STORIES AND LEGENDS

Cultural Heritage
Routes
10
Stories and
Legends
Costa de
Trafalgar
11
Sea, Tuna and Salt Landscapes
Start: Inlet of Bolonia (Tarifa)
8
9
Costa de
Trafalgar
23
2
3
4
6
Start: Guadalmesi Tower (Tarifa)
26
10
27
25
13
Our Villages
Heritage
11
12
30
29
13
14
15
16
17
18
24
19
28
Idioms and expressions originated at the Costa
de Trafalgar
Cachondeo, almadraba workers after finishing their hard work
Pedro Valiente
It is said that he takes his name from one of the king’s
warriors who first crossed the salado (salted) stream in the
Battle with the same name, defeating off the benameri army.
27
Vejer
Barbate and the Red Gold: Tuna
Distance: 20,9 km
End: Zahara de los Atunes
29
30
31 Barbate
Port of
Barbate
8
Start: Las Palomas Isle
Distance: 3,6 km
End: Sta. Catalina Castle
32
33
Tarifa
Port of Tarifa
8
Thanks to the fall waters at Santa Lucía mills, the earl of Villariezo creates an
electricity enterprise supplying Vejer and becoming the first town within the area
having electric light.
According to local chronicles its location would
be the place known as castle stones, current
location for the Barbate lighthouse.
26
Human presence is stated on these lands, at least from Upper
Paleolithic as given evidence by the paintings in the Cueva del Moro
(Cave’s Moorish). From then, all those who have passed by these lands
(Phoenicians, Romans, Muslims, Christians, etc) have been willing to
conquer it, since they recognized its strategic position between two
oceans and two continents; an essential asset to control and dominate
the access to the Mediterranean Sea.
Doubtless, the most popular legend to be told in this area is that of Alfonso
Perez de Guzman, “el Bueno” (the good) an how he defended heroically
Tarifa, to the point that before the menace of killing his first-born son who was
captured by the Moors, he launched his own knife to them from the tower, which
today is named after him, to carry out the execution.
Barbat Castle
25
Start: Caños de Meca
15
Electricity supply pioneers
Shot by a musket during the Battle of Trafalgar, his body was
put into a Jerez brandy barrel to avoid his deterioration on
the way to England.
Distance: 11,9 km
The history of Vejer, as it happens with other areas within this region,
is closely linked to safety and availability of water and resources.
31
1
14
Guzmán el Bueno
Admiral Nelson
23
End: Vejer
9
used to throw parties and zambras (gipsy celebrations). This is thought to
be the origin of the word “cachondeo”, since it was on the banks of the
Cachón river where these parties took place.
Start: Conil
Distance: 9,0 km
End: Port of Conil
34
16
4
7
3
Heritage
Conil
2
ARCHEOLOGIC
17
The first clearly documented evidence of
humankind in Costa de Trafalgar dates back
to Prehistory. A variety of discoveries bears
testimony to this settlement.
21
19
Baelo Claudia is a clear referent to get to know
the ancient Roman urbanism and city life at the
empire’s days.
DEFENSIVE
expression comes from the privilege given to defendants from everywhere
to gain forgiveness with the condition of staying in Tarifa for one year and
one day serving and defending the site.
The strategic geographical position of
Costa de Trafalgar controlling the
entrance and exit to the Mediterranean
Sea, made this land to be wanted
by everybody and this entailed the
construction of castles and walled sites
to protect the population.
Other idioms and expressions originated in this area:
Mata al rey y vete a Conil (kill the king and go to Conil),
which was a good example of how lenient justice was at the almadrabas.
Port of Conil
Conil is strongly linked to the sea. It has known how to get from the
sea sustainable resources historically related to fishery and nowadays
to tourism.
5
Tomar la vía de Tarifa (Taking the Tarifa way), the
Ir de la Ceca a la Meca (to go from the Ceca to the Meca),
the Ceca was the Casa de la Moneda of Seville (Royal Mint) to the Meca
which referred to Caños de Meca, the place were the almadraba was.
Conil, History near the Sea
6
It was home to anything up to 30,000 pigeons and
although some of them where used as pigeon post
when advertizing the arrival of ships or sending
news, they were mostly used to be transported and
consumed during long routes. In addition, their
excrements were also used to produce both fertilizer
and gunpowder due to its high nitrate levels.
