SANTA CRUZ DE MARCHENA
Santa Cruz de Marchena is one of southern Spain’s typical whitewashed villages, surrounded by plots of orange trees and vines. The Plaza Durcal and its neighbouring areas offer the most interesting historical and artistic heritage in the village. It has about 210 inhabitants.
HISTORY
Santa Cruz de Marchena originated in the Al-Andalus period. It was known as Haratalgima, which translates as “mosque district”, due to the location of the high mosque. Together with Bolodu, it made up the Area of Alboloduy. With the Christian conquest, it was one of the first mosques to turn to the Christian faith with the name of Santa Cruz (Holy Cross). More>
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de Santa María
The church was founded in the sixteenth century as a mosque. Adopting the same name as the village, Santa Cruz, it was one of the first mosques to be converted into a Christian temple. It is a Mudejar-style temple, with a differentiated main chapel and vaulted stucco from a later period. The main entrance is a lintel doorway with a semi-circular arch, crowned by a cornice with a gola profile. Located on Calle Granada.
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
Sendero Loma de los Beltranes
This is a short circular path starting and ending in the urban core of Santa Cruz de Marchena, running through the Sierra Nevada Natural Park. It is 9.8km long and has an estimated walking time of 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Carretera Antigua-Río Nacimiento
This circular local trail runs through the limits of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park, and for a stretch parallel to the Nacimiento River, formed by a channel of irregular water irrigation systems caused by torrential rains. It is 5.6km long and has an estimated walking time of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
GASTRONOMY
When visiting Santa Cruz de Marchena, try local dishes such as cocida marchenero (meat stew), migas (fried breadcrumbs with pork), arroz con conejo (rabbit and rice) and sopa de tomate (tomato soup). Sweet treats include tortas de hojaldre (pastry tarts), tortitas de Manteca (lard cakes), arroz con leche (rice pudding) and bizcochos (sponge cakes).
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Santa Cruz de Marchena are the Fiestas Patronales en Honor a San Agustín and Semana Santa. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office is located in the town hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Santa Cruz de Marchena are Alsodux and Alboloduy.