Spanish culture will permeate across the Atlantic next year during the 2001 &uot;The Majesty of Spain&uot;&160;exhibition in Jackson.

The exhibit will showcase more than 600 fine and decorative arts from the royal palaces of Spain and the Prado Museum that date to the middle 1700s to early 1800s.

It will also include several room recreations from Spain’s royal palaces.

&uot;The goal of the exhibition is to show this brilliant period of art in Spain,&uot; said Dr. Javier Morales, curator of the Patrimonio Nacional.

Natchez tourism officials held a reception for Morales and two other special guests, Leticia Ruiz, curator of Spain’s Museo del Prado and Jack Kyle, executive director of the Mississippi Commission for International Cultural Exchange, Sunday in preparation for the upcoming exhibit.

As part of exhibit-publicity, coordinators will also be promoting Vicksburg and Natchez, with a special emphasis on Natchez’s Spanish history. Two years ago, Natchez celebrated the bicentennial of Spain’s relinquishing control of Natchez to the United States.

&uot;We’re very sensitive to Natchez as a real asset to attracting people to the exhibition,&uot; Kyle said.

Natchez tourism officials hope to develop some special events that may lure exhibit-goers to Natchez.

&uot;We just want to go in tandem with the exhibit,&uot;&160;said Laura Godfrey, of the Natchez Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

For example, Natchez may offer a special tour of local buildings that have Spanish heritage. The exhibit is scheduled to begin in Jackson on March 1, 2001 and last until Sept. 3.

While in Natchez Sunday, the Spanish guests, Morales and Ruiz, spent time touring the city.

&uot;We’re coming to Mississippi not to conquest your lands but to conquest your hearts,&uot; she said.