One medieval town in Spain has devoted themselves to books - reading, writing, and binding them. In fact, there are 12 bookstores for less than 200 people in Urueña, which has now become to be known as Villa del Libro, or a town of books.
Urueña is surrounded by high walls with a castle sitting by the end, and all are surrounded by wheat and grape vines. According to All That Is Interesting, the ratio of their bookstores is one to sixteen, and these people have their town registered to the International Organization of Book Towns - the only one in Spain. The same site also reported that each shop has its own unique specialty.
"Some are general interest shops; others specialize in old and rare books. One focuses on the region of Castilla y León, another on children's books. A shop called El 7 Bookshop specializes in books about bullfighting. Another concentrates its collection on books about wine, and this one is called The Cellar," the site wrote.
Urueña also teaches interested individuals on the art of ancient calligraphy, those written hand stones found in old tomes. Other lectures and workshops include teaching people making their own books, from covers to pages, and spines and binding.
And, do you know what else? Urueña is home to five museums - Museum of the Book and Writing, Story Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Museum of Music and e-LEA Centre. Four of them talk about literature from folklores and modern writing.
It is reported that about 40,000 tourists, also known to be as 'bibliophiles,' flock to the old book town to listen to lectures, participate in workshops or just read in one of their bookstores. Indeed, the town repositioned itself as one global leader of books in the likes of Wales and Netherlands.
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