 | ||
| Medina-Sidonia | ||
| region | Andalusia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 11.773 (2020) | |
| height | 337 m | |
| Tourist information Tel | 956 412 404 | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Medina Sidonia is a city in the Province of Cadiz in the Spanish region Andalusia.
background
Medina Sidonia rises very prominently at 340 m above the surrounding hilly landscape and is reminiscent of a small Tuscan town. The former country road from Chiclana to Paterna and Arcos de la Frontera "divides" the place. In the southern area you will find the old town below the castle, which was elevated to a Spanish cultural property in 2001 as an ensemble. The northern area houses the new town, in which there are also some hotel complexes. Medina Sidonia is because of its distance to the coast a bit off the beaten track, although here, in keeping with the millennia of history, cultural assets that are well worth seeing have been gathered.
Archaeological finds show a continuous colonization since the stone age. Phoenicians and later Romans pitched their tents here. The place experienced its heyday as after Reconquista(the Christian reconquest of the area from Moorish hands) the same name Duchy of ruled the entire region from here. The name of the city is eponymous for the dynasty of the Guzman family "El Bueno". The city name itself refers to the Phoenician period and means something like "city of those of Sidon". Because of this heritage, the city prides itself on being the place with the most monuments and cultural sites in the entire province and also does a great deal to preserve them and to increasingly market them for tourism.
The original meaning of arable farming and cattle breeding occurs here also against that tourism increasingly in the background, even if in the future host of tourists like in Ronda not to be feared. In Medina Sidonia, an important industrial-commercial complex has also arisen, which particularly supports the construction activity on the coast. They are particularly proud of the production of confectionery in the Moorish tradition, which is also sold across the country.
getting there
By plane
The place can be reached via the airports Jerez de la Frontera (approx. 35 kilometers), Seville (120 kilometers), Málaga (180 kilometers) or Gibraltar.
By train
Medina Sidonia has no rail connection. The nearest train station is in San Fernando, from where the connections to the long-distance railway network are made Cadiz can be realized.
By bus
The place is at the Transport network connected to the metropolitan region of Cadiz. There are several connections daily to Jerez and Cádiz via Chiclana or Puerto Real and San Fernando (sometimes with changes), and to Alcala de Los Gazules in the south. The buses leave from the bus station (Estacion Autobuses) on Avenida del Mar.
In the street
Medina Sidonia is very central to the road network Province of Cadiz embedded and therefore easy to reach from all directions. The motorway, which has been developed as a motorway, runs in north-south direction 1 A-381 from Jerez to Algeciras past the place, which is also a better alternative to the connection to the Costa del Sol represents as the near A-48 of Cadiz to Tarifa, their two-lane expansion at Vejer de la Frontera ends.
This is west on the A-390 at the 2 Chiclana fast (approx. 20 km) to reach and thus also the beaches of the Costa de la Luz. As a rural alternative to the motorway, the 3 Follow the A-393 northwards on narrow roads Arcos de la Frontera and 4 south to Vejer.
A spacious ring of country roads shields Medina Sidonia from through traffic and "distributes" these access routes. Its signage is not easy to grasp intuitively. The easiest access to the town center is via the CA-202 from the west at the roundabout at the junction of the A-390 to Chiclana. The small one (signposted) leads directly to the old town 1 Side street to the center of the old town.
By boat
The nearest sea ports are Cadiz and Tarifa.
mobility
The newer old town around Plaza Espana is easy to drive. There are several parking spaces in the alleys behind the town hall, as well as the one that is not far away 5 Southern approach to the old town. Some are signposted as "gratuito", but are "guarded" by pensioners. For a friendly, voluntary fee, they provide you with city maps and initial information.
Taxis are available from C / San Juan Tel: 956 410 139 and from Plaza Corredera Tel: 677 106 133
Tourist Attractions
The old town, located south of the main street, is divided into a more modern part around the Plaza de Espana with white facades from the 16th to 19th centuries. Century, the medieval core surrounded by the former city wall (recinto amurallado) further above and the former castle on the hilltop, within which the Alcazars the original settlement found their protective keep. After overcoming a few meters in altitude, you can easily explore the entire area on foot.
In the newer area around the Plaza de Espana
- 2 The baroque town hall(Ayuntamiento) at the end of the main square, Plaza de Espana (La Alameda).
- The built in 1871 Market hall3 Plaza de los Abastos has recently been renovated. It copies the Mudejar style and is back in operation.
