Alcalá de los Gazules

Overview

Alcalá de los Gazules' was given an official historic - artistic status in 1984. This privilege was awarded in recognition of the town's eclectic examples of baroque and neoclassic architecture, as well as the typically Andaluz houses which give it an authentically local atmosphere. Perched on a hill top, this beautiful white town could be easily missed as you drive past on the recently completed A381 motorway between Jerez de la Frontera and Los Barrios but take the time to make the detour.

For those of you who are reasonably fit, you can walk up to the square at the very top of the town otherwise it is possible to drive up. Once there you can see great vistas across the mountains. If you are lucky enough to be there around lunchtime, head for the main square at the bottom of the town and pop into the Pizzeria there and ask for the 'menu del dia' whilst watching the locals go about their daily business.

History

At the time of the Muslim conquest the village became known as "Qalat at Yazula" or "Castle of the Gazules" and was handed over by the King of Granada. There are still some remains of the Castle from the time of the Arabic and Caliph reign. It was in 1264, when the city was won back by the Christians under the reign of Alfonso X (The Wise One), which was when its present name "Alcalá de los Gazules" was first given. Some years after Alfonso, Alcalá became the responsibility of the Duke and Duchess of Alba, who built churches and convents, such as the Churches of San Jorge and San Francisco and the Santa Domingo Convent, all of which you can still visit today.

Other historic monuments well worth visiting in the town are the Sanctuary of the Virgen de los Santos (5 kilometers outside of Alcalá) and the Fuente de la Salada - of Roman origin and built to allow the flow of a natural source of spring water.

Best Times to Visit

- Carnival the first week of March

- Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week)

- St. George's Day on the 23rd April - 'San Jorge' is the patron saint of the town.

- The town celebrates its fair the last week in August.

- On the 12th September is the Romería (Pilgrimage) of Nuestra Señora de los Santos. This fiesta dates back to the 15th century and is the most popular one of its kind in the province of Cadiz.