Spain is one of the countries with the most high-speed rail lines. This means that there are many cities to travel by AVE that our country has. In other words, high-speed train routes allow you to enjoy some of its most beautiful towns.
Among them, we could mention the biggest ones, such as Madrid, Barcelona o Valencia. Likewise, other highly frequented tourist destinations such as Sevilla o Málaga. But, in our tour of cities to travel by AVE, we have preferred to opt for others less famous, but equally beautifulLet's discover them.
Córdoba, the caliphal city
The spectacular Roman bridge of Córdoba, one of the cities to travel by AVE (High Speed Train).
The Madrid-Seville line, inaugurated for the Universal Exhibition of 1992, was the first AVE that existed in SpainAlong its route, you will find the wonderful city of Córdoba, with its splendid Arab past. Although there are variations depending on the time you choose, it will only take about two hours to get there from Madrid.
Precisely, the Mosque-Cathedral It is one of the best examples of that past and the great symbol of the historic center of the city, declared HeritageIts construction dates back to the 9th century, although it has been expanded and new buildings have been added in subsequent centuries. Thus, it combines styles such as Hispano-Muslim, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.
The Mosque Cathedral of Córdoba
Even older is the Roman bridge, which forms a set with the Calahorra Tower and bridge gate. But it is not the only monument from the Latin period in the city. You can also see the remains of the theater, which is located under the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum; a temple; two mausoleums, the colonial forum and even the emperor's palace Maximian.
No less interesting are the Hebrew monuments, among which the most notable are the synagogue and House of Sepharad, within the Jewish quarter. And the same can be said of Christians. Among these, the group of the Ferdinandine churches, so called because he ordered them to be erected Ferdinand III The Saintbut also the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs, with its Royal Stables. In short, there are so many wonders of Córdoba that we can't possibly mention them all. However, we also recommend that you see palaces and stately homes such as those of Viana, La Merced, the Luna or the dukes of Medina Sidonia.
Oviedo, one of the last cities to join the AVE (High Speed Train) category
Fontán Square, in Oviedo
The AVE line that goes from Madrid to Asturias It is one of the latest to open in Spain. It also allows you to discover beautiful cities such as Valladolid, Palencia o León. But, in this case, we have preferred to talk to you about Oviedo because it offers you different monuments like those that make up pre-Romanesque artPlus, it's only about three hours away by high-speed train.
This name is given to the set of stylistic forms that were given in Western Europe from the end of early Christian art until the arrival of the Romanesque. One of its most successful expressions was in the Kingdom of Asturias and many of its buildings are located in Oviedo and its surroundings. Thus, in its urban center you have the churches of San Tirso and San Julián de los Prados and, on Mount Naranco, that of San Miguel del Lillo and the palace of Santa Maria.
Santa María del Naranco, one of the most important examples of pre-Romanesque art in the Asturian city
The palace complex, which has now disappeared, was also pre-Romanesque. Only the chapel remains today. Holy Chamber of the cathedral, which contains founding jewels of the Asturian monarchy such as the Cross of the Angels and what is Heritage. It belongs to the same period the fountain of FoncaladaBut Oviedo also offers many other monuments.
Among the religious ones, the own one stands out cathedral, Gothic in style, although it also has Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque features; churches such as those of San Isidoro and San Juan el Real and monasteries like those of San Vicente and San Pelayo. Regarding civilians, the group stands out as a whole Fontán market; baroque or neoclassical palaces such as those of Toreno, the City Council or Velarde and theaters like the Campoamor.
Orense, the spa city
Cathedral of San Martín, in Orense
Another city to travel to by AVE has its hot springs as its symbol. Orense (just over two hours from Madrid by high speed) and are called The BurgasIt is a group of three springs that expel water at a temperature of over sixty degrees Celsius with a flow rate of three hundred liters per minute. They also have valuable properties for skin conditions. The fountains reflect the Baroque and Neoclassical styles and feature an interpretation center.