- 4 Iglesia de la Victoria
- The three-aisled church originally from the 17th century. has a checkered history behind it, served as a monastery and hospital and burned down in 1873 and reopened in 1875. It houses some remarkable images, especially on the high altar that of the Virgen de la Victoria by Juan Martínez Montañés and the image of the Virgin on the outside of the tower.
- 5 Museo Etnografico Municipal, C / Altamirano 10 (two streets above Plaza Espana). Tel.: 956 410 013. The folk and local history museum shows exhibits of the agricultural life of the region, old photos and representations of the living life of both the poor and the middle class inhabitants of Medina Sidonia in the last centuries.
- 6 Discovered in 1969 but not uncovered until 1991 Conjunto Arqueológico Romano (Calle Ortega) you can visit the well-preserved remains of an ancient Roman underground sewer system.
The Recinto amurallado and the castle
- 7 Iglesia Santa María la Coronada (La Mayor)
- The Gothic style church, built from 1518 and completed in 1623 with the construction of the baroque tower, is the main architectural attraction and was declared a Spanish cultural asset in 1931. The three-aisled interior and the transept are adorned with ribbed vaults and star vaults. The plateresque High altar Reredos, a joint effort by Roque Balduque, Juan Bautista Vázquez el Viejo and Miguel Vallés is considered one of the most beautiful in the province. His 40 individual pictures mainly deal with the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary as well as the coronation of Mary.
- This church was also built on the foundations of the original mosque. You can still notice this influence in the entrance area, which is preceded by a patio. There are still influences of the Mujedar art especially at the portals.
- Today the church is only used for special services. Weddings, baptisms, Christmas mass and similar occasions. A cultural visit is possible every day, as long as there is not one of the rare ecclesiastical uses. The entrance fee is 2.50 euros and benefits the support association for the preservation of the church. A museum in the church complex is planned, some have already been implemented, but not yet opened.
- 8 Below the church is the monastery Convento Jesús, María y José, a round temple from the 17th century with remarkable dome paintings (18th century) and a beautiful high altar. It housed the Simi la Hebrea, a community of Jewish converts who had come from Gibraltar.
- The well-preserved in parts city wall with the 9 Puerta de Belén at the Castillo, the one that survived from the 10th century 10 Arco de la Pastora at the entrance to the old town in the Moorish style and the 11 Puerta del Sol on the northern slope.
- 12 In the barrel vault of the former riding stables Caballerizas del Duque from the 16th century are now used for exhibitions and other cultural activities.
- The castle ruins 13 Castillo impresses above all with its magnificent view of the surrounding area and the old town. It is rightly listed as an "archaeological district". Its history as originally a Roman fort, then an Arab fortress (see Arco de la Pastrora), which was taken over by the Christians in 1264 and housed the original settlement within its walls, can only be visualized with a lot of imagination.
Outside the old town
- 14 Ermita de los Santos Martires. The hermitage outside the city is considered the oldest in Andalusia (consecrated 630) and was built on and with the remains of a Roman villa. The image of the Virgen del Loreto, patron saint of farmers and ranchers, is venerated on the white marble altar. It was brought here from Italy in 1666. The difference in the columns and capitals that support the nave is striking.
activities
Local festivals and activities
Religious festivals such as San Antonio, Semana Santa (Holy Week), Cruces de Mayo and Christmas are also celebrated here accordingly. The carnival also has a special meaning here near the famous Carnival in Cadiz.
Of local peculiarity are special
- Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos big children's party on the eve of Epiphany
- The patron saint of the city, Virgen de la Paz, is celebrated on January 24th
- City festival Feria del Ganado (End of May / beginning of June) with live music and breeding cattle exhibition.
- Romería de San Isidro middle of May
- During the Jornadas de Puertas Abiertas At the beginning of December, otherwise private buildings can be visited on guided routes. The event is accompanied by a handicraft market.
- Also in December on the Sunday before Christmas, over 600 amateur actors perform on the occasion of Belén Viviente Christmas scenes as living nativity scenes. The spectacle, which has been staged since 2003, is enjoying increasing popularity and now attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
There are two municipal swimming pools, CUBIERTA on Prado de la Feril and VERANO (outdoor swimming pool) in Avenida de Cádiz
Outdoors
The Parque Natural de los Alcornocales stretches to the southeast, while the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Grazalema begins to the northeast. Here there is a rich field of activity for hikers, bikers or simply for nature observation.
