Chipiona

History and Overview

Chipiona is a town within the province of Cadiz and its origins date back to Roman times. The name ´Chipiona ´comes from an old lighthouse situated at the mouth of the River Guadalquivir, built by Quinto Sevilius, 40 BC. The lighthouse was built to warn ships of the large rock named Piedra de Salmedina. However, the rock has still been responsible for many wrecks.

The lighthouse standing at 69 metres high, it is the highest in Spain and the third highest in the world. You have to climb 344 steps to reach the lights. The lighthouse stands on the exact spot where the Roman lighthouse stood. The lights are so powerful that they reach 25 miles out to sea and on a clear day they can be seen from Portugal.

In 1251 Chipiona was reconquested by King Fernando III and in 1295 the castle was built. Today the castle is a monastery. Chipiona was hardly touched by the earthquake of 1755 and the town celebrated with parades through the town. This tradition is continued to this day on the 1st November, every year.

Places to Visit

- The Monastery of Nuestra Señora de Regla

- Nuestra Señora de la O Parish

- Playa Camaron (Situated at the East of the town)

- Chipiona Fish Traps (Walls built out to sea from the coast)

Festivals

- Carnival (At the beginning of March, Fancy Dress)

- Semana Santa (April)

- Romería del Pinar (Beginning of June)

- Fiestas de la Virgen del Carmen (13th - 16th July)

- Fiestas del Moscatel (11th-14th August)

- Fiestas de Ntra. Sra. de la Regla (5th-9th September)

- Procesión del Cristo de las Misericordias (1st November)