Somewhere in the region of 1485 the wedding between the emir Mawlay Ali
Ben Rachid, descendant of the prophet and under the Moroccan noble alamis
clan, and a Vejer Christian women under the Fernandez family, was held. She
adopted Islamic religion and the name of Lal-la Zohra or Zahra. El emir lived
during his youth in Andalusia and coming back from his native country became
chief of the Yebala region. In 1471 he founded a new city to the north of
Morocco. This is Chefchaouen and not only are they sister cities but also
they are very similar.
14
This route goes by the youngest town of the area, although there is
evidence of old human presence since it was already populated during
the Palaeolithic (300.000-200.000 years ego).
Breña Dovecot
Lal-la Zohra
Barbate
Start: Ntra. Sra. de la Oliva Sanctuary
Distance: 114,4 km
28
The Conil, Vejer or Tarifa architectonical heritage considered
to be of special historical artistic interest and the Barbate
ethnographic wealth and other populations with a strong sailor
tradition make history and culture of this land play a leading
role in the touristic visit to Costa de Trafalgar.
Events and
Singular Characters
22
Tarifa: Southernmost South
Having the mark of the picturesque white villages of Cadiz and
the salty flour from the sea and wind of these coasts, Costa del
Trafalgar villages offer the visitor an exceptional scene where
enjoying some days of relax.
Legends,
Vejer
Vejer: Stories of the very old Besaro
24
Doubtless, in addition to its natural spaces and landscapes, its
villages should be highlighted.
21
This itinerary goes all over the territory where some of the most
famous battles of our history took place: Guadalete (or Barbate as it
is now believed by historians), Salado or Trafalgar, etc.
The coastline always needed a defensive system against the constant
assaults and incursions of pirates and attackers. Arabs built the first
beacon towers on strategic coastal locations. After, the Duke of
Medina Sidonia, “General Captain of the Ocean Sea and Andalusian
Coasts” orders to build several towers that not only had a look-out
function, but enabled to sight tuna. He enjoyed sole exclusivity of
almadraba fishery (Almadraba: tuna caught by an elaborate and ageold Andalusian technique using a circle of boats and nets).
22
12
20
End: Torre del Puerco (Conil)
This route proposes an approach to the origin of settlement in the
territory of Costa de Trafalgar through a tour over the most interesting
enclaves to know how those first settlers lived.
34
Port of Barbate
Watchtowers against Pirates
5
Distance: 90,8 km
End: Guzman Tower in Conil
Distance: 36 km
End: Inlet of Bolonia (Tarifa)
1
Start: Tarifa Castle
This route will enable you to know the great importance of Tuna in
this area and how its fishing, processing and trading have marked its
history, culture and landscape.
The First Settlers
Start: Palomas or Tarifa Isle
Distance: 43,8 km
aprox.
End: Port of Barbate
7
Castles, Fortresses and Battles
NATURAL
32
Conil de la
Frontera
Natural parks of La Breña y marismas, Los Alcornocales and el
Estrecho guarantee the preservation of this places.
Barbate
18
Vejer de la
Frontera
Equipments
The Costa de Trafalgar stands out due to its important natural
heritage. Fine sand beaches, coves and reefs, swaps and wet areas,
pine forests, pastor meadows are elements which make this place a
high-biodiversity site.
1
33
20
Heritage Interpretation
Centre
C/ El Castillo - 956 451 791
5° 57’ 53,297” W - 36° 15’ 14,463” N
Parque del Viento
Interpretation Centre
CONIL ROOTS MUSEUM
Plaza de Santa Catalina - 956 440 911
Parque Tres Avemarías - 956 451 736
6° 5’ 17,898” W - 36° 16’ 23,908” N
Almadraba Tuna
Interpretation Centre
5° 57’ 56,313” W - 36° 14’ 45,905” N
Tarifa
Baelo Claudia Visitors
Centre
Puerto Deportivo - 670 946 879
Ensenada de Bolonia s/n - 956 106 797
5° 56’ 3,541” W - 36° 10’ 59,329” N
5° 46’ 16,981” W - 36° 5’ 23,467” N
Cultural Heritage
Routes
Sea, Tuna and Salt Landscapes
7
The First Settlers
Heritage Routes
Tarifa
Barbate
1
Phoenician Necropolis in Las
Palomas Island
Near the necropolis a Phoenician sanctuary or temple may had been existed
where seafarers used to requestuire protection from the gods.
