Flamenco is more than a musical genre; it is an artistic expression deeply rooted in the culture and history of Andalusia. To reach the cultural relevance it has today, flamenco went through several historical stages that shaped its sound, characteristics and aesthetics, until it reached the present century and was recognised worldwide as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010. Below, we tell you about the evolution from the 15th century to the present day and its definition as the birthplace of Flamenco.

Its origin dates back to the southern half of the peninsula, more specifically in Andalusia in the 15th century, at a time when the cultural and ethnic influences of Muslims, Jews, Christians and Gypsies converged on the Iberian Peninsula. This mixture of traditions and lifestyles laid the foundations of flamenco, however, the arrival of the gypsy people in Andalusia in this century was the most relevant, as they brought with them rhythms and dances from their own culture that merged with local traditions.

Flamenco began to take a more defined form in the 18th century, as a distinct musical art began to emerge. In this period, vocal styles, known as ‘cantes,’ developed more fully. The first documented mentions of flamenco as an art form date from the end of this century.

The 19th century is considered the Golden Age of flamenco. During this time, flamenco gained popularity and began to be performed in singing cafés and venues dedicated to flamenco shows. These cafés were the main stages where flamenco developed and evolved. During this period, great figures in singing, dancing and guitar playing emerged, and many of the styles and forms we know today were established.

At the beginning of the 20th century, flamenco continued to evolve and become more professional. The development of recordings and radio helped to spread flamenco beyond the borders of Spain. In the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, flamenco experienced a resurgence, known as the ‘golden age of flamenco,’ with artists such as Antonio Mairena, Paco de Lucía and Camarón de la Isla, who innovated and pushed the boundaries of the genre.

In the 21st century, flamenco is, more than ever, an essential part of Andalusian, Spanish and world culture. Over the decades, a series of flamenco ‘palos’ (forms) with defined characteristics such as tempo, rhythm and meter, among others, have taken shape, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the Andalusian provinces.