- 1 Campo Abierto ((for example: open country / field)), Los Alburejos, A396, km 1 (Exit 31 of the A 381 motorway). In a small arena there are vivid demonstrations on the rearing of fighting bulls and Andalusian horse breeding. Afterwards the finca of the sherry baron Álvaro Domecq from Jerez can be visited.Open: from the end of March to the end of October, Wed, Thu, Sat (except Maundy Thursday).Check-in: from 10:30 a.m., demonstration from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Price: 20 €, children 3-11 years 10 €.
shop
Medina Sidonia rightly prides itself on its confectionery tradition. In the noticeably large number of bakeries in the old town you can find cakes and sandwiches that you can't buy anywhere else in Andalusia. Those filled with almond paste are famous Tortas Pardas, Amarguillos made of marzipan or gingerbread-like rolls, El alfajor de Medina Sidonia.
You can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products in the Mercado de Abastos market hall near Plaza Espana.
kitchen
Various tapabars and cafes around the town hall. We recommend the restaurant "La Vista" (see accommodation) opposite the church "Maria la Mayor" with a beautiful view over the old town.
There are also some country inns in the area (Ventas) to explore with often solid cuisine.
nightlife
accommodation
The range of hotels, guest houses, casas rurales and holiday apartments is not as overwhelming as on the coast, but sufficient. Because of the competition with the coast, some holiday apartments are architecturally remarkable and can be booked through the relevant portals.
- 1 Hotel Medina Sidonia (***), Plaza Llanete de Herederos (at the exit to the old old town). Tel.: 34 956 41 23 17. the most frequented house by visitors and still highly rated, 16 rooms in the city palace with a beautiful patio. The owners also manage their own restaurant "Cabeza del Toro".
- 2 Hotel Asur Al-Medina Wellness (****), Avenida del Mar. Tel.: 34 956 42 32 10. Higher-priced wellness hotel with a beautiful panoramic terrace in a central location near the bus station, but is often criticized for its gastronomic services.
- 3 La Vista de Medina, Plaza de la Iglesia Mayor No.2 (centrally at the Iglesia Mayor). Tel.: 34 956 410 069, Fax: 34 690 626 360, Email: [email protected]. Beautiful rooms, modernly renovated, in the center of the medieval old town with partly beautiful views at reasonable prices. Own pool.Feature: pension.
- 4 Camping Medina Sidonia (**), Hoyo de Santa Ana - Hacienda San Juan de la Cruz. (Below the eastern city limits and castle). Tel.: 34 670 589 907. Open: July / August and major events, otherwise on weekends.
- Posada Alegria (Spain, Guest house), Calle Manso 1, 11170 Medina Sidonia (100 m from Plaza Espaῇa). Tel.: 34 956 41 14 16, Mobile: 654 831 404, Email: [email protected].facebook url used
The Posada Alegria guest house is located in the heart of the historic town of Medina Sidonia, just around the corner from Plaza Espaῇa. The guest house was built around 1900 and was later restored to a high quality, the original charm of a typical Andalusian patio house was preserved. The building consists of 3 double rooms and 5 apartments with a kitchen.Check-in: 14: 00-22: 00.Check-out: 12:00.Price: 50, - - 120, - €.Types of payment accepted: Master, Visa, Amex, cash.
health
- Centro De Salud, Avda Andalucía s / n. Tel.: 34 956 49 55 91.
- Amor De Dios Hospital, Calle Amor De Dios, 4. Tel.: 34 956 41 02 54.
- There are 6 pharmacies in Medina Sidonia.
Practical advice
7 banks have branches and ATMs, most of them in and around Plaza de Espana
trips
Because of the good transport connections, at least with your own vehicle you can easily make excursions throughout the whole Province of Cadiz, the neighboring Seville, to Ronda or Gibraltar carry out, by bus also after Cadiz or Jerez. A visit to the La Donana Natural Park At most, it is recommended via its southern end near Sanlucar, which can be reached quickly and easily with your own car.
Recommended in the vicinity
- Chiclana and Novo Sancti Petri with the wide sandy beach of La Borrosa
- Vejer de la Frontera
- the Natural Park of Los Canos de Meca
- Arcos de la Frontera as the starting point of the road to the white villages of El Bosque, Ubrique, Benaocaz and Grazalema
- the adjacent natural parks Parque Natural de los Alcornocales and Parque Natural de la Sierra de Grazalema
literature
Web links
- http://www.medinasidonia.com/ - Official website of Medina-Sidonia
- Travel report of the first author