5° 36’ 33,775” W - 36° 0’ 18,463” N
Vejer
Conil
Los Algarbes Necropolis
Costa de
Trafalgar
2
Archaeology site from the Bronze Age, composed by ten artificial caves and
a large corridor sculptured on the sandstorm rock.
5° 41’ 57,697” W - 36° 4’ 30,618” N
8
This tower was built by the duke of Medina Sidonia to protect his powerful
28 fishery within the area.
6° 2’ 8,090” W - 36° 10’ 59,136” N
San Ambrosio Hermitage
31 Barbate
Some resources to be highlighted in Barbate
Old Fish Market
This is a building designed by the architect Casto Fernández-Shaw, in a clear wink
to nautical architecture. It has recently been restored as local culture centre.
5° 54’ 49,612” W - 36° 11’ 11,202” N
29 Visigoth hermitage built over the rest of a former Roman villa.
6° 1’ 4,190” W - 36° 12’ 27,990” N
Defensive fortress which was home to residential buildings, chanca or salted
fish factory and almadraba equipments store in Zahara.
5° 50’ 46,805” W - 36° 8’ 10,739” N
La Porquera Ranch-La Breña Dovecot
Chanca de Barbate
Historic typical Andalusian house or cortijo which has a closed and complex
9
built in the 18th century should be highlighted.
5° 58’ 23,710” W - 36° 12’ 34,694” N
Salted Fish Factories (Barbate)
Where salted and caned seafood products can be tasted.
5° 55’ 39,102” W - 36° 12’ 10,952” N
Almadraba National Consortium Premises at the former port of Barbate, in
front of which the almadraba ships are moored.
5° 54’ 50,592” W - 36° 11’ 10,379” N
Some resources to be highlighted in el Pinar de la Breña
Barbate Lighthouse
The lighthouse is also aimed at being a sun watch, indicating what time
it is thanks to the shadow over the circle of the daily arrow marked on the
square surface.
5° 55’ 23,697” W - 36° 11’ 12,889” N
Meca Tower
3
4
5
Human-shaped tombs sculptured on the rock of unknown origin.
5° 43’ 5,263” W - 36° 5’ 34,695” N
This is a great sculptured rock which may have been a sanctuary of
Celtiberian origin.
5° 47’ 23,099” W - 36° 5’ 45,486” N
Inside these caves there are a variety of paintings among which there
should be highlighted that of a pregnant mare and a stag.
5° 47’ 32,441” W - 36° 6’ 5,083” N
Rests of a turdetànus oppidum, there are inside the rests of an urban
settlement.
5° 45’ 52,159” W - 36° 7’ 27,001” N
Stories and
Legends
Field Map
Watchtowers against Pirates
Castles, Fortresses and Battles
20 It was ordered to be built by the Caliph Abd-al-Rahmán III in mid 10th
century over the ruins of a former Roman settlement.
5° 36’ 10,534” W - 36° 0’ 41,859” N
Pedro Valiente
It is located near the arroyo Salado Bridge at the exit of Tarifa. It was the
21 scenario of the Salado Battle.
For further information:
Located at the top end of the urban area, it should be highlighted by its
fortified patio at the entrance.
5° 57’ 49,788” W - 36° 15’ 10,533” N
Some resources to be highlighted in VEJER
La Segur Bastion
Cylindrical and defensive tower so built by the King and which historically
marked the dividing line between Conil and Chiclana.
6° 9’ 40,784” W - 36° 19’ 52,233” N
Defensive bastion with interior premises and double gate built to prevent any
intrusion by the prime door of the walled building.
5° 57’ 53,486” W - 36° 15’ 14,191” N
Fortified Walls
It probably dates back to the Middle Age. Its restoration was ordered by Sancho
IV. It is an irregular six-sided polygon with four access gates.
5° 57’ 52,598” W - 36° 15’ 15,330” N
Beacon tower which was built in the 14th Century and later on was
remodelled into lighthouse for navigation.
