Jerez de la Frontera is an
ancient, emblematic and charming city of Spain which historically
represented a very distinctive border established in the Middle Ages
between the Christian and the Muslim
World during that famous period corresponding to the Spanish Reconquest and in more contemporary times becoming a
relevant reality which in the course of its long history consolidated itself as
a superb heartland of art, Sherry and horses which are emblems of its considerable culture.
Today that city underwent a major transformation, part
of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia
and with its approximately 210.000 inhabitants is the 5th largest
municipality of that "Comunidad" located in a splendid geographical position just one hour from the major centre of that land, Seville and at less than 40 minutes driving from Cadiz the
Capital of the County.
Surrounded by the Campiña
de Jerez, the picturesque local countryside highlighted by low scenic hills
packed by vineyards at just 12, 0
kilometres from the Atlantic coast, the sea has never been far away from
that site highlighted by charming medieval streets and where you can breathe
that unmistakable breeze coming from the Ocean even when the wind seems to have
given a break on hot summer days under a warm sun which is always shining.
Also that is a
special and attractive feature which conquers in its kind the numerous tourists
who are enchanted by the light and colours of that extraordinary destination
delighted by an average annual
temperature around 24ºdegrees and with over 2960 hours of sunshine a year, qualities
which make that place very loved for those special and more appreciated
climatic conditions.
The new connections developed in the last decades and
especially the motorways infrastructures such as A-4 or A 318
were established to link Jerez with better communications particularly
focused to create a considerable axis which could improve furthermore the
traffics among the previously mentioned Cadiz and Seville but also with Gibraltar
and the port of Algeciras,
the most important Spanish harbour regarding freight containers.
Today thanks to that network of roads you can easily
reach that Iberian gem from south coming from the sunny coastline or from the
scenic Sierras and hilly plateaus situated in the other cardinal points around that
destination which has a lot to narrate to all the visitors who want to know a historic site simply stupendous.
The relevant patrimony kept with pride by that city situated in a beautiful
and captivating land of
Europe which since many centuries ago was a cross point of important civilisations
is undoubtedly another great attraction with a historic
core packed by a monumental nucleus among the most fascinating and attractive
of the entire nation.
When you sometimes think about that pearl of Andalusia its name frequently revolves around Sherry
and horses emblematic symbols of that unique and superb site and definitely two
veritable local cultural treasures.
The first topic is linked to those distinctive
products which started to be notorious since centuries ago with the presence of
that renowned Bodegas which created
a tourism linked for tasting and buying those notorious beverages while the second is
strongly related to that magnificent equine breed born there and extremely tied
to the legendary Real Escuela Ecuestre, that legendary equestrian school which is a kind of Sanctuary for those who love the world of the horses.
In addition to those two great highlights there is a
further one called flamenco that
kind of art represented in music and dance which marked the local spirit and soul symbolising something of extremely rooted and deep.
Also that other attraction added since a long time ago
more colours and accents to a place which nowadays continues as in the past to
be surrounded by that incomparable magic
aura composed by those unmistakable sounds and melodies which entered in
the most representative folklore but also able to
transmit energy, passion and
joie de vivre.
That charismatic artistic expression played a very
important role as sort of exciting instrument making that centre a sort of
Capital of a great artistic movement which created famed singers and dancers who conquered with their performances the
entire World and in addition boasting one of the oldest
and iconic schools of the entire Iberian Peninsula.
Other exploits which elevated Jerez de La Frontera as
a superb destination came from Motor
Sport when since 1987 the city started to host the Gran Prix Motorcycle
celebrated in the iconic Circuito de Jerez in May with the presence of
thousands and thousands of fans and bikers who with their presence transform that place in a sort of Festival and furthermore that circuit for a period
was also seat of a stage of F1 Gran Prix.
In addition also
Golf occupies an important position with the famed Sherry and Barceló
Montecastillo Golf Clubs which are seats of considerable national and
international competitions and attracting several lovers of that outdoor activity.
The
Holy week of Jerez and the popular
Feria are other outstanding events which call numerous visitors combined with many other
cultural appointments with protagonists art and further festivals with
proposals very attractive for every tourist niche.
The
presence of numerous very comfortable Hotels and accommodations classified in different
categories from luxury to standard is certainly a great local resource, many of
those structures are perfectly located boasting all the most distinguished
services and facilities, well communicated and with a notable capacity prepared
to host the important events.
All that has placed
that destination in the Top Ranking for the organisation of successful Congresses,
Conventions, Conferences, International Meetings of high reputation and
including another kind of tourism identified in Travel
Incentive found in that site a fantastic place to manage superb and great operations.
The
mild climate all year, the proximity of historic cities such as Seville,
Cadiz and the magnificent Atlantic coastline with the eternally sunny Costa de la Luz highlighted by its bright sandy
beaches which are among the most
loved of the entire Nation play
all together an important role offering great opportunities to enjoy water sports in places simply perfect
as Tarifa, a Mecca for windsurfing and
once there the chance to play Golf in prestigious Courses in
the fabulous resorts of Chiclana de la
Frontera, Sotogrande, Puerto Real and
El Puerto de Santa Maria among others.
The
local cuisine which is among the most varied and delectable of Spain and
the kind and hospitable locals are a
further considerable details which complete an offer more than notable delighting every
tourist.
The city is also one of those places which have
not gone unnoticed in history. It is an emblematic place which goes beyond the Pillars
of Hercules, to look out on that great Ocean look away and mentioning extraordinary
historic stages starting from the Neolithic period according to archaeological excavations with
the discoveries of artifacts in the local boundaries confirming the presence of
human life in that time before to have been populated by very important
civilisations such as the Tartessian, the Phoenician, the Roman, the Moorish and the
Spanish.
All those populations left notable and relevant marks
in culture, art and lifestyle and undoubtedly deserve a superb mention to the
Tartessians which were recognised as the first great settlers in Andalusia since the third millennium B.C.
They originally occupied the area corresponding to the mouth of the Guadalquivir river coming in the boundaries of Jerez and according to the information narrated by iconic Greek historians as Herodotus
well known as the Father of History and Ephorus who reached his popularity for
his 29 books related to different
historic periods, those ancient inhabitants were expert traders of metals
such as gold and copper exchanging them with the first Iberian populations.
