|
By Dee McMath
Benalup-Casas Viejas, in the Province of Cádiz,
is a traditionally agricultural town, whose economy and tourist
industry is enjoying healthy growth. It has been described as a
young town with a history and is right at the entrance to the Los
Alcornocales Natural Park, with the Barbate river running alongside.
It is also very close by the old lake of the Janda. Benalup is 110
meters above sea level and has a population of around 6,000.
It is visited by making a detour from the Los
Barrios to Jerez
A381 road on to the CA212 and then continuing on the Medina
Sidonia or Vejer
de la Frontera near the coast.
The name of the town comes from a castle built in
the times of the Muslim occupation. One of the main historic attractions
to Benalup are the primitive cave drawings in the natural caves
and grottos in the area, especially the caves of Tajo de las Figueras,
del Arco and Cimera, which were all declared as Artistic Architectural
Monuments in 1924.
Especially beautiful and worth a visit is the Cueva del Tajo and
the remains of dolmens in the same area. The rich historic wealth
of the cave drawings contrast with the lack of signs of life after
that time and up to the present day although there are signs of
a roman road nearby, which stretches from Medina Sidonia right up
to Gibraltar which would suggest that, due to the strong agricultural
and farming background indicates a supply route of great importance.
Then, during the time of the Muslim occupation, Benalup was linked
up with Medina Sidonia, again because of its excellent agricultural
produce.
Benalup is now known in the leisure and tourist
industry for its excellent golf course, the brainchild of a Belgium
entrepreneur. The course benefits from a water saving award winning
special grass treatment. The beautiful greens and fairways testify
to its success. The green fees are combines with lunch in the modern
clubhouse restaurant making it a marketing success as well.
Apart from some smaller, more modest hotels and
hostels in the area, there is a new five star golf hotel soon opening
in Banalup - The Fairplay Golf Hotel - offering all the luxury you
could wish for in one of the most privileged surroundings close
to nature. The hotel, due to open in 2005, will offer the very best
in golf, gastronomy, entertainment and spa facilities.
Places of interest to visit in Benalup are:
- The Castle and Tower of Banalup (12th to 13th
Century)
- Church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro (10th
Century)
- Las Cupulas Museum - Tel: 956 424638 - open Monday
to Sunday, mornings 11:00 - 14:00 afternoons 17:00 - 20:00
- Tajo de las Figueras Tel: 956 809049 Opening
times: Tuesday : 15.00 - 17.30 Wednesday to Saturday. Mornings
: 10.30 - 14.00 Afternoons: 15.00 - 18.30 Sundays : 10.30 - 15.00
Closed Mondays and Public Holidays
- Monastery
del Cuervo Walks by arrangement Telephone + (34) 956 424 129
top of page
|
