Tocina

TOCINA

by Saskia Mier

Tocina has Neolithic archaeological remains showing clear signs that it was inhabited in prehistoric times. The small hamlet of Los Rosales is included within its municipal. It has about 9600 inhabitants.

HISTORY

The archaeological remains located in different points of the area suggest it was first occupied during the Neolithic era. These remains indicate a continuity of human habitat to the Moorish era.

Presence of a Roman settlement can also be seen from archaeological remains known as Fuente del Mocho and Huerta Paco Pozo. A Visigoth settlement has been suggested from an excavation done within the town itself.

During Moorish ruling, Tocina was a district inside the province of Seville and when the Christian conquest reached these lands, in the middle of the thirteenth century, Tocina was an Alqueria (small rural community).

After the Christian conquest in the thirteenth century, Tocina was passed onto the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. In the fourteenth century, it was entrusted to a Knight of the Order with a series of privileges and prerogatives. There are hardly any documents preserved for the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

In the eighteenth century, the encomienda of Tocina is one of the richest of the Order in Castile. During the eighteenth century, the population grew and became a popular source of lamb's wool, trading as far away as Salamanca or Madrid. The crisis of the nineteenth, bad harvests and epidemics affected Tocina, as well as the War of Independence.

THINGS TO SEE


Iglesia de San Vicente Mártir
The church was built between 1703 and 1711 at the expense of the then Commander, Brother Jose de la Plata y Ovando, on the site of a previous church used as a hospital. The church has the works of Leonardo de Figueroa and Diego Antonio Diaz. Located in Plaza de la Iglesia.

Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
The chapel was built in the seventeenth century and contains works of, Manuel Pineda Calderón. Located on Calle Travesia de la Vera Cruz.

THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE

 

Paraje Natural La Playita
A natural area on the border of the River Guadalquivir consisting of eucalyptus groves and a recreation ground where the Romería de la Virgen de Fátima takes place, as well as, motor sports, water sports, paintball, etc. Located north of Tocina.

Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Fátima (Los Rosales)
The chapel's construction began in 1960, of contemporary architecture. Located in Plaza Pio XII.

GASTRONOMY

Tocina's gastronomy is based on natural fruits and vegetables, grown locally. Dishes include la alboronías (aubergine stew), espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas), pimientos aliñados (marinated peppers), cocido y potaje de garbanzos (chickpea stew), espárragos trigueros (asparagus), salmorejo (cold tomato soup) and gazpacho andaluz. For sweet treats, the bizcocho de naranja, made with locally grown oranges, is worth trying.

HANDICRAFTS

Local crafts seen in Tocina include flamenco fashion and horse driven carriages.

FESTIVALS


Cabalgata Reyes Magos

Three Kings procession celebrated on the evening of 5 January.

Día de Andalucía Celebrated on the 28 February.

Carnaval Celebrated the 13 and 14 February.

Semana Santa Holy Week.

Feria de Tocina Celebrated the 30 August to the 2 September.

Festival Local de Exaltación de la Santa Cruz Celebrated on the 14 September.

NEXT PLACES

The next villages to Tocina are Villanueva del Río y Minas, Alcolea del Río and Brenes.

 

 

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