Chiclana de la Frontera

Chiclana is situated 17.2 metres above sea level and has aprox. 70.000 thousand inhabitants known as Chiclaneros. 25 Km from Cadiz and 89 Km from Algeciras. Situated on the Cadiz Malaga A-48 main road (the old N-340). Easily accessible by bus from Cadiz and the Costa del Sol. Chiclana de la Frontera is on the Atlantic Coast and the Wine Routes. It is both a ruraland seafaring town, situated among beaches, salt marshes and pinewoods. It is an agricultural and craftsman's town, with good wine and medicinal water from the Fuente Amarga springs.

The roots of the town can be traced back 1303, when it was founded by Alonso Pérez de Guzmán. Nowadays, it has a typically Andalusian urban structure, with narrow streets and flower filled patios. Chiclana preserves the genuine traditions and customs of this part of Andalusia : the pilgrimages, bullfighting, flamenco, winemaking, the tapa before lunch.....are all part in the day to day lives of the local residents.

As far as its cuisine is concerned, its specialities include the Berza Chiclanera de Tagarninas (cabbage stew with snails) and Almond tarts made by the Augustin monks. An interesting visit is to the factory where dolls are handmade wearing typical Andalusian dress.

The island of Sancti-Petri , where the Phoenicians built the famous Towers of Hercules, is just off the coast of Chiclana . The Sancti-Petri lighthouse and castle were built on the tower's ruins in the 18th century. It was here that Manuel de Falla composed the music "Atlántida".

MONUMENTS:

The Church of San Juan Bautista , built on one of the gateways to the old city.
The Chapel of Santa Ana , built in 1810, with a large dome that can be seen from all over the city. The Church of Jesús Nazareno.

MUSEUMS:

The the Marín Dolls Factory Museum was founded in 1928. It is the best known of Chiclana's craftwork. Its internationally renown dolls are a typical symbol of Spanish tourism. The Municipal Bull Fighting Museum , dedicated to the romantic bullfighters from Chiclana of the 19th century and especially to Francisco Montes Paquiro.

BEACHES:

Chiclana and the surrounding area has traditionally been a summer holiday area. This is still true today, as can be seen by the many residential complexs that have grown up along its beaches:

• The Novo Sancti Petri complex has a grand hotel infrastructure that has converted it into the most important tourist resort in the province.

• Sancti-petri beach is excellent for windsurfing. Next to the beach are the Yacht club and a jetty.

• Golf Courses.

• The Sancti-Petri Marina.

The Barrosa beaches are 7 kilometres from Chiclana and are an important tourist resource set in natural surroundings. Sancti-Petri Castle and Island, which according to legend was the site of Phoenician Temple dedicated to Melkart (Hercules), is clearly visible from both beaches. La Barrosa beach has been awarded the Blue Flag for European Clean Water, together with the ISO 14001 Certificate in 2002 in recognition of its environmental management.