eMates eMAtes - 2nd issue | Page 8

MADRID is the capital city of Spain . It is the largest city . Football ( soccer ) is a popular sport in Madrid , and the more intense
sport of bullfighting takes place in Las Ventas , one of Spain ' s most important rings . Puerta del Sol , the main gate to the city , which dates to the 15th century , is another historic site to visit . People from Madrid meet there at New Year ´ s Eve to eat the grapes and celebrate the coming year . In Madrid Art lovers can visit two museums , Prado Museum and Reina Sofia . The Prado Museum is one of the most important of the world , as well as one of most visited ones . His principal attraction are the pictures by Velázquez , Tiziano , Rubens and the Bosco . Thyssen Bornemisza Museum is the second most important one in Spain followed by the Guggenhein in Bilbao .
BARCELONA is the second largest city in Spain . Barcelona is
known for its architecture , with many of the buildings built by the famed architect Antonio Gaudi . Since hosting the Olympic Games in 1992 , Barcelona has become a popular tourist attraction . Barcelona belongs to Catalonia and people there speak their own language . Some important museums in this city are Picasso Museum and Joan Miró Foundation
VALENCIA is the third-largest city in Spain . It ’ s a popular tourist destination in the west of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea .
Valencia is famous for its oranges , nautical sports and beaches . A theme park for science , art and technology , la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias , includes the largest aquarium in Europe .
SEVILLE , BILBAO , SALAMANCA or LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA are also important cities in Spain not only because of its large population but also because of its landscapes , lively streets and great cousine .
LET ´ S GO PARTY !!!
You won ' t be bored in Spain because there are lots of popular festivals every month that will have your calendar full . It starts with the celebrations of Christmas and the parades of the Three Wise Men Kings that kids love because they receive many gifts from them . Normally , in February we celebrate the colorful Carnivals . Canary Islands has the funniest Carnivals , in March we celebrate “ Las Fallas de Valencia ” with the enormous cardboard statues . Around April we have the Holy Week and the funny “ Ferias de Abril ”. In summer , we enjoy the bonfires of Saint John , the traditional bullfights in San Fermin ( Pamplona ) and La Tomatina . These are only some examples of popular festivals of Spain though there are other curious festivals .
The Tamborrada is San Sebastian ’ s most important festival and the entire city gathers together . They celebrate
their patron saint ’ s day with the Tamborrada Deum parade . More than 15,000 citizens that belong to over 100 bands participates in this festival . It starts at 12:00 of midnight in the 20th of January at the square of Constitution , when the city flag is raised . The drumming opens with the Sociedad of Gaztelubide and some reprentatives who plays the drums and they play melodies that lasts for 24 hours . At 12:00 midnight the Union Artesana tamborrada lowers the flag and brings finishes the festival until the following year .