El Puerto de Santa María - Cádiz
El Puerto de Santa María is located in the mouth of the River Guadalete, in the centre of the Bay of Cádiz, to the south of Andalucía, specifically in the north shore of the bay, in front of and bordering on the towns of , , and .
The first historic references of go back to the Palaeolithic. Later, Phoenicians and Visigoths dominated these lands until the arrival of the Arabs in 711, who extended their settlement until the conquest by Alfonso X in the XIII century.
In the XIV and XV centuries, the fishing port was the main economic source of the area; its importance was known in the entire coast. This fame made that Colón took it into account and after reside some time in the Palacio de Medinaceli, had among his crew with many sailors known in El Puerto de Santa María.
During the XVI and XVII centuries, the fishing and trading port became SEAT of the Capitanía General del Mar Océano. About the middle of the XVIII century, it incorporates into the Corona de Castilla and achieves its maximum splendour. Its commercial activity attracts rich merchants who build enormous palaces, becoming known like the Ciudad de los 100 Palacios.
In the XIX century it is invaded by the French, with the arrival of the Cien Mil Hijos de San Luis who restore in the throne to Alfonso VII, it is signed by the Rey the Decreto del Puerto de Santa María.
After this period of recession, in the XX century starts the recovery of the commercial activity in the port that, together with the tourism and the wine exploitation, has been its main source of income until nowadays.
Monuments
Carabela La Niña
Casa de Los Leones
Castle of San Marcos
Old Convent of Capuchinas
Casa Cargadores a Indias
Iglesia Mayor Prioral
Botanical Garden of La Victoria
Monastery of La Victoria
Bullring
Route Sacra
Poblado Fenicito de Doña Blanca
Gastronomy
This town is famous because its fish, but among the dishes we have to emphasize the shrimp, the restaurants and bars known like cocederos are specialized in elaborating dishes of delicious rice and omelettes of prawns. We also have to mention the prawns, and the Seafood Cocktail is a very typical dish of prawns. We also can taste the salad, with tomato, onion, green peppers, and, of course, prawns.
On the other hand, we cannot forget the trees of the area, the fruit trees that give excellent harvests of apricots, pears, several kinds of plum trees, cherries, peaches, abrioles – that is a mixing of peach and Cherry, and melons.
The variety of products from here, and sea products is immense, prawns, king prawns , the Norway lobster, crabs, winkles, shrimps, barnacles, sea horses, lobster, the mussels from the isle and more, although we have to emphasize the prawns and the king prawns of this area are the most known.
How to get there
From Sevilla
From Sevilla you have to take the Motorway AP-4/E-5 and then in the 93.4 Km the exit 104 towards Puerto Santa María/ Puerto Real/ Algeciras/San Fernando.
Then you have to take the CA-32 for 5 Km towards El Puerto de Santa María.
From Algeciras
From Algeciras the interior and faster route is from the Autovía de Jérez to Algeciras. Once you get the toll road AP-4/E-5 you have to follow for 19.2 kilometres and take the exit 104 towards Puerto Santa María/ Puerto Real/ Algeciras/ San Fernando. Then you have to follow the above steps.
From Cádiz capital
You should take the road N-443 for 7.4 kilometres and take the exit 105 towards Puerto de Santa María/ Puerto Real/ Algeciras. After a connection section you have to take the exit 105A towards PTO.STA.MARÍA/ Jerez de la Fra./ Sevilla. You get the road CA-32 and for 4.8 kilometres it leads you to El Puerto de Santa María.
From the airport of Jerez
You have to exit from the airport and follow by the local road for 2.1 kilometres and connect with the Motorway A-4/N-IV for 17.8 Kilometres and take the exit 646 towards El Puerto de Santa María. Then you have to follow by the CA-31 during 3.7 Kilometres to get El Puerto.
Distances
To Cádiz 23 km
To Sevilla 113 km
To Huelva 202 km
To Jerez de la Frontera 14 km |