Those Hellenic characters also depicted Arghantonios; the last King of the Tartessa
which name means Silver man because it
said that in those times he was considered one of the richest men existing in
the world and including he helped the Greeks sending them several kilos of silver during the times of war against
the Persians.
That figure is
related to the first settlement elevated in the current city and it said that such Monarch died when he was approximately 120 years old despite a controversial opinion by some historians
affirmed that his name is that of dynasty and not that of a unique man.
Those settlers became important partners in trade and
commerce of the Phoenicians who were
according historic documentations their successors in that settlement
calling it Xera, Séres which during
that period became one of the most flourishing centres of the entire Iberian
Peninsula and they connected it to the major harbours they founded along the Andalusian
coastline.
The current name is linked to that referring back to such ancient site and
that former denomination was transformed by the Roman colonists using the word Ceret.
All that happened
during the domain of the current Andalusia when it was called Betica after
the 2nd Punic War with the famous
victory of Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus against Carthage in 201 B.C after 17 years of clashes, an event in which the Carthaginian power lost all its domains
in the old Hispania.
Under Roman
influence that place had a further development when it was elevated
as a main centre connected to the ancient Baelo Claudia in proximity
of the current Tarifa, an
important Imperial stronghold along the coast of Cadiz in which is still
visible the immense historic patrimony left by Rome consisting in the rests of
a magnificent nucleus.
After the fall of the Roman Empire started a period in
which the Vandals did not develop a
notable cultural life due to their privilege were mainly concentrated in raids
and incursions mainly concentrated in a materialist individual hunger of
properties and goods and they were replaced later as rulers by the Visigoths.
The Moorish occupation gave that site a new rebirth,
a renaissance which was a period linked to the most distinctive golden ages
started in 711 and when it was renamed Sherish.
The Moors since the times of the Umayyad Caliphate with Al
Walid I retraced a continuation of flourishing times interrupted by that
brief and sad period of desolation relaunching that centre to a very busy and
bustling existence and furthermore increasing its prestige elevating it as one
of the main markets for goods coming from the Atlantic routes and those established
across the interior in the founded Caliphate
of Al-Andalus.
New improvements and a further glorious time came
under the powerful Caliphate of Cordoba
since 929 started with Abd-ar-Rahman III who was a Monarch well known to
reach the throne when he was just 21 years old.
In a short time the current city was transformed
in one the most important hubs of Western Andalusia with a very fast
development and with a fame which reached from north to south the entire Peninsula.
The birth of a new and efficient agricultural system of production
highlighted by an innovative network of
irrigation was one of the many works which grew under Moorish rule with
those governors who also concentrated their efforts with the construction of walled
sections for defencive purposes but also focused to establish a Medina, the beating heart of the
former Sherish which became a cradle of a very active and lively political,
social, commercial and cultural life.
During the Middle
Ages in particular in the 11h
and 12th century, Jerez lived
its more prodigious and great development during the rules of the Berber Almoravid and Almohad dynasties.
In those times it was a consolidated reality around it were built
impressive high fortifications to preserve the integrity of a very wealthy
centre and elevated to defend the town against any invasion but those periods were also
characterised by artistic movements which reached high peaks with an organised
urban structure which was developed according the designs of the Caliphs with a
large maze of narrow streets, a wide Kasbah, an important market and a monumental area very
similar to those created in Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Marrakech and Fez.
The city's economic development also started to be
pioneer in the increasing cultivation of grapes, an activity which was
previously added to that of citrus and other kinds of vegetables and as well as in a new development
with the construction of various landmarks such as the Alcazar, the castle,
the famous fortress which was originally erected in the 12th century
over the rest of a previous smaller one.
In
1264 with the reconquest of the Catholic King Alfonso X that
centre was incorporated in the Crown of
Castile and renamed Xerez from
which derives the contemporary denomination replacing the letter X with the current J.
That new name with all those chronological
changes also created around it a lexical history, it is pronounced He-res or He-Reth, in Andalusian and
Spanish respectively, the old Spaniards and Arabs sounds were Herres and Scheris while in a more modern era the
British have then corrupted it into Sherry.
The words de la
Frontera was added in that
period of the 13th century and it refers to the role as a sort of Spanish bastion
corresponding to a border historically established between the Moorish lands and
the Christian territories consisting in
the frontier with Imarat Gharnatah, the Emirate of Granada ruled by the Nasrid Emirs, leaders who were the
last Muslim dynasty founded by Mohammed I Ibn Nasr in the Iberian territory.
Those lands not still conquered were considered
on the other side by the Catholic Kings who led the reconquest and for that
they added those words to other towns in the same geographical area which received the same additional words still
existing today such as Arcos de la
Frontera, Conil de la Frontera, Castellar de la Frontera and Chiclana de la
Frontera among others.
The former Moorish city has always enjoyed a strategic
position from the top of its fortress which was in medieval times able to
resist to attacks and a long sieges by the Christian incursions but once
captured by the King of Castile was defended by several attempts by the Moors
who wanted to reconquer that stronghold.
It is historically very famous in a long siege led by Abd al-Malik Abd-al Wahid, a General son of
the Sultan Marinid Sultan Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman who died in one of those
operations in 1339 in a period in which Andalusia was theatre of a multitude
of battles including village by village.
Once
ended the Spanish Reconquest in 1492 with the fall of Granada, last Arab
bastion in Spain, a date which
also determined the end of the Middle Ages other centres gained more
prestige such as Seville, the mentioned Granada and Cordoba, Jerez lost the
status of a frontier but not the name by which it was known and despite a decay in terms of political power it continued to be an
important cultural centre and one of the most important towns of Andalusia regarding
trade and keeping a pretty active agricultural market.
It placed itself as an important reference for that kind of activity in the
entire territory and it lived times of splendour until the 17th century a period in which the
Kingdom of Spain for different reasons suffered an economical decline.
Despite that brief gray time of decay the 18th century was the start up of a new golden
era which was highlighted at the beginning by a slow a slow step by step
returning to the glory of the past, both culturally and economically in
particular with the production of those wines so famous all around the
world such as the Sherry, El Fino de Jerez, Manzanilla produced by those
Palomino grapes which started to be very appreciated in the entire continent.
The 19th
century was undoubtedly very important with notable operations of
industrialisation thanks to the construction of the railroad favours, the
junction by train to El Puerto De Santa
Maria and the improved connections to the sea in particular
concentrated towards the town of Puerto Real, all arrangements which elevated Jerez de la Frontera as one of the main relevant commercial centres of Southern Spain.
