Detail of the interior of La Sagrada Familía

How much do you know about Spain's monuments? #SpainQuiz

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Are you ready to test your knowledge of Spain?

You will be asked a series of questions and depending on your correct answers you can get a gold, silver or bronze medal. You can also share the result with your friends.

9If you travel to Barcelona you could spend hours admiring the beauty of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, a monument which, by the way, has a story that seems to be straight out of a novel. Construction began in 1882, Gaudí devoted his final years to it and the artist himself is buried in the crypt of the church. It is expected to be completed in 2036. But how many towers will it have once it is finished?

A: 15

B: 18

C: 22

Right! Gaudí proposed to build 18 towers in the Sagrada Família: the 12 lowest ones represent the apostles and the highest one, at more than 170 metres high, represents Jesus Christ.

9Which of these lighthouses is the only one in the world from the time of the Roman Empire that from its origins to the present day still fulfils its original mission of guiding ships?

A: Tower of Hércules in A Coruña

B: Lighthouse of Cala Ratjada, in Mallorca

C: Orchilla Lighthouse, on El Hierro

Right! It was probably built in the second half of the 1st century or in the early years of the 2nd century AD. The Tower of Hercules is 55 metres high and today you can visit the inside and get a simply marvellous view.

9Take a good look at the curvilinear shapes of this building. Sounds fascinating, doesn't it? Their mathematical complexity is such that their architect had to employ advanced software used in the aerospace industry to make them a reality. But... Where are we?

A: Metropol Parasol, in Seville

B: Auditorium in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands

C: Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao

Right! Architect Frank Gehry used 33,000 very thin sheets of titanium to build it. Today, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is the jewel in the city's crown.

9What would you say is the largest cathedral in Spain?

A: Seville Cathedral

B: Toledo Cathedral

C: Burgos Cathedral

Right! Its size makes it the largest Catholic cathedral in the world and the third-largest Christian church after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London. Impressive! Another curious fact: Did you know that the discoverer Christopher Columbus is buried here, in the Seville Cathedral?

9Take a good look at this work by the sculptor Eduardo Chillida. We've already told you that it is in the city of Donostia, San Sebastián and that observing it by the sea is an almost magical experience. But... what is the name of this work?

A: “Asomado al mar” (looking out at the sea)

B: “La sirena de San Sebastián” (The mermaid of San Sebastian)

C: “El Peine del Viento” (comb of the wind)

Right! Chillida designed "El Peine del Viento" so that when the wind blows hard, the waves crash hard against the cliff and the air rushes in, emitting a very particular sound. Beautiful and evocative.

9Although it may not look like it, this beautiful place is located inside a volcanic tunnel. However, there you will find abundant vegetation, a natural lake where the so-called blind crabs live and a large auditorium. What are we talking about?

A: Grotto of the Wonders, in Aracena

B: Cave of El Soplao, in Cantabria

C: Jameos del Agua, in the Canary Islands

Right! The Jameos del Agua are located on the island of Lanzarote and were designed by the architect César Manrique. Thanks to his imagination, this artist was able to combine art and nature to perfection. On the island you can find other works by him such as the Mirador del Río (meaning river viewpoint) or the Cactus Garden.

9At which monument in Spain can you see a huge botafumeiro running at a speed of 68 kilometres per hour?

A: Casa Milá

B: Monastery of El Escorial

C: Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Right! It is the famous Botafumeiro (thurible) at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Already 800 years ago it was used to purify the cathedral which was filled with pilgrims. Watching it in motion is an incredible experience: it takes eight men to make it start to swing and rise. Be careful because it has only a few fixed operating dates (public holidays such as 6 January, 23 May, 25 July, 15 August, 1 November, 8, 25 and 30 December and other holidays that vary from year to year). Outside of these dates, to see it in operation a prior request must be made, and it must be paid for by private individuals.

9What is this building decorated with huge eggs, bread and mannequins?

Building decorated with eggs, bread and mannequins

A: The Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres

B: It is known as the "Capricho de Gaudí" (Gaudi's whim) in Comillas.

C: City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia

Right! This Theatre-Museum is said to be the largest surrealist object in the world. Inside you will find some of Dalí's most important works and the crypt with the artist's own tomb. A must-visit.

9We present the impressive aqueduct of the city of Segovia, built during the Roman Empire. It has 167 arches and is made of 20,400 granite ashlars. But what material would you say these ashlars are made of?

A: Cement

B: Glue

C: Kryptonite

D: With none

Right! The ashlars were laid dry, without any mortar. There is a reason why the legend says that it was the devil who built it... They actually lifted the ashlars with pulleys and ropes and adjusted them with iron levers. In Roman times, the Segovia Aqueduct supplied some 5,000 people.

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