Sanlucar de Barrameda

History and Overview

After Sanlúcar de Barrameda was reconquered by King Alfonso X of Castile in 1264, it was again reconstituted in the 13th century, becoming in the 15th and 16th centuries one of the most important ports of the trade which connected the Atlantic with the Mediterranean. Sanlúcar also borders Doñana National Park and is known for its seafood and manzanilla as well as a popular tourist resort with various hotels.

Sanlúcar became a port of reference and departure for various Spanish conquistadors after the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus, who on 30 May 1498 left for his third trip from Sanlúcar. Another historical departure was that of Ferdinand Magellan on 10 August 1519, with a fleet of five ships under his command that left Sevilla and travelled south from the Guadalquivir River to Sanlúcar de Barrameda at the mouth of the rivers, where they remained more than five weeks. Alonso Fernández de Lugo, conqueror of the Canary Islands of La Palma (1492) and Tenerife (1495) and subsequent governor of these islands, was born in Sanlúcar.

Sanlúcar is divided into two clearly differentiated parts: the upper neighbourhood and the lower neighbourhood. Its important historic-artistic collection, located in the ravine that overlooks the mouth of the River Guadalquivir, is composed of palaces, churches, lordly houses and fortresses such as the castle of Santiago.

Sanlúcar is world famous, though, for the horse races on the beach, a true visual spectacle, they are considered the most ancient horse races in Spain and have their origin in informal contests organised by the owners of the horses that transported fish and seafood on the beach of Bajo de Guía along the first decades of the nineteenth century.

They are now held in August in two cycles of three days, depending on the low tide that leaves run on the fine sand. The fiesta has been designated an International Tourist Interest. As a complement, Sanlúcar also offers some of the best seafood in the world, its Exaltation al Rio Guadalquivir Fiesta and the patron saint fiestas if the Virgen de la Caridad in which the main streets of the city are covered with carpets of dyed salt.

The manzanilla Fair, held in honour of the celebrated local wine is more cheerful. Flamenco, seafood and fried fish washed down with good manzanilla await you.

Take the opportunity to visit the barbadillo manzanilla Museum, which in its 800 square metres offers wine tasting areas, a screening room and theme rooms for the traveller to learn about the grape harvesting process.

Sanlucar Holy week, which has been declared to be of national Historic Interest in Andalucia, is an explosion of fervour expressed through its twelve brotherhoods, which conduct a procession bearing a collection of beautiful baroque images of saints and which enwrap the alleys and hillsides if the historic centre city in a mystic spirit.

Places of Interest

- Jerez de la Frontera (Bodega Tours & Very Historical Centre)

- El Puerto de Santa Maria (Beaches, Restaurants and Nightlife)

- Cádiz (Historical Centre & Narrow Street Shopping)

- Arcos de la Frontera, Medina Sidonia or Vejer de la Frontera (White hill top towns)

- Tarifa (Surfers Paradise)

- Tangiers, Morocco (Day trip shopping and haggling)