In addition during that time the city had a brilliant
and pretty fast development thanks to many
foreign wine entrepreneurs and exporters who came to live in its
boundaries fixing their residences in the most elegant and central
neighbourhoods.
Those years were also characterised by an intense big
urban transformation with several new suburbs inhabited by the humble social
class but despite that notable enlargement that subdivision between two
different realities not infrequently provoked peasant revolts.
During the 20th century
that centre as well as many other cities
of Spain had to fight against various agricultural pests which invaded the
local area leaving considerable damages. After that at the beginning the
recovery was pretty slow also due to an intense emigration to the North of the
country or abroad for that reason which left many people without a job.
Despite that difficult time it was rebuilt from the
crisis which led to those outbreaks and could move forward with a revival in the
production of such exclusive fine wines with markets as South America creating a
major incentive to get back up next to a considerable relaunch of other
productive processes in terms of agriculture linked to vegetables and
fruit and that industry became the engine of a development which highlighted those years.
The captivating and charming local history offers the
first real inspiration to know the city. All its places including the most
hidden corners are gathered behind a veil of Moorish charm in a sort of sweet
intoxication from the typical atmosphere never too far away from North Africa
and Maghreb combined with a strong and unmistakable Andalusian identity.
Jerez de la Frontera offers the visitor a great
monumental patrimony, a stunning scenery of art and culture thanks to its
secular magnificent chronology of artistic treasures left in its boundaries
which elevated it as a shining diamond so appreciated by
every tourist at first sight.
You can start the visit from the Alcazar which is
undoubtedly the local beating heart showing with its
imposing and superb silhouette the grandeur of those iconic Arab times
surrounded by the picturesque streets of the old city in which everything
shimmer and all is incredibly alive but much more real are the feelings of
being in the depths of a soul in half never too much never too Spaniard or Arab
and that monument is extremely inspiring and captivating as it was in its glorious past.
Unique in its kind, different concepts of architecture are harmoniously combined and melted in a
splendid mixture of details all around that impressive perimeter of approximately
4000,0 metres corresponding to a majestic stoned walled complex which represented the symbol of power and
defence of a historic and impenetrable. stronghold which appears as protagonist of an old and stunning novel.
You can feel facing that majestic structure a sort of
magic aura as a live narration of centuries of captivating historic stages and
inside you will be delighted by magnificent
gardens which complete a masterpiece so attractive and simply astonishing.
The Alcazar was the ancient and former residence
of the Caliph of Seville, a site to look for a time of relaxation gets
lost along the boundless land of cactus, looking at the famous vineyards, a stronghold
elevated to protect a large inhabited centre but also elevated to create a golden haven to find
serenity in an ideal environment highlighted by a nature all to contemplate
transmitting a sort of sublimation of the senses as it was the philosophical
concept of the Moors.
The arrangements of lush and scenic gardens arranged
inside within those high walls with fountains
and small channels created to hear the
sounds of the water were instruments to find inspirations and interior peace something
which reached the maximum levels in the times of the emblematic Ibn Tufayl, philosopher and physician
and much more with the legendary figure of Ibn
Rush well known as Averroes,
that iconic Berber –Andalusian character
born in Cordoba, politician,
scientist, master of philosophy, a polymath who transmitted
the relevance of those specific setting as perfect and more than appropriate to be inspired
and delighted by the beauty of life.
You will be enchanted by the view of all that at the foot of those strong and majestic
walls of that solid, superb and evocative construction which originally arouse
in the 11th century in a minor size which was
rearranged and greatly enlarged one century later by the Almohads.
In many corners you will also notice the most intense
and vivid expression of the most pure Mudejar Art, that kind of artistic
movement which had its birthplace in Andalusia, a natural continuation of the
former Moorish settlers canons used by locals using similar materials and in some
cases identical decorations placed in the layouts and with the executions
of lines daughters of the previous artistic movement.
All that included a
loyal reproduction of distinctive symbols such as zellij and sebka decorative
elements, stupendous and refined niches reminiscent the original Mirhab loyal to the oldest traditions,
superb elaborated Koubba,
those magnificent cupolas and all that retaking the value of the geometry which was for the Moors
not just a mean to represent stunning architectural masterpieces but also a solid philosophy of life.
Of those Arab times you can admire nowadays in that magnificent
complex the stunning octagonal tower
elevated in traditional Almohad style which was elevated as main
check point on the southern side of the Alcazar.
Next to that construction is situated the Pavillon of the Patio de Doña Blanca
which is originally the last Almohad building of the castle built on an
irregular square plan with an entrance by a portico and covered by an octagonal
dome. That space was used for social meetings and recreation and on the sides
were established two wings for rest and relaxation.
The famous Mezquita, the unique survivor of the 18
Mosques erected in the municipality was converted into a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary
by King Alfonso X after the reconquest in the 13th century.
That former Islamic construction is still highlighted by the presence of the Minar, the high minaret where originally
the Muezzin was protagonist with the rite of the Adhan, the call to pray and that distinctive
element was later modified in an imposing crenellated tower with a scenic
turret inserted on its summit as terminal.
That former Muslim site was in those times
one of the most relevant of the entire county and frequented by all the Caliphs of different dynasties
and by all the highest ranking of that Arab Reign who visited the former Sherish.
Inside that fabulous complex you can admire some
details and halls which remind the Moorish period such as traditional arches,
the classical Mirhab established as the loyal Islamic canons oriented towards the holy city of La Mecca,
the room for ritual ablutions, the
praying Hall and the Hammam, the
Baths subdivided in different sections consisting in
the entrance with the room of undressing, the space with cold and tepid baths which
is the largest of the entire environment
and the pool which contained hot waters.
The gardens are also
a further attraction highlighted by cypress and olive trees, flowers and ponds containing fish. All is greatly embellished by a typical Mediterranean lush vegetation with stunning colours as
protagonists with scenic paths crossing stupendous areas which will transmit
you a jump in the past and naturally the Moorish philosophy related to their development.
You can also admire a pretty
large courtyard called Patio de Armas, where the Almohad Governors
called the troops, a site in which were organised parades and military events
inside the fortress.
Within the Alcazar you will be delighted by the view of the splendid Palacio
de Villavicencio consisting in
an elegant mansion started in 1664 and ended in the 18th century erected on an original side of that Muslim stronghold
and it took its name by Lorenzo Fernández de Villavicencio who was one of
the first mayors of the city.
