Ecija, City of the Towers and, because of an accident of geography, perhaps one of the hottest places in Spain, lies between Córdoba and Seville beside the River Genil, a tributary of the river Guadalquivir whose path runs further to the north.
Ecija is universally known as either Sun City or the City of the Towers, the first because of intense heat that is suffered by the area during the summer months and the second because of the many ornate towers that rise above the surrounding houses and can be seen for many miles around.
The City of Ecija lies on a fertile river plain between the river Genil that springs from a mountain called ‘Muley-hacem’ in the skirts of the Sierra Nevada and the heights of Saint Cristóbal.
Because of the huge variety of the archaeological discoveries that have been made here, it is considered to be one of the richest artistic and cultural centres of southern Spain.
Without doubt, its horizon of ornate towers that span many centuries of the history of Spain, make it one of the most beautiful corners to visit, and that in spite of the aggressiveness of the sun that purges the streets of inhabitants at midday.
Historically, Ecija doesn’t disappoint. Its original name, bequeathed by the Greeks, was Astigi meaning ‘land for the citizens’ but it was during the time of the Romans that the city achieved its maximum splendour.
During the time of Agustus it was considered to be the most important juridical centre or ‘Colonia Agusta Firma’ and, even today, Roman remains are being excavated all over the city, often preventing the construction of public works.
During the time of the Visigoths, Ecija became an important cultural and religious centre. Saint Fulgencio was named as the regional bishop of Ecija and his sister, Santa Florentina, founded the first feminine religious community in Andalucia within the Convento del Valle.
With the arrival of the Arabs, the city changed name again, this time to Estigga, or ‘rich city’. It became an important centre for the production of cotton and was also known as Medina Al-Cotón.
Captured by Fernando III in 1240, Ecija was shared between the victors of the campaigns thus creating many of the Spanish nobility whose ancestors still live in the area.
In 1615, Felipe IV awarded the town Señorial rights because it was the first city to defend the concept of the virgin birth of Jesus. The city was declared to be of National Artistic and Historical importance in 1966.
More information
http://www.turismoecija.com/
http://www.ecija.es/turismo/informacion/index.htm
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