Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| casco antiguo | /ˌkasko anˈtiɡwo/ | masculine |
| casco viejo | /kasko bjexo/ (from spelling rules) |
This phrase is used to refer to the older, historical part of a town or city.
What does it mean word for word?
The term casco antiguo literally means "old shell" or "old hull". In this context, casco refers to the central core or shell of the city.
Which one should you use?
Casco antiguo is the standard and more formal way to refer to a historical center. In contrast, casco viejo is slightly more colloquial or descriptive.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions prefer different terms: in Spain, you will often hear casco histórico. In Mexico, the term centro histórico is common. And throughout many Latin American countries, casco viejo is a very frequent way to describe a city's historic district. Additionally, centro histórico is a common synonym used in both Spain and Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because casco is a masculine noun, you must use the masculine article el or masculine adjectives like antiguo or viejo.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌkasko anˈtiɡwo/
Did you know?
- The word casco used in casco antiguo is also the standard Spanish word for a 'helmet'.
- The word antiguo evolved from the Old Spanish antigo, changing its spelling because it was influenced by its own feminine form antigua.
- In many Spanish cities, the casco antiguo is characterized by a 'labyrinthine' layout, a term often used in local tourism to describe the confusing and narrow streets.
Examples in context
- El casco antiguo tiene calles muy estrechas.The old town has very narrow streets.
- Me encanta pasear por el casco antiguo.I love walking through the old town.
- Visitaremos el casco antiguo esta tarde.We will visit the old town this afternoon.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are planning their sightseeing trip.
- Elena¿Qué quieres visitar hoy, Javier?What do you want to visit today, Javier?
- JavierMe gustaría ver el casco antiguo.I would like to see the old town.
- ElenaEs una idea excelente, Elena.That is an excellent idea, Elena.
- JavierEntonces, busquemos el mapa ahora.Then, let's look for the map now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old town” translations and entries casco antiguo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries antiguo, casco, viejo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