In the second floor is hosted the old municipal pharmacy created in the 19th century
which still conserves the original
furnitures and by the tower of the palace you can visit the Camara Obscura which is in its kind a
great attraction with a game of lenses system and from where you can enjoy
spectacular real images in movement of Jerez with great panoramic views of the
main monuments and the rural surroundings.
The Torre
Ponce de Leòn is a tower erected in 1471 by the Marquis of Cadiz from which it took its denomination. It was elevated
on three stories and it served as defencive bastion, check point but it was
also inhabited.
The strategic position of that fortress represents the
concrete central point of what was once a Moorish city in Spain consisting in the
ancient Medina, one of those emblematic places which characterised the
local glorious past until the late medieval times and as remarkable date in
that area approximately lived 16,000 people and
the old Sherish in that time
already had a surface of over 46 acres.
Past and present are linked by historic stages,
events, chronological cycles of cultures and traditions developed around and
inside that iconic site which never lost its distinctive charm including in a
more recent time despite some restorations and what is simply great it is that
all is still greatly preserved and simply wonderful.
A major local religious building is definitely the
outstanding Catedral del Salvador, the Cathedral of the Savior erected
in the late 17th century and
concretely ended in 1695.
That beautiful
Baroque construction was originally established on the rests of a Mosque built in the 12th century and since
1931 was declared a Bien de Intéres Cultural, a national monument patrimony of
Spain.
Developed on an ample rectangular plan with a
magnificent facade with three portals, the style of that majestic Church which
was consecrated as Cathedral in 1980
is classified as a traditional Baroque structure following the cycle of
construction and many details closely linked to that architectural style but despite
that you will notice an ample presence of Neo-Gothic
elements and including some traces
of Neoclassical architecture.
The plan consists in a nave and four aisles with a
great and stylish execution of flying buttresses crossing the transept and with
a wonderful huge dome surrounded by statues as terminal in the upper section.
Very scenic on the ample frontal side is the presence of rose windows while another
highlight is a stupendous vaulted niche above the central portal.
The impressive position of that sacred temple over a stoned step flanked on
one side by an imposing bell tower forming a spectacular artistic complex is
the architectural result of the research of the most sublime aesthetic image
designed to surprise the human eye in a while.
The interior is richly decorated with splendid baroque works well combined with neoclassical elements and further
stunning Neo-Gothic details.
It contains several valuable paintings including one
of superb value preserved in the Cathedral Museum consisting in one of the most
relevant works by the Master Francisco Zurbarán, the famous La Virgen
Niña, The little Virgin Mary considered one of the great masterpieces of
that great artist from Fuente de Cantos
who had his major artistic success in Andalusia and concretely during his long
stay in Seville.
The avenue next to the Cathedral is already glimpsed
the orange groves of the Alcazar, simply majestic and beautiful and also that
corner represents in its kind a romantic and inspiring point to breathe all the
sunny and evocative captivating essence that Jerez emanates all around its
radiant boundaries.
You cannot miss a walk in the old quarter of the city
the Barrio de Santiago. It is the borough which bears the name of Saint
James and it extends upstream of the Cathedral oriented in a picturesque maze
of scenic alleys and enchanting narrow streets in an environment absolutely
fascinating making it one of the most appealing
urban corners of the entire municipality.
A walk there immediately transmits the visitor a
splendid sensation discovering the beauty of a site extremely romantic, sometimes a bit difficult to visit for someone who enters in that
environment for the first time inside that magnificent labyrinth very similar to the emblematic Barrio de Santa
Cruz of Seville or La Juderia in Cordoba.
It consists
in an intersected mosaic of small squares and alleys highly charming reflecting
the typical Andalusian setting of an old centre and all is so attractive
generating an immediate surprise with the desire to discover it metre by metre.
That district grew since the 14th century
in proximity of the medieval walls in the municipal northern side after the Catholic
Kings reconquest and it is a pleasure to walk along two of its distinctive streets
such as Calle Ancha and Calle Muro
with the chance to contemplate the Moorish Almohad walled sections from those
very scenic and inspiring arteries.
I also suggest you a more than pleasant stop in the
beautiful Plaza de Santiago, a stunning square
highlighted by the presence of a
splendid romantic fountain situated halfway between one of the oldest gates
of the city and the ancient Chapel of Santiago and encircled by charming
houses.
In that fabulous neighbourhood I recommend you a visit
to the Iglesia de Santiago, a
marvellous Church erected between the 15th and 16th century
in Gothic style and with some Baroque architectural additions consisting in in the lines of a modified
tower and in the interior.
That sacred temple is highlighted by a stupendous high
front side with a scenic portal under a stylish vaulted niche with superb
inlays and decorations above it beneath and a stunning turret containing the
belfry.
In the splendid square Plaza de la Merced you can admire another monument of relevance,
the Basilica de la Merced elevated
in the 14th century but completed three centuries later with a new facade boasting a large rectangular portal established beneath a
sinuous niche and with sculptures inserted in the upper section of the layout of the
front side. Splendid is in addition the decorations visible on the sides with refined
outlines and stoned medallions containing coat of arms.
Pope Pio XII elevated that Church as Basilica on June
1949 and it contains in its interior some important attractions such as the
image of the Patroness of the city, the Virgen de la Merced, the Virgin of
Mercy, a replica of the Holy Shroud of Turin dated 1572 and the rests of the General Primo de Rivera hosted
in the Chapel of Riquelme.
Historically that Basilica is also well known
because in 1810 during the Napoleonic
Invasion it was used as headquarter of a French military division and that unusual
presence stopped for a period the use of that site for religious rites.
From there you can continue organising your
plan of visit reaching the Iglesia de San Mateo, the Church dedicated to
St. Matthew. That construction is considered the most ancient Medieval Gothic Religious building of the entire municipality.
It was erected in the 14th century
despite many works also continued in 15th
century and since 1931 it achieved an important title when it was declared National Patrimony. Developed on a
rectangular plan, it is highlighted by the presence of two splendid towers
and in addition you will notice in some architectural details something in common with the facade of the Cathedral
of Seville.
The interior consists in splendid nave flanked by some
relevant chapels containing notable Renaissance and Mudejar works and another
beautiful highlight is undoubtedly its beautiful brick floor.