But the Galician city has much more to offer. Another of its symbols is the medieval bridge, which, although it dates back to Roman times, was rebuilt in the 17th century. Due to its age, it contrasts with the Nuevo, Novísimo and Milenio bridges and is a Site of Cultural Interest, a distinction that it shares with the Oca-Valadares Palace and the Archaeological Museum.
Las Burgas thermal complex
However, the great monumental heritage of Orense is religious. You have to visit the Saint Martin's Cathedral, built between the 12th and 13th centuries under the Romanesque norms. Inside, it houses the figure of the holy Christ, a medieval carving highly venerated by the people of Orense. We also recommend that you see the Gate of Paradise, which synthesizes that of the Glory of the Compostela cathedral, and the Cathedral Museum, with images such as the Peacekeeper of the Fifth Anguish or the Virgin of the O.
We also recommend that you visit other temples in the city. Church and cloister of San Francisco It is, like the previous ones, a Site of Cultural Interest. The same can be said of the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies, a simple 16th-century building that you'll see next to the Roman bridge. For its part, the churches of Saint Euphemia and Saint Mary Mother They are two baroque jewels; that of the Holy Trinity It has similarities to a castle and that of San Pedro dates back to the 12th century.
Cuenca, the "Enchanted City"
Cuenca City Council
Cuenca is another city to travel by AVE that should be included in our itinerary. It is located on the line Madrid-Valencia and it's just an hour away from the capital of Spain. But above all, despite its small size, it boasts countless monuments and attractions that have led to its nickname "The Enchanted City"In fact, its old town is Heritage.
Much of this is due to their Hanging houses. They are three buildings whose rear part is cantilevered over the gorge of the Huécar River and which were built between the 13th and 15th centuries. They are called Mermaid's House y Houses of the King and are palatial in style, with Gothic and Renaissance elements. Two of them also house the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art.
The famous Hanging Houses of Cuenca
The other great symbol of Cuenca is the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint JulianIt was built between the 12th and 13th centuries and is one of the first to be built in the Gothic style in Spain. However, later renovations added Renaissance and Baroque features. But, as you can imagine, it's not the only religious monument that stands out in the city. There are also spectacular the churches of San Andrés, San Miguel or San NicolásAs well as convents of San Pablo (today, a tourist inn) or of Mercy and the Monastery of the Franciscan Conception.
Regarding other civil monuments, you have to see the Mangana Tower, which has housed the city clock since the 16th century. You should also visit the Bezudo Arch, one of the old entrances in the wall next to which you will see remains of the castle. Finally, come and see the Town Hall, the Historical Archive and House of the Corregidor.
Tarragona and its Roman heritage
Amphitheater of ancient Tarraco
We finish our tour of the cities to travel by AVE in Tarragona, which stands out for its extensive history and Roman heritage. It is located on the line Madrid-Zaragoza-Barcelona and is located about two and a half hours from the capital of Spain.
It would be impossible for us to list all the Latin monuments you can see in this Catalan town. In fact, Tarraco It was the capital of the province of Hispania Citerior Tarraconensis and its archaeological complex is HeritageAmong the many vestiges of that era that you can visit are the walls, the imperial cult site, the Colonial Forum, the theater and amphitheater, the Scipio Tower, and the aqueduct.
However, Tarragona also has later monuments. Among them, the most notable is the cathedral of Santa Tecla, which was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and therefore combines Romanesque and Gothic styles. Later, other Renaissance and Baroque styles were added.
Tarragona's Rambla Nova, another of the best cities to visit by high-speed train
You should also know the modernist buildings of the Rambla Nova and Mediterranean balcony, with its spectacular views. But if you're looking for the essence of the city, head to the fishing district of seraglio, with its mid-19th century houses.
In conclusion, we have shown you some of the cities to travel by AVE. But the best connected by high-speed train are Madrid y BarcelonaTherefore, if you live outside of these cities, they should also be included in your rail itinerary of places to visit. Go ahead and discover all these cities.