The Spanish Wonder of the 1929 World Expo

The World Expo has been a long held tradition since 1851, fueled by the industrial age of developed countries with the express purpose of education and advancement. Countries from all over the world build pavilions that represent their current culture, priorities, education, and architectural savvy. These pavilions are meant to be temporary, only lasting for the duration of the world expo, which occurs every five years and lasts for six months. Out of almost one thousand pavilions throughout the years, only a couple dozen remain, most notably the Space Needle, Habitat 67, and the Plaza de Espanya in Seville, Spain.

The Plaza de Espanya is best known for its iconic appearance in the Star Wars franchise, but still stands today as a landmark in Southern Spain. It was built for the 1929 World Expo in a Regional architecture style that was a mix of Renaissance and Baroque styles with prominent Moorish elements. The semi circular plan curves around a giant fountain and round canal, featuring four bridges, and opening up to a larger park with smaller architectural works spread around. 

The pavilion acts as a beacon of Spanish (specifically Andalusian) architecture and culture, creating a space for locals and visitors to marvel. The blending of regional styles and elements is extremely important for its impact, but also for bringing together different cultures, histories, and people. At almost one hundred years old, the Plaza de Espana has only gained cultural significance and notoriety, cementing itself in the urban fabric of Southern Spain.