Alcalá del Río, former Illipa Magna
Alcalá del Río is another town with a history tied to the River Guadalquivir. Nestled in the Guadalquivir Valley and surrounded by orange groves, its architectural heritage and varied landscapes will win your heart. Explore Alcalá del Río’s past by visiting the Chalcolithic and Tartessian site of La Angorilla or walking amidst the remains of the Roman wall that protected the great city of Ilipa Magna. Visit the historical religious buildings, including the Shrine to San Gregorio de Osset, patron saint of the town, built by the Catholic Monarchs that houses the remains of this Christian saint.
If you prefer to be outdoors, try your luck at fishing albur (flathead grey mullet) on the banks of the Guadalquivir, a popular sport in Alcalá del Río. The local restaurants cook this fish in a variety of ways. You have to try it pickled and fried, the local speciality.
However, to capture the essence of this riverside town, you have to experience its Holy Week, the town’s main festival. It has been declared an event of National Tourist Interest. Some of its confraternities are over 500 years old. The whole town dresses up for the most eagerly awaited event of the year.
Come and awaken your senses in this Sevillian town on the banks of the Guadalquivir.
Getting to Alcalá del Río
If you are travelling from Seville by car, the fastest route is the A-8006. You will pass through the town of La Algaba and continue along the same road until Alcalá del Río.
The town does not have a train station. However, Seville’s Transport Consortium runs the M-115 route that covers Seville, La Rinconada and Alcalá del Río.
Getting around
You can explore the historic centre on foot and enjoy the lively atmosphere in the streets. It is best to walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir and watch a beautiful sunset.
Reasons to visit
- Visit the Royal Shrine to San Gregorio de Osset, where the remains of this Christian martyr rest.
- Learn how to fish for flathead grey mullet, barbel or carp on the banks of the Guadalquivir as it passes through Alcalá del Río.
- Discover the importance of the Roman city of Illipa Magna at the City Wall Interpretation Centre.
- Come and experience the town’s Holy Week. You will understand why it was declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
- Enjoy the cuisine, with typical dishes such as albur adobado, albur en tomate or barbo en amarillo.
- Have a fresh orange juice, a local product transported to Valencia to be sold.
- Walk around the dam, the hydroelectric plant and the Winthuysen Gardens to grasp the magnitude of this impressive project.
What to see
Begin your visit to Alcalá del Río exploring the old town. Visit the City Wall Interpretation Centre to learn about the town’s Roman past, the great city of Illipa Magna. As you continue towards the Plaza de España, you will see the remains of the Roman curia and forum, as well as sections of the wall that has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest.
Before reaching the centre, you will come across one of the most important buildings for the people of Alcalá del Río: the Royal Shrine to San Gregorio de Osset, the patron saint of the town. The saint’s remains have rested here since the 15th century when the Catholic Monarchs ordered the construction of the chapel. Nearby, you can also visit the Soledad Confraternity House, home to a splendid Roman mosaic and goldwork from the Vera Cruz Confraternity House.
Head now towards the Plaza del Calvario to visit the Santa María de la Asunción Church, another significant religious monument in Alcalá del Río. This church is one of the most interesting Mudejar buildings in the province of Seville, in particular, its defensive tower, a symbol of the town.
Right next to the church is the Casa de la Cultura, home to an invaluable archaeological exhibition with pieces from the Neolithic to Roman times. To complete your visit to the centre, head towards the south to La Angorilla Chalcolithic and Tartessian site, where the town originated.
A pleasant walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir will lead you to the massive dam, a bridge and the hydroelectric plant. Visit the plant and explore the beautiful Winthuysen Gardens.
Places to visit
- Royal Shrine to San Gregorio de Osset
- Santa María de la Asunción Church and Mudejar Tower Monumental Site
- Casa de la Cultura and Archaeology Collection
- Soledad Confraternity House and Museum
- Vera Cruz Confraternity House and Museum
- City Wall and Ilipa Magna Roman Wall Interpretation Centre
- La Angorilla Chalcolithic and Tartessian site and necropolis
- Bridge, hydroelectric plant and dam
- Peñón de la Reina
- Winthuysen Gardens
Surroundings
Alcalá del Río is 20 kilometres from Seville, in the Guadalquivir Valley. The municipality has three districts: El Viar, Esquivel and San Ignacio del Viar. The Alcalá del Río Dam is the last navigable point of the Guadalquivir.
0 comments
New comment
The comments are moderated, so it takes a while to appear. If they contain offensive language they will not be published.