The wonders present in that Church are a
brilliant replica or better the continuation of the previous existing Moorish style with tiles and ceramic elements totally
respecting the former canons in terms of decorative art with a touch of personal
expression and imagination which also were in those times inspirations and
results depending by the talent of the artist.
From that place you are pretty close to the Plaza
del Mercado, the distinctive Market Square and once there I suggest you to
visit the Museo Archeologico, the Archaeological Museum housed in a
splendid 18th century palace.
A visit to that exhibition is definitely a brilliant
opportunity if you want to know more about the city so do not hesitate to come
in enjoying that great place and discovering the ancient history of Jerez.
The museum hosts a rich number of relevant discoveries
with many objects and rests emerged after excavations which took place close to
the Guadalete River and it displays items of the ancient Tartessian and Roman
civilisations which made great the former settlement.
Another interesting monument is the Iglesia de
Santa Maria, a Church dedicated to St. Mary which rests on the remains of a
large Mosque and also facing the square of Alameda Vieja, another main point of the old town.
Not far you can reach a neighbourhood called Barrio
de San Miguel, St. Michael District in which the scenery is simply magic
fascination at first sight. White houses, narrow streets, flowered balconies
and charming, traditional Andalusian Patios are wonderful
attractions of that stunning and captivating quarter.
That place is highly inspiring transmitting all the
enchanting soul and spirit of the most picturesque and scenic Andalusia in all
its essence including highlighted by a touch of sublime poetry when you can listen coming from a window a
Flamenco melody delighting that idyllic environment so inviting and ready to be
explored in its vast maze of beautiful alleys and all that appears as something to narrate in a magnificent literary work.
On top of a low hill stands the Iglesia de San
Miguel, St. Michael Church consisting in a beautiful building dated 15th century modified in the following
century and showing nowadays a fine Baroque style.
Some further restorations, embellishments and new
architectural elements continued to be added until the 17th century a period in which in Spain lived a new artistic
enthusiasm to complete or partially changing the layouts of many structures previously erected in
other styles.
The Church was originally developed on a long and
ample rectangular plan with three nave and you will notice that the central is
higher than the other two on its sides and they reflects the most classical
Neo-Gothic style in vogue in the period of its elevation and very relevant is
also the combination of the pilasters and the arched doorway beneath the
towering front side.
Especially striking is its facade with a triumph of
white marble, rich carvings and sculptures which suggests an elaborate Flemish
lace of stones and its bell tower decorated with beautiful blue and white tiles
in a magnificent Mudejar style.
In that district you can enjoy a pleasant walk in Plaza de Las Angustias, a large square
flanked by palm trees and stylish buildings erected in different periods and in
that urban corner you can visit the Capilla
de las Angustias, a Baroque Chapel erected between the 16th and
and
18th century.
That splendid construction was elevated in two different
blocks with a large rectangular portal surmounted by a pediment inserted in the
facade and a belfry placed on its flat roof while behind the main body of the structure you will admire the second part of the building consisting in a
large white complex with a big polygonal dome.
Another special site which worth a mention in that bustling
and coloured district is the lively Plazuela,
a small picturesque square which hosts the Capilla
de la Yedra, a Baroque Chapel characterised by a beautiful front side.
Plaza del Arenal is another
highlight of that neighbourhood, it is a stunning square in which you can see
the monument dedicated to the General
Primo de Rivera on his horse and that place was used for different kinds of
events as the visits of the Royal Family receiving on its surface different
Sovereigns such as Alfonso XIII, Isabel
II and Felipe II among others.
Around it you can see some historic palaces as Alhondiga
erected in the late 17th century originally built to host a vegetable market and
later used as Military barrack while nowadays it is occupied by Municipal offices and a further one which worth a mention is
the Palacio de Justicia, a
neoclassical building elevated in the 18th century and enlarged
one century later.
We can say that few places in Spain enjoy have a great
international reputation regarding wines as Jerez de la Frontera.
There are many anecdotes and historic episodes linked
to the emblematic vineyards of that centre and one of them is dated the late 9th century when the Visir Almanzor due
to Religious reasons linked to the Islam in which is forbidden to drink alcohol
wanted to destroy all the cultivation of
grapes but the locals convinced him to keep them because they told that
influential Moorish figure that the
raisins transmitted energy and power to the soldiers.
Including it said that during the Christian
reconquest the Spanish Officers of the troops of the King Alfonso X gave the horses wine to drink before to
start the battles and in the 13th century some barrels were already sent abroad reaching a couple of places in England for the first time.
The exportation of that product started with much more
intensity and volume in the 15th and 16th century mainly directed to Holland, Great Britain and
France and despite in minor quantity also shipped on board in
vessels which reached America.
A further historic event is that after a raid of the notorious British corsair
Francis Drake with his fleet his
lieutenant Martin Frobisher took with him over 3000 barrels of wine in 1587
and that loot was sent to the English coasts as spoils of war.
In more contemporary times the exportation was more
pacific with foreign entrepreneurs who decided to fix their residence in the city
starting a business and the year 1935
was an iconic date because the Denomination of Origin Jerez-Xérés-Sherry
was declared official.
The sherry and wines was an iconic Andalusian product which
crossed European borders and Oceans reaching all the continents and main
markets of the globe.
The city is surrounded by vineyards as you might
expect and you are in that emblematic area called Sherry Triangle which
is identified with Jerez, Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de
Santa Maria, the second and third sites both located along the Atlantic
coastline.
It is there where you can find the best soil called Albariza
a very high quality of ground, ideal for its compounds and properties for growing
and planting appropriate and ideal Palomino
grapes for the production of the best sherry classified in different
categories depending of the processes of preparation.
The local cellars are numerous; in each of them you
can learn about the stages and phases of production and bottling of those
superb beverages. Among the most famous and prestigious producers are Sandeman,
Pedro Domecq and Gonzalez
Byass, among others.
You can visit those famous Bodegas and tasting
different kinds of those fine products and furthermore as relevant
detail to take in high consideration is that the sherry also reached an
increasingly popularity as a drink which has powerful health benefits.
It is truly amazing and great what that beverage can
do because it helps to reduce the risk of cancer, the
antioxidant property contained in that liquid is 100 times more effective than
vitamin C and approximately 25 times better than vitamin E.
All those qualities support the body to protect determined cells of the human body by damages associated with cancer and in addition a cup of it improves the
blood circulation. In addition as further feature it is used in the most
celebrated Haute Cuisine delighting a large range of refined recipes thanks to
its special flavour.
