Architectural marvels

THE UNSUNG ANCIENT CITY

Not far outside the Islamicgothic bastion that is Seville, the lesser-known ancient Roman settlement of Italica is a semi-ruin of aristocratic mansions and swirling mosaics around an amphitheatre that seated 25,000. Believed to be the birthplace of emperors Trajan and Hadrian, its modern profile was raised by appearing in TV show Game of Thrones. italicasevilla.org

THE HISTORIC SKYSCRAPER

The Telefónica Building was Madrid’s first skyscraper when it opened in 1929, and soon became both a bombing target and an air raid shelter during the Spanish Civil War. Today, it hosts regular art exhibits behind a beautifully restored facade fusing Spanish baroque and New York art deco styles.

espacio.fundaciontelefonica. com

GAUDÍ’S HIDDEN PALACE

Barcelona doesn’t have a monopoly on the genius of Antoni Gaudí. The unruly architect, whose works dot the Catalan capital, was also called to rural León to design the Episcopal Palace of Astorga: a castle-like vision of spires and moats for the Bishop of Astorga. It’s now a museum to the Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail, which passes nearby.

palaciodegaudi.es SP