LA PUEBLA DE CAZALLA
by Saskia Mier
La Puebla de Cazalla is perfectly placed between countryside and sierra, with its best known Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes which has been named a cultural point of interest. It has about 11, 200 inhabitants.
HISTORY
The history of La Puebla de Cazalla runs parallel to that of its neighbouring River Corbones, from its initial presence of man during the Paleolithic era.
There are numerous remains found on the banks of the river dating to the Paleolithic period, Neolithic period and even the Metal Ages. But despite this, it is not known that there were permanent settlements indicating that La Puebla de Cazalla was one of the bridges for communication between various villages which passed through the village. The ruins of the castle are a testament to the Al-Andalus period.
The first historical document of this population refers to the Repartimiento of Seville by King Alfonso X. After the Christian conquest, it passed into the hands of the Order of Calatrava, and later to the House of Osuna.
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes
The church dates to the sixteenth century, when Juan Téllez de Girón, Duque de Osuna, ordered its construction, when the fortress and Castillo de Cazalla passed to the House of Osuna. The process of construction was long and complex, negatively influenced by the continuous economic crises, as well as social and political events of the nineteenth century. Located in Plaza del Cardenal Spínola
Iglesia-Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria
The Convent has had many names in its past, not only Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, but San Francisco or de la Victoria. Its origin dates to between the end of the sixteenth century and beginning of the seventeenth century, undergoing restorations in numerous occasions during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Located on Calle San Francisco.
Ermita de San José
The chapel was built at the beginning of the eighteenth century. In the middle of the same century, its patrimony was increased with the incorporation of images, altarpieces and ornaments coming from the chapel of Santa Ana, which was destroyed in 1745. Located on Calle de la Ermita.
Conjunto de Cruces
A group of crosses dating from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, made up of a brick base built as a stepped pyramid, on which stands the three marble columns that make up the whole group of crosses. Located on Calle Victoria.
Ayuntamiento
The rationalist architecture of the Town Hall was built in the eighteenth century and was restored at the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. Located in Plaza de Andalucía.
Bodega Antonio Fuentes Zurita
The memory of the bullfighter, Antonio Fuentes, is located in avenues, streets and buildings all over the village. He set up two wineries, an oil factory, an aniseed factory, a pomace brandy factory and brought several areas of land. He enjoyed a luxury lifestyle which eventually led to him being ruined financially and the famous winery, Bodega de Antonio Fuentes, was remodelled for use as an occupational centre and hall of events. Located on Avenida José María Moreno Galván.
Chimeneas
La Puebla de Cazalla has a couple of distinct brick chimneys dating to the twentieth century originally used during the production of olive oil. The chimney belonging to the Cooperativa stands at 20m and is located on Avenida Antonio Fuentes. The other belongs to Molino "El Serio" and stands at 15m, located on Calle San Patricio.
La Fuente Vieja
The fountain of the water source dates to the seventeenth century. Parts of it have been restored over the years and the surrounding area to make it more of a feature in the village. Located on Calle Fuente Vieja.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo José María Moreno Galván
The museum was founded in 1995, and was the first space dedicated to contemporary art in the province of Seville. Under the shadow of the eminent art critic, who it is named after, it hosts temporary exhibitions of young artists and has a permanent collection of works by figures such as Picasso, Miró, Matta, Oteiza, Tàpies, Millares, Ginovart, Lucio Muñoz and José Guerrero, amongst others. Located on Calle Fábrica.
Opening Times:
Friday, 17:30-20:30hrs.
Saturday and Sunday, 11:00-14:00hrs and 17:30-20:30hrs.
Guided visits to be arranged prior to visit.
Price: Free Entrance.
Tel: 954 49 94 16.
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE
Hacienda Nuestra Señora del Carmen
The Hacienda dates to the middle of the nineteenth century, in 1858, and was used for agricultural and livestock activities. The mill is in perfect condition, as is the rest of the property. Located ½Km on the SE-457.
Museo Arqueológico y Etnográfico
The Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum is located within the Hacienda La Fuenlonguilla, a typical oil mill from 1858 that was in operation from the nineteenth to the twentieth century. The museum was inaugurated in 2010. Visits by appointment only.
Tel: 955 29 10 13. Located on the SE-457.
Castillo de Luna
The castle began as a defensive bastion of the Ibero-Turdetanos, back in the fifth century AC, eventually becoming a watch tower "Turris Annivalis" with the Carthaginians, 200 years later. Later, the Romans expanded the enclosure, acting as a defensive territory against the Barbara invasions. The Moors later used it as an Alcazaba, expanding the construction by providing a second defensive line. Some reforms were also carried out in the interior between the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The castle, then known as Cazaba de la Frontera, has great strategic-defensive importance from the middle of the thirteenth century until the end of the fourteenth century. Later, it was ceded to the Military Order of Calatrava by Alfonso X. Located on the SE-458.
NATURAL AREAS
Embalse de La Puebla
The reservoir collects the waters of the River Corbones which was built in 1994 for irrigation. Some areas are being adapted for camping and to provide facilities for water sports. Located 17Km southeast of La Puebla de Cazalla.
Pinalejo
An area of mountains spreading 9,378 hectares, the Pinalejo is considered the natural treasure of La Puebla de Cazalla, containing a rich Mediterranean flora of pine trees and oaks. The complex formed by trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants generate the necessary niches for the development of the typical fauna of the Mediterranean mountain. It is ideal for activities such as hiking, mountain biking, camping, environmental studies, breeding and hunting of the area and even taking advantage of the natural vegetation of the area for small picnic areas. Located southeast of La Puebla de Cazalla.
HANDICRAFTS
Crafts still produced in La Puebla de Cazalla are furniture making and ceramics.
GASTRONOMY
La Puebla de Cazalla has some great dishes to try including cocido, (stews made with chickpeas and meat), "papas aliñás" (marinated potatoes), gazpacho and tortillitas de bacalao (cod fritters). Sweet treats include tortas fritas (fried torts) and roscos de San Blas (sweet pastries).
FESTIVALS
Cabalgata Reyes Magos
Three Kings procession celebrated on the evening of 5 January.
San Blas
Celebrated beginning of February.
Carnaval
Celebrated in February.
San José
Celebrated the 19 March.
Semana Santa
Holy Week.
Romería
Celebrated the first weekend of May.
Festividad Virgen de las Virtudes
Celebrated in August.
Feria
Celebrated in September.
NEXT PLACES
The next villages to La Puebla de Cazalla are Osuna, Morón de la Frontera and Arahal.
Hover the cursor over La Puebla de Cazalla to see bigger map and click to go to the maps page.