Here's an introduction to the national anthem of Spain. By the way, you may have noticed that it is one of very few national anthems with no lyrics. We'll go into why shortly...
What is Spain’s national anthem?
Spain’s national anthem is called the Marcha Real (‘Real March’). As its name implies, it is a military march in 4/4 time. The full version lasts around two minutes, though the version played at sports events is around 40 seconds long.
By the way, we also have articles on the history behind (and in these cases, the lyrics to) the national anthems of Spain's Group B rivals at the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament. Here are the lyrics to the Italian national anthem and to the Croatian national anthem. And here is some brief history and lyrics for the national anthem of Albania, 'Himni i Flamurit'.
Who wrote the national anthem of Spain?
We don’t know for sure. It first appears under the title of La Marcha Granadera (‘March of the Grenadiers’) in the Libro de la Ordenanza de los Toques de Pífanos y Tambores que se tocan nuevamente en la Ynfant Española, a guide to new military marches compiled by composer Manuel de Espinosa in 1761. It seems reasonable to suggest that Espinosa wrote it himself.
When did it become Spain’s national anthem?
From around 1770, Carlos III (1716-88) decided that he liked hearing La Marcha Granadera played to mark his arrival, and from then it became it became adopted as a state anthem. It was formally declared as Spain’s national anthem during the reign of Isabella II (1833-68).
What are the words to the national anthem of Spain ?
There are none! Words have been added on a couple of occasions in the past, not least during Franco’s rule in the mid-20th century, but none have lasted. Today, trying to write a set of words that will prove equally acceptable to the country’s diverse population of Castilian Spaniards, Catalans, Basques etc has been wisely left alone.
Is it the only national anthem with no words?
No. Spaniards share common ground with the people of Bosnia, Kosovo and San Marino in having to stand in silence (or at best hum) while their national anthem is played.
Find the lyrics to the different national anthems
