Huelva

History and Overview

The actual city of Huelva, dates back some 3000 years when it was named Onuba. Later, it prospered under the Cathaginians and Romans who used it as a base for mining. The Arabs renamed the town Walbah. In 1755 the town suffered heavy damage during the Lisbon Earthquake.

Tropical Depression Vince made landfall just off the coast of Huelva in October 2005, making it the first tropical cyclone to make landfall in Spain, but no injuries or damage were reported.

The local footbal team Recreativo de Huelva is the oldest in Spain and its foundation dates from 1889.

Today, Huelva is a large, sprawling and industrialised town with a population of 141,000. Heavy industrial plants line much of its Odiel waterfront and stretch far to the south. The city centre is pleasant and it is a convenient base for visiting the nearby Columbus sites or the Marismas del Odiel wetlands and the Coto Dónana national park.

Huelva claims to be the capital of Flamenco and several of the city's splendid old buildings and monuments remain, including the 15th century Church of San Pedro, built on the site of a mosque; the Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Cinta and, last but not least, the home of Christopher Columbus next to his commemorative monument.

The monument of Christopher Columbus guards the Rio Tinto. It was crafted by the American sculptress, Gertrude Whitney.

Wander around the atmospheric barrio Reina Victoria Alonso or visit the Alonso Sanchez park which affords attractive views of the city. Other points of interest in the city include the Muelle del Tinto docks, built at the beginning of the century to load Huelva's mineral exports; the Conquero lookout and the provincial museum.

Places of Interest

- Sevilla (Historical Centre & Great Shopping)

- Donana National Parque (Excellent Wildlife and Birdlife)

- El Rocio (Nearly a million pilgrims descend on the village on the 7th Weekend after Easter)

- The Algarve (Across the border in Portugal with its many beaches)