New Weekly Column Unpacks Spanish History for Curious Travellers
A new weekly feature from the Olive Press is set to become required reading for anyone curious about the deeper story behind their Spanish holiday. Titled "This Week in Spain," the series will be written by Michael Coy and will highlight notable events from Spanish history tied to the current week of the calendar.
According to Olive Press, the debut installment ranges widely across the centuries — touching on the country's celebrated cartoonists, historical episodes involving United States military intervention, and the extraordinary archaeological discovery of skulls dating back some 800,000 years, unearthed at sites that have reshaped scientific understanding of early human life in Europe.
Why It Matters for Travelers
For visitors planning a trip to Spain — or expats already settled here — the column offers useful context that can enrich almost any itinerary. The 800,000-year-old fossils, for instance, are linked to the Atapuerca site in Burgos province, a UNESCO World Heritage location where travelers can visit both the excavation area and the excellent Museum of Human Evolution in the city of Burgos itself.
Spain's cartooning tradition, meanwhile, is well represented in museums and cultural centres across the country, including collections in Madrid and Barcelona. Anyone interested in political satire or graphic art will find plenty of exhibitions and bookshops worth exploring.
A Broader Cultural Lens
Series like this one reflect a growing appetite among visitors for slower, more informed travel. Rather than ticking off landmarks, many travellers now want to understand the layers of history — Roman, Moorish, imperial, modern — that shape the streets, food, and festivals they encounter.
Practical Tips
- If Atapuerca interests you, combine a visit with Burgos Cathedral and the region's Ribera del Duero wine country.
- Check regional tourism boards for temporary exhibitions marking historical anniversaries mentioned in weekly columns.
- Follow Olive Press for updates, as future editions will highlight different regions and periods.
The column is a reminder that Spain's appeal extends well beyond its beaches and tapas bars, and that even a short weekly read can spark ideas for the next museum, monument, or lesser-known town to add to your travel list.