Spain carries a long legacy of civilizations that shaped its towns and landscapes. From the Celts and Iberians to Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, and Christians, each wave left enduring traces that form the country’s oldest origins and settlements.
Several select towns stand out as living archives where streets and surroundings reveal the history of these varied peoples and the roots of Spanish culture.
Coria, Caceres
Coria, located north of Cáceres, traces its origins back to the 3rd century BCE. Throughout its lanes, evidence of Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, Jews, and Christians speaks to a layered past. The old town preserves monuments from the Middle Ages when the area changed hands between Muslim and Christian rulers. Notable structures include the Citadel from the 15th century, a symbol of noble power, and the Palace of the Dukes of Alba from the 15th to 16th centuries. Among the streets one finds a Gothic plateresque jewel, the Cathedral of Santa María de la Asunción, home to a revered relic associated with the Sacred Tablecloth of the Last Supper. This rich heritage makes Coria one of the oldest population centers in Spain and the seat of the oldest diocese in the province of Extremadura, once part of royal lands, later a county lordship, and in 1472 the seat of the Marquisate of Alba. [Cite: Extremadura Heritage Council]
Torrejoncillo, Caceres
From the Cáceres province, thirteen kilometers south of Coria, Torrejoncillo emerges as another ancient site. In 1933, bronze figures dating to the 3rd century BCE were discovered on a local property. These votive pieces point to the Vetons and attest to the Iberian, Lusitanian, and Celtiberian cults worshiped in the region, with connections to Atacina, the goddess of night, fertility, and rebirth. The town’s name reflects Arab influence, derived from settlements gathered around a fortified tower known as torre oncin. [Cite: Iberian Archaeology Journal]
Calahorra, Rioja
Calahorra, in the La Rioja community, began around 187 BCE and played a pivotal role during the Roman era, serving as a hub that connected pre-Roman settlements. Over centuries it also functioned as a Celtiberian enclave, an early episcopal center, and a frontier town in the Middle Ages. The city’s layered history is visible in its artistic, architectural, and cultural heritage, which showcases the many civilizations that left their mark on its streets and structures. [Cite: La Rioja Cultural Archive]
Olite, Navarre
The town of Olite sits near the heart of Navarre. Its origins reach back to Roman times, with a walled enclosure that preserved the so-called Cerco de Inside. In 1147 the town expanded southward, and portions of the Roman wall remain alongside medieval towers and gatehouses. A stroll through its lanes reveals street names that echo past settlements and the civilizations that occupied the area. Some streets remember the Jewish quarter, while others reflect the town’s medieval trade and daily life. The Royal Palace, dating from the medieval era, was declared a national monument in 1925 and underscores Olite’s importance to the Navarrese crown. [Cite: Navarre Heritage Institute]
Brañosera, Palencia
Brañosera lies near the border of Castilla y León and Cantabria and is considered one of Spain’s oldest municipalities. Its roots trace to Cantabrian communities around 450 BCE, with Roman influence following later colonization and a shift in cultural and religious life as Rome expanded its reach. The town issued its first city charter under Count Munio Núñez during the reign of Alfonso II the Castilian in October 824. Throughout history, Brañosera was an important mining hub and later became a significant industrial mining basin in mid-twentieth century Spain. [Cite: Cantabria Regional Archives]