outside the UK
A two-metre marine reptile fossil found in Asturias has been identified as Ichthyosaurus anningae, the first confirmed find of the species outside the United Kingdom. The discovery adds to what scientists know about Jurassic marine life in northern Spain.
Paiporta demolishes Pont Vell after flood damage to build safer bridge
Paiporta has started tearing down Pont Vell after the 2024 DANA left it structurally unsafe. The town will replace it with a modern bridge offering 45 percent more hydraulic capacity. Local authorities promise improved safety and ability to recover.
Oñati University regains its Renaissance identity after major restoration
The University Sancti Spiritus in Oñati has emerged from years of decay. Restoration has revived its Renaissance facade and replaced the iconic fallen warrior statue. The building now stands ready for a new era.
Fifty years of EL PAÍS captured in Bilbao street exhibition
Bilbao hosts the 'Momentos' exhibition, featuring 55 large-format photographs marking 50 years of EL PAÍS. The display highlights basic events and local milestones that reflect the region's dramatic changes.
Andalusia announces €46 million aid after criticism over Granada earthquake response
After weeks of criticism over its slow response, Andalusia’s government has unveiled a €46.2 million relief package for earthquake-hit Granada. About 200 people remain unable to return home as aftershocks continue.
Total solar eclipse to darken Castilla-La Mancha in 2026
On 12 August 2026, Castilla-La Mancha will experience a total solar eclipse. The shadow will cross Guadalajara and northern Cuenca, creating a rare twilight. Authorities urge early arrival and strict eye protection for safe viewing.
China builds Central America's largest stadium in El Salvador
A 50,000-seat stadium is rising in El Salvador and is set to become the largest in Central America. Its striking steel structure is transforming the skyline and raising questions about cost and what the project signals about El Salvador's regional ambitions.
Juan Ortega takes three ears at Ronda Goyesca
Juan Ortega delivered two memorable performances at the LXVII Corrida Goyesca in Ronda, earning three ears and sharing the shoulder-borne exit with Manzanares and Ventura. The event honored Antonio Ordóñez and filled the arena to capacity.