That fortified
wine is produced in different kinds and variety of dry styles, result of a process of fermentation of the grapes which
has a low presence of sugar and acidity and ranging from types as Manzanilla or Fino and they are processed to reach a 15,5 per cent by volume.
Those types of drinks have to be drunk pretty young
and also soon after the opening of a bottle because they lose their flavour
within hours. The Fino is aged in
barrels under a cap of flor yeast to
prevent a contact with the air and it is the driest of the traditional
kinds of those specific products.
There are also heavier
versions with a darker tonality such as
Oloroso which has alcohol levels between 18, 0 and 20% and a further one named Amontillado lighter than the previous
aged under flor and after that exposed to oxygen. They have to be allowed to oxidise as they age in barrel and the flor yeast is practically suppressed by
fortification at an earlier age.
Once the fermentation operation is ended the base wines
are completed with an addition of grape spirit to increase their final content
of percentage of alcohol.
The
Moscatel and Pedro Ximenez grapes produce
a sweet Sherry, after the harvest the raisins are dried for 48 hours in the sun and the final colour of the liquid has a dark
brown tonality or in some cases practically black.
Another version is the famous Cream, a sweet type produced since 1860 by blending different
kinds of Sherries and it generally includes in the preparation Pedro Ximenez grapes and an addition of
Oloroso.
Some
of the biggest producers and founders of celebrated brands were British or
Irish citizens. The famous Pedro Domecq was founded in 1725 by
the Irishman Patrick Murphy
and then passed hands several times and developed assuming its present name.
The company is located in a place called Machamudo
in the centre of an estate of 800 hectares packed by vineyards. The surfaces
which included the plantation of grapes linked to that company are huge, there are
different cellars for the conservation and one of them was named Mezquita,
the Mosque and it is as others considered a real monument or icon.
Pedro Domecq is
a notorious multinational wine company with also influence in La Rioja
other famed Spanish area which produces excellent fine wines the Doc which
found excellent markets in Brazil,
Argentina, Mexico and Colombia among others.
Another emblematic enterprise was established by an Irishman of which
still bears the name even if it is owned by a Spanish group and it is the famous Garvey founded by a family with
Scottish heritage with a descendant called Paul who officially created in 1795 that legendary Company.
The English Thomas Osborne was the
founder of a further prestigious winery
in 1792 which gave birth to
the Osborne y CIA which became the largest producer in the region of
wine and brandy,and a further one with a prestigious name and fame is Williams & Humbert founded in 1877 by Sir Alexander Williams and
Arthur Humbert.
The wine factories also produce the Spanish brandy distilled
wine similar but less dry than the notorious French brandy, the Cognac
which was the name given in the past.
Visiting those Bodegas is very suggested for a great Educational, ideal for Tour Operators and Travel Agencies
who desire to plan operations of wine and sherries tasting all year and it is undoubtedly
a brilliant experience for every visitors to know the history and the
development of that business which can create tailor made tours and special itineraries, a
resource more than interesting in terms of outgoing tourism plans including
those distinctive sites in a plan highly appreciated and extremely interesting
with the opportunity to taste and buy those products.
But Jerez is not just a city of wine; it has much to
offer to the tourists. That centre is also the original home of the beautiful Andalusian
horses, a place which is known to create a notorious Spanish breed and that horse is also called Caballo
Cartujano, the Chartreuse Horse.
The old origins
of such equine marvel are in many aspects controversial and a first opinion
tells that it is an animal of pure Andalusian breed but in another
historic supposition it seems that it is a direct descendant of a native Arab and Berber
horse which came to Spain with the Moors
in 711 when they crossed the Gibraltar strait.
Those former rulers introduced that animal during the
time of the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula and in the following centuries of
the occupation they used them to improve the local breed.
With the discovery of America some of those horses
were taken by Christopher Columbus on his second trip to the American
Continent and including the Conquistadores, the Spanish Conquerors
took with them some of those animals to Latin America and all that has helped to shape much breeds in those lands with new features and
qualities.
In addition some stallions were including introduced in central Europe during the times of the
Hapsburg House in the Danube Valley to create the notorious Lipizzaner. (If
you are interested I wrote a post regarding that theme about Lipica in
Slovenia)
That kind of horse is elegant, harmonious, noble, sensitive,
bearing, very clever and versatile, a very good jumper and considered primarily
an ideal example for walks, exhibitions and dressage.
You can visit in the city the famous Real Escuela
Ecuestre an emblematic School and an iconic Equine Temple founded in 1973 by Alvaro Domecq Romero, a site which
receives approximately 150,000 visitors
a year.
It has its headquarter in the Palacio Duques de Abrantes, a beautiful palace ended in 1868 in an
eclectic style boasting elements of Neo-Classical and Baroque architecture
designed by the French architect Samuel
Revel despite there is a version which gave the paternity of the project to
Charles Garnier who elevated the Casino of Montecarlo and the Ópera Theatre
of Paris and that complex is also well known for its botanical garden of immense beauty.
In that site you can admire a magnificent and
spectacular equestrian show consisting in a ballet called "Cómo
Bailan los Caballos Andaluces how the Andalusian horses dance.
You will be surprised by the performances of those clever,
talented and superb animals for all what they can do and their exploits are
simply impressive.
The show is a fabulous representation highlighted from
six to eight choreographies executed in sequence by the best selected
horses of the school with typical Andalusian music and riders wearing costumes
in the style of the 18th century.
The songs and the atmosphere of that stunning
exhibition with a full equestrian program is a great chance to admire in action
the extraordinary qualities of those wonderful equine wonders, certainly a great
attraction to understand and learn more the preparation of those quadrupeds trained according to the most prestigious tradition which never lost that value so consolidated,
still alive and deeply rooted to a secular history.
That school is also very famous for the preparation of
riders and horses for dressage, coach driving and apart the prestigious breeding
it is also specialised in the manufacture of horse harness.
The relevance and prestige of that activity permitted the city to host the World Championship of Horse
Racing 2002 consecrating Jerez de la
Frontera as a sort of Cathedral and iconic symbol about the noblest equine traditions.
Every year in the city is celebrated the Feria del
Caballo, the Horse Fair in which that animal is absolute protagonist in a
sort of gala which fills the fairgrounds with cars parades of horses and pure
breed individuals dancing to the rhythm of Flamenco and Copla
music and melodies.
