The world is host to some odd and interesting festivals. Enjoy our list of the Messiest Festivals in the World. Let us know how it was in the comments if you’ve been to any of them or if you want to let us know about others.
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Tower of Hercules :: Galicia, Spain
As the great Dan Deacon once said, “Lighthouses rule. If you don’t like the lighthouse, you suck”. This statement is all the more true when you are blessed enough to have visited the Tower of Hercules, otherwise known by its Spanish name, Torre de Hércules. Perched on a rocky peninsula on the coast of Galicia in the northwest corner of Spain, the Tower of Hercules has been safeguarding ships since the late 1st century AD. Among the more magnificent structures erected by the Roman Empire, local legend has it that Hercules cut off the head of Medusa’s grandson Geryon, buried it where he stood, and built the lighthouse as a monument to his victory. In reality, researchers have conjectured that the tower was actually designed by the architect Gaius Sevius Lupus and commissioned by Emperor Trajan in his efforts to “Romanize” the area then known as Brigantium due to its prime port location.
[Read more…] about Tower of Hercules :: Galicia, SpainBatalla del Vino (Haro Wine Festival) :: Haro, Spain
One thing you have to know about the Spanish, they really do know how to throw a party. And for some reason they can get pretty darn messy. We already told you about “La Tomatina“, the tomato throwing festival in Buñol, Spain, but surprisingly there is an even wilder fiesta brewing about 350 miles north in the city of Haro. Here in the Rioja Region, June 29th is the Batalla del Vino or Wine Battle aka the Haro Wine Festival. Though many Spanish festivals are meant to celebrate various patron saints (June 29th is also St. Pedro’s Day) this little shin dig is anything but saintly. Whereas most people think the point of a wine festival is to get the drink IN you, here the goal is to get it ON you (well mostly).
[Read more…] about Batalla del Vino (Haro Wine Festival) :: Haro, SpainBurgos Cathedral :: Burgos, Spain
Built during the early 12th century, Burgos Cathedral in Burgos, Spain is famous for its massive size and amazing Gothic architecture. Construction began on the cathedral on the orders of King Ferdinand III of Castile and Mauricio, Bishop of Burgos on July 20, 1221. After a hiatus of nearly 200 years work resumed on the cathedral toward the middle of the 15th century and continued for more than 100 years. It wasn’t fully completed until 1567, three years after the death of Michelangelo, when the lantern spire over the main crossing was added. In 1919, Burgos Cathedral became the final resting place of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (El Cid), a Castilian nobleman, military leader and diplomat who after being exiled, captured and ruled the city of Valencia in 1094.
[Read more…] about Burgos Cathedral :: Burgos, SpainLa Sagrada Familia :: Barcelona, Spain
This magnificent building was the vision of legendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. Begun in 1892, La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family) has been more or less under continuous construction for well over a century, and is still not expected to be completed until at least 2017. Although there were several delays due to war and the loss of the original blueprints, the majority of the holdup is due to the fact that the entirety of the construction of this cathedral is founded purely on donations from the public. And with the grandiosity of the structure, both in size and design, limited funding has equaled a delayed finish line. Despite these delays, or perhaps because of them, La Sagrada Familia is one of the most visited and photographed sites in Barcelona, Spain. Undeniably, the astounding beauty and extremely unique style have significantly contributed to the over two million guests that visit and pray every year. With a clear Gothic influence, there are myriad other architectural styles and flourishes to be seen that delight and astound even the most jaded traveler.
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