6° 8’ 24,094” W - 36° 17’ 43,955” N
Corredera Tower
13
Beacon tower of the town of Vejer, located on the El Palmar beach.
6° 4’ 17,161” W - 36° 13’ 55,486” N
Trafalgar Lighthouse
14
Defensive tower on the north face of the fortified wall. It was built from 1475 to
1480.
5° 57’ 49,389” W - 36° 15’ 15,655” N
It was ordered to be built by the Duke of Duque de Medina Sidonia 2 km
south from town.
6° 4’ 49,642” W - 36° 15’ 13,675” N
Vejer Atalaya or Marine Tower
Build in 1860 from the rests of the Trafalgar Tower located in the
surrounding area.
6° 2’ 6,409” W - 36° 10’ 58,565” N
Trafalgar Lighthouse
14
Build in 1860 from the rests of the Trafalgar Tower located in the
surrounding area.
6° 2’ 6,409” W - 36° 10’ 58,565” N
15
16
17
It was ordered to be built by Felipe II.
5° 36’ 34,542” W - 36° 0’ 4,254” N
With the objective of preventing enemy vessels from sweet water supply at
5° 31’ 18,740” W - 36° 2’ 11,709” N
Defensive fortress which was home to residential buildings, chanca or salted
fish factory and almadraba equipments store in Zahara.
5° 50’ 46,805” W - 36° 8’ 10,739” N
Jerez Gate
Access gate to the new fortified walls built after the Christian “reconquista”.
5° 36’ 15,960” W - 36° 0’ 50,911” N
Rose up in early 16th century, it has baroque and neo-classic elements.
5° 36’ 15,417” W - 36° 0’ 45,722” N
Santa Catalina Castle
Built during the 20th century’s second decade following the neo-Renaissance
style.
5° 36’ 25,426” W - 36° 0’ 33,636” N
Tarifa or Guzman el Bueno Castle
It was ordered to be built by the Caliph Abd-al-Rahmán III in mid 10th century
over the ruins of a former Roman settlement.
5° 36’ 10,534” W - 36° 0’ 41,859” N
St María Church
Temple rose up in late 13th Century inside the alcazaba over the mosque located
in the Medina. It is currently a multipurpose.
5° 36’ 8,046” W - 36° 0’ 41,626” N
San Mateo Church
Tarifa’s prime temple. Its main facade is resulted from a neo-classic restoration.
5° 36’ 7,147” W - 36° 0’ 48,263” N
Conil, History near the Sea
34 Conil de la Frontera
Some resources to be highlighted in Conil
Square Arc of the Villa
Wall and Gate ordered to be built by the Duke of Medina Sidonia to protect Conil
from the Muslim berberisco pirates incursions.
6° 5’ 15,571” W - 36° 16’ 33,721” N
Earl of the Cinco Torres’ House
Baroque house built in 1779 by Mr. Sebastián Sánchez Franco, earl of the Cinco
Torres.
6° 5’ 30,221” W - 36° 16’ 34,446” N
Mercy Church And Hospice
Some resources to be highlighted in VEJER
Vejer: Stories of the very old Besaro
Nuestra Sra. de la Oliva Hermitage
24
Built over the rests of a former Christian basilica, which was as well built
over the remains of a former Roman villa.
5° 56’ 51,028” W - 36° 13’ 21,996” N
La Barca de Vejer
25
Where the port of Vejer was located, since it was navigable towards that
area where there was a boat-bridge, in fact the zone is named after that.
5° 57’ 22,760” W - 36° 15’ 12,297” N
Santa Lucía
26
Vejer’s little town were we find waterfalls and an ancient Roman aqueduct.
5° 58’ 28,377” W - 36° 16’ 6,016” N
Segur Gate
Access gate to get into the fortified wall within the Segur defensive bastion. It
was known by “Puerta de la Villa”(Town’s Gate) in the 17th century.
5° 57’ 51,805” W - 36° 15’ 15,384” N
Sancho IV Gate
Access gate to the fortified walls, likely to be the oldest. In the past it was
known as “Arco de Naveda”. (Naveda Arch).
5° 57’ 45,253” W - 36° 15’