The fun is ongoing and people in the streets enjoying
musical exhibitions, entertainment and dances tasting fine wines and having
delicious traditional delicious tapas. All that and more is part of that great
"Fiesta" which apart folklore is also a tribute and standing ovation
to pay homage to that animal which wrote indelible and historic pages and playing a
key role for centuries in the city.
Due to all that that magnificent horse deserved a monument and obviously there is one
dedicated to it consisting in a
magnificent sculpture depicting the art and the experience at the service
of tourism and horse lovers, a work
dated 1970 by the sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafé and wanted in that time by the mayor Miguel Primo de Rivera y Urquijo and it was placed in an urban corner titled Plaza del Caballo, the Horse
square.
Jerez de la Frontera is also known worldwide to be the
birthplace and cradle with Seville (in the case you are interested I wrote a post about
hat wonderful city) of flamenco having one of the oldest
school which created artists of great fame and prestige and one name over
all is undoubtedly linked to that art and the city is that of Joaquín
Cortés.
That famed dancer despite was born in Cordoba studied and lived for a period in the city and his name definitely
increased the fame of that Andalusian centre worldwide becoming a sort of
ambassador but the history of that artistic expression is much older and deeply
rooted in the local culture.
The city since
1972 boasts the presence in its boundaries of the Museo del Arte
Flamenco established to pay tribute
to that sublime art when in that year the Department of Flamencologia of
the University of Jerez de la Frontera decided to establish that
iconic Institution considered by many as a sort of temple.
It was later integrated in a distinctive complex
called Centro Andaluz de Flamenco inaugurated in 1993 and hosted in the Palacio Pemartin, a splendid Baroque
palace dating back the 15th century but modified later with a new image
and that exhibition contains a library
with over 4,000 books, approximately
1200 historic archives and it offers the chance to watch videos and listening music with also the presence of
approximately 15,000 records.
Whenever you hear a flamenco guitar playing
accompanied by dance movements and voices with passionate melancholy combined with movements of arms, hips, hands, face, transmitting humor and though of the
typical and traditional Gypsy
culture.
The soul is kidnapped by a special spirit as are the
origins of flamenco in which the most deep artistic representations of music, song
and dancing are tied with moods which can be related to happiness, sadness, nostalgia, love, memories, episodes or events of
something special with a wide composition of sensations, emotions and vibrations
that the artists feel and wanting to express in successions and sequences.
Including
sensuality is part of such artistic representations just like poetry or also a
theatrical exhibition and all that is the essence of several concepts part
of a distinctive chapter started since centuries ago linked to something of
evocative, mystical and also historic.
That topic is extremely deep also closely linked to
inspirations, in some styles including there is a kind of sublimation of sounds or a living replica of a reality which was later linked to folklore and
ethnic cultural traditions which become pride of a land.
Historically it is enough to remember the first gypsy performers already existed in the 8th century during the Moorish occupation and
they transmitted their music to those ancient rulers or in some cases there was including an intercultural exchange.
It was documented that there was a mutual
assimilation of several details such as common instruments, sounds, rhythms,
notes, voices from both sides and the
Cante Jondo, the deep singing is related to all that with originally the
same denominator between Moorish and Gypsy artists in terms of tone.
Year by year were developed new styles and all that it
is a special and captivating world all to discover and the flamenco in
its kind has always played a very important role as cultural instrument which
became in the course of its long history an exciting attraction conquering a multitude of fans that fell in love
with its music and dance.
It was mentioned in literature since 1774
when that kind of artistic movement linked the Cante, the singing to the Toque,
the guitar playing and in addition combining with them the traditional Palmas, the hand clapping to mark and
articulate the rhythm next to the Pitos, the
finger snapping and all that completed by the Jaleo,
the vocalisation and all that had to be melted in harmony with music and fantastically represented
in dance.
All that fusion determined that in the 19th century the flamenco was already classified and identified as official
folk culture of a specific ethnic group and in 2010
UNESCO declared it as one of the masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible
Heritage of Humanity and in addition today a theatrical danced show of high level is
classified and compared to a ballet.
Different are the styles and schools starting from the flamenco puro, the pure style
linked and rooted in the spirit to the oldest gypsy tradition and in dance it
is always performed solo.
The representation of the performance is
improvised and spontaneous related to the unmistakable talent of the artist
without a preparation of a choreography, there is a very expressive use of arms and hands and
a very rhythmic stamping of the feet and that technique is generally based on the innate and natural skills of the
performer and not with studied ballet steps or specific studies, in many cases all is transmitted generation by generation by masters as a chain deeply rooted in dynasties of dancers and singers.
It is considered as it says its denomination “puro” the original performance closest
to the start up of that art and also close to the most typical folklore celebrated
in events as weddings and relevant feasts.
The flamenco Nuevo,
the new flamenco dance is performed in
studied choreographies, there is a use of determined traditional costumes but with
a very sporadic use of shawls, fans and castanets and in some cases it generally received strong
influences from other styles.
In music joined
the use of new instruments such as bass
and electric guitars, piano, saxophone, flute and something related to all
that started since the 70s with José Monje Cruz well known as Camarón de
la Isla a superb artist from San Fernando considered among the greatest
flamenco singers all time.
He was
often accompanied during his performances by electric bass or guitar and well known were his collaboration with
the famed guitarist Francisco Gustavo
Sanchéz Gomes alias Paco de Lucia.
The Classical flamenco
is another style and in brief is that represented by the iconic figure of
Joaquín Córtes leader of that innovative school, a movement which keeping the original roots took
influences by the ballet with dancers who have to be very versatile with a
classical and traditional preparation and generally perfectly knowing both styles.
It is also performed by groups and companies, the arms are generally long and the
hip has little movements. The corporal language is very marked with a special
attention to the aesthetic image and the performance has as main mission that to impress at first
sight in terms of elegance.
The Festival de
Flamenco de Jerez is considered for
prestige and fame the best in the world by the international press and media
for its shows and outstanding exhibitions, it
is celebrated between February and March calling a big number of fans and
apart many people coming from Europe several
are the visitors from Japan and USA.
The Tablao
Flamenco is the establishment in which you can assist to a show and it
started to be popular in the 60s in particular in Andalusia and later reaching
various Spanish borders replacing in many cases the Café Cantante, many Tablaos have their own company or group performing daily and including many of them have a catering
service.
