The long and varied history of Spain has played an important role in the cultural heritage of the country. Spain’s history spans from pre-historic times, to the days of the Spanish Empire through to modern day Spain after the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

The Iberian Peninsula was first inhabited over 35,000 years ago, with waves of different colonizers occupying the areas of Spain over the following millennia. These invaders included the Celts, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians and the Greeks, and by around 200 BC the area was controlled by the Roman Republic. After the Roman control, the Visigoths took over followed by the North Africans. Muslim states were established over the next 750 years in areas known as Al-Andalus between the years 711 and 1492. Most of this period also saw the Reconquista, the Christian re-conquest of Spain, and concluded in 1492 with the conquest of Granada.

The last Muslim ruler of Granada surrendered his kingdom to the Catholic Monarchs, thus ending Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Christian kingdoms and principalities developed throughout the country during this time, of which the biggest were the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon. These two kingdoms merged to create the Kingdom of Spain.

The Spanish Empire was the forerunner of European exploration of the New World and opened up trade routes to the Americas. Spanish conquistadors laid claim to vast stretches of land in North and South America, and the empire was one of the most important global powers in the world. During this time, arts and literature flourished in Spain, and times were stained only by the Inquisition and the treatment of the indigenous people in the Americas. The Spanish Empire remained in high power for several centuries, expanding their colonisations and becoming involved in several continental European wars in the process.

Spain engaged in wars with the Netherlands and Italy, gaining and losing assets to the countries. Wars with France and England ensued, and the next few centuries saw a decline in Spanish power. The Spanish-American War began in 1898 when Spain refused to peacefully resolve Cuba’s fight for independence. The war raged for 109 days resulting in many Spanish colonies being handed back to the Americas. By the end of the 19th century, the Spanish Empire had diminished and lost nearly all of her empire.

Political instability followed in Spain, and the country was devastated by the three year Civil War between 1936 and 1939. The war ended in the founding of a national dictatorship led by Francisco Franco, and the country experienced a rapid economic growth in the 1960’s and early part of the 1970’s. During his rule, Franco promoted a united national identity by repressing Spain’s cultural diversity. He promoted traditions such as bullfighting, but would forbid many other cultural activities that were too specific to one area.

The death of Franco resulted in the return of the Bourbon monarchy, and a return of many fiestas that were previously forbidden. Spain’s cultural heritage is now in full blossom, with different festivals held weekly throughout the year.