El Puerto is for friends"
El Puerto de Santa María is located to the northeast of the province of Cádiz, right in the area where the river Guadalete joins the sea, in the heart of the Bay of Cádiz. It is equidistant between the cities of Cádiz and Jerez de la Frontera. With over 22 kilometres of beaches, more than 3,100 hours of sun every year and an average temperature of 25ºC, El Puerto is a marvellous place to be whatever the time of year.
Because of the importance of the city during distinct historical periods that spanned many centuries, (it was the roman port of Portus Gaditanus and the Arabic Al-Qanatir before its foundation as the ‘Most Loyal City and Grand Port of Santa Maria by Alfonzo X ‘The Wise’ in 1281) its historic and artistic patrimony is worth getting to know.
Amongst the monuments that should be visited are the ruins of the Tartaric - Phoenician castle of Doña Blanc (VIII century b.c.). The castle of San Marcos (XIII century) is one of the most emblematic monuments of the city. It’s origins date from the Arabic époque and it was converted into a Christian sanctuary after the city had been conquered by Alfonso X. The Great church (XV – XVIII century) is rich in its display of gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture and art.
The city is also known as the City of the Hundred Palaces because of the great number of noble houses that were originally built during the American expansion in the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries. The city’s bull ring dates from 1880.
There are three main museums to be visited: the Municipal Museum which houses an impressive collection of archaeology and art by local artists, the Fundación Rafael Alberti and the Fundación Pedro Muñoz Seca where a detailed display of these sons of El Puerto is to be found.
Wine Cellars of Fino and Brandy
El Puerto is famous for its fine wines and brandies. A visit to one of the local bodegas is therefore a must. The area that forms the triangle El Puerto, Sanlucar and Jerez is the area famous for the denomination of Jerez-Xérès-Sherry which is famous for it particular flavour that reflects local characteristics. The Fino wines are represented by Osborne, Terry, 501, Grant and Gutiérrez Colosía although the cellars of Caballero y Obregón musn’t be excluded.
Gastronomy
If anything defines El Puerto well it’s the great food that can be found within the municipal boundaries. The gastronomy of El Puerto is founded principally of sea food and next the ubiquitous ‘fried fish’ we can find stews and soups such as the la Raya made with fried bread, las Caballas or Lenguados con fideos (a sort of pasta), the Caldillo de Perro (sea food soup with fish and fruit savour) and, of course, shell fish. There is a huge, almost unending selection of restaurants and bars from which the visitor can choose to sample the gastronomic delights of our city. Of particular note is the restaurant El Romerijo, (www.romerijo.com ). With more than 30 species of fish on display this is one of the most popular places to enjoy the best of El Puerto.
Fiestas
As the weather is seldom ugly, fiestas are never far away from the minds of the inhabitants. The Spring Feria and the Fino Wine Festival are amongst the most popular of the region. The wine mixes well with the friendship displayed by the locals and the streets become filled with the colours, sounds and seasonal smells of Spring. Unlike the Feria of Seville, where only invited guests are permitted into the casetas, or little houses, that spring up around the ground of the feria, in El Puerto, everyone is welcome to, enter, dance, sing and participate.
There are other festivals throughout the year. The Carnival and Semana Santa, the Virgen del Carmen, Patron Saint of Sailors - which is celebrated on the 16th July includes ornate processions and the Virgen de los Milagros – Patron Saint of the City - offers large processions throughout the centre of the city on a carpet of salt, on the 8th of September.
The Beaches of El Puerto
The beaches of El Puerto extend for nearly 22 kilometres along the coastline. They are renowned for their fine, golden sand and clean waters. All enjoy the top European classification of ‘Blue Flag’ which designates especially clean coastlines.
The river Guadalete, which flows out to the sea from El Puerto, has, on its left bank, Valdelagrana and Levante, the first urban and the second virgin and a natural parkland which forms part of the Natural Park of the Bay of Cádiz. On the right side of the river, the most central beach is La Puntilla and the port of Puerto Sherry. Beaches along the eastern coast include: La Muralla, La Calita, Santa Catalina and Fuenterrabía.
Text and images provided by :
Concejalía de Turismo y Promoción de la Ciudad de El Puerto de Santa Maria
Más información: http://www.turismoelpuerto.com
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