So at night you can go to a Flamenco Show with
dinner and enjoying one of those emblematic shows which will transmit you,
music and art by outstanding and superb artists and the Taberna Flamenca
could be an excellent choice, it is situated pretty close to the complex in
Calle Angostillo de Santiago at the civic number 3.
Nightlife in Jerez de la Frontera is very vibrant and
you can find many places to spend a lively evening and some establishments
pretty suggested are Los dos
Deditos, Bereber, La Carboneria and
Café Teatro La Guarida del Angel among others.
Since many years ago that superb Andalusian
municipality is also the Spanish capital of a very famous sport as motorcycling,
famous to be one of the most prestigious places with a long
tradition and classic stage of the Motorcycle World Championships panorama.
Jerez lives during those days incredible times of
passion hosting that so relevant Motor Sport, an event which every year calls a
multitude of fans who enjoy that unique appointment transforming the city in
another special attraction for the incredible atmosphere transmitted in that
time.
Home of several international sporting events are also
the excellent Golf Clubs, stunning places linked to that trendy sport
which continues to attract more and more people delighted by the stunning
qualities and features of those great golf courses.
Montecastillo Golf Club is a
masterpiece to enjoy that kind of activity, for fame it could be considered a
sort of Temple in Andalusia and it was opened in 1992 , designed by
an icon as Jack Nicklaus who
created there a fabulous 18 Hole Golf Course.
That Institution is a Mecca
for all golf lovers and a site hosting many national and international events
with a very valuable reputation worldwide, a great destination for those who love to play
golf in Southern Europe at a very high level.
The complex also hosted important football clubs which
chose that place to concentrate there to prepare important matches such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona but also
others from abroad as Manchester United.
The city also has historic dates and curiosities, it was the first Spanish city to have street
lighting while another one is that the Caja de Ahorros de Jerez was the
first savings bank established in Spain and in addition it is the seat of
the oldest Greyhound racing of Spain
called La Copa de Ina de Galgos with one
century of history.
Apart the famous wines and sherry, Jerez de la
Frontera offers a wide range of delicious gastronomic specialities linked to
the oldest great culinary traditions and its cuisine is among the most
appreciated in the country.
One of the traditional local plates is the Ajo
Caliente consisting in a hot mixture of crude garlic, tomato, bread and
olive oil with a final touch of pepper and hard-boiled egg.
You can also enjoy the Berza Jerezana 100% local
consisting in a stew prepared with chickpeas, beans, pork meat and vegetables.
Very famous is also the famed Cola de Toro a casserole bull tail in
sauce and equally popular is the Guiso de Cola de Toro, a meat stew
combined with chickpeas.
Excellent is also the exquisite Tapa de Champiñones al Ajillo con
Jerez consisting in cover mushrooms seasoned with garlic, pepper and
sherry.
Obviously very typical is the classic Tortilla,
that notorious potatoes omelet and very appreciated is also the
notorious Lomo al Jerez, pork shoulder cooked with a notable addition of
Jerez wine.
The varied kinds of Tapas also offer excellent Choco
Frito, exquisite fried squid, Pescaito Frito a popular plate of
fried fish, Esparragos Salteados in which the asparagus are cooked with
eggs and ham and try the Solomillo al Whisky consisting in tender pork meat flavoured by salt, pepper, garlic
with a bit of that beverage.
Notable are also the sublime Jamon Serrano, an
iconic cured Sierra ham and of very high reputation is also the Morcilla, a blood sausage often present
also in stews, appetisers, starters and used in the popular Cozido Andaluz, a kind of stew which has as main ingredient
chickpeas, lard and also pork meat.
If you want to enjoy the most delectable gastronomy
and at the same time living the local vibrant nightlife the street Calle
Larga Porvera is full of small traditional bars ideal site to taste a large
variety of tapas and you can stop there in one of them to taste a local
Andalusian cool beer Cruzcampo.
All that and much more make that city unique in its kind.
The results achieved by that place through the centuries have made that site a
pride of Andalusia and a dynamic site despite it has not the size of a big metropolis.
You can reach that city by plane, it has
its International Airport the Aeropuerto
La Parra situated at 8, 0 kilometres from the centre and it is connected to
several European Capitals and important cities.
It has experienced an important development in recent
years, nearly doubling the traffic making it the tenth largest airport on a
national scale and it is for traffic the third of Andalusia after those
of Malaga and Seville.
Once you landed there you can use the bus network Urbanos
Amarillos and travelling all around the city in a very easy way. Despite
that centre is not small, the beautiful historic core is pretty well
concentrated and compact and you could easily visit it walking.
Jerez de la Frontera is a destination which offers a
large fan of things to do, it is great discovering its history admiring its
endless monumental patrimony, it is beautiful to spend a lot of time walking in
its sunny streets and very pleasant is to sit in a Bar for a break during the
visit with a good glass fine wine and a delicious taste of Sherry at the end of
your meal.
It is always something of eternally wonderful to admire
the Alcazar at sunset transporting your sensations to the most evocative times
of a place which has a lot to offer in all its splendour making it a
destination to enjoy all year.
All that is highlighted by a city which never stops to
show its appealing image in all its spirit which elevated itself as a magic
site in terms of art, culture, architecture and trade which are all together a
magnificent combination of extreme relevance.
Planning a weekend, a city break or inserting that
city in a tailor made tour across Andalusia is certainly something unique which
will stay inside you forever. That superb heartland of history, flamenco, sherry
and horses and an endless list of more things makes Jerez de La Frontera a
special destination surrounded by a magic and incomparable aura simply
unforgettable.
Francesco
Mari
Recommended
Hotels in Jerez de la Frontera
Hotel
Barceló Montecastillo Golf
Hotel
Guadalete
Hotel
Itaca Jerez
Hotel
Tryp Jerez
Hotel
Palacio Garvey
Hotel
Casa Grande
Hotel
Sercotel Asta Regia Jerez
Hotel
Chanchilleria
Hotel
Villa Jerez
Hotel
Los Jandalos Jerez
Hotel
La Cueva Park
Hotel
NH Avenida Jerez
Hotel
Barcelo Montecastillo Golf
Recommended
Restaurants in Jerez de la Frontera
Restaurant
Sabores
Restaurant
el Rincon de Paco
Restaurant
La Carboná
Restaurant
bodegon El Patio
Restaurant
El Bosque
Useful links
