Huelva Attractions
Huelva, chief town of its province, lies near the Atlantic coast of Andalusia (the Costa de la Luz) on the left bank of the Río Odiel, here 4km/2.5mi wide and navigable by ocean going vessels. A town on this site was known to the Romans as Onuba, and some scholars believe that it was the legendary ancient city of Tartessus (Tarshish). The commercial harbor of Huelva is one of the leading ports in Spain in terms of traffic handled, mainly due to the shipment of ore from the Río Tinto and Tharsis. The tunny and sardine fisheries and the associated fish canning industry also make important contributions to the town's economy. The establishment of oil refineries and other petro-chemical industries, with a consequent uncontrolled building boom, has led to a dramatic deterioration in the local environment.
The effects of the Lisbon earthquake of November 1, 1755 were felt as far away as Huelva, and much of the town was destroyed, leaving it with little in the way of historic buildings. Of the older buildings that survived the earthquake only a few churches are of any note.
The effects of the Lisbon earthquake of November 1, 1755 were felt as far away as Huelva, and much of the town was destroyed, leaving it with little in the way of historic buildings. Of the older buildings that survived the earthquake only a few churches are of any note.
Cathedral de la Merced
Huelva'sCathedral de la Merced (17th century) contains an image of ''La Cintra'' the town's patroness.
Columbus Statue
At the south end of Huelva at Punta del Sebo an imposing 34m/112ft high statue of Columbus guards the bridge over the Rio Tinto (1929).
La Concepción
La Concepción in Huelva (14th century) has two small pictures by Zurbarán; and Nuestra Señora de la Cinta, contains azulejo tiles commemorating Columbus's visit to the church.
San Pedro
San Pedro (15th-16th century) was built on the ruins of an earlier mosque, and was restored after the earthquake that hit Huelva.
Huelva Surroundings
Read More
Aracena, Spain
The resort town of Aracena stands amid olive and other tree plantations. Of interest in the area is the Cerro del Castillo and a 13th C church.
Palos de la Frontera, Spain
The road continues southwest from Moguer, running close to the Río Tinto, to the old port of Palos de la Frontera, now silted up and decayed, which provided experienced seamen for many voyages to the New World in the age of discovery. Columbus sailed from here on August third 1492 and returned here from the New World on March 15th 1493, and Hernán Cortés landed in Palos de la Frontera after his conquest of Mexico. The church of San Jorge dates from 1473.
Punta del Cebo
The return to Huelva is by way of the bridge over the Río Tinto, from which there is a view of the 34m/112ft high Columbus Monument on the Punta del Cebo.
Trigueros, Spain
Leave Huelva on N 431 and at San Juan del Puerto (14km/9mi) turn left into N 435, which runs north into the Sierra Aracena. Off this road on the left is Trigueros, near which, at La Lobita, is the interesting Dolmen de Soto, believed to date from the second millennium B.C.
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
