The invention of photography in the 19th century found Spain in a period of transition. Great changes were under way, but much of its population still led simple rural lives and many of the monuments to its earlier golden age sat derelict and neglected.

Click through the gallery for a selection of evocative images that capture Spain at this intriguing juncture in its history. To enjoy them FULL SCREEN on a desktop, click the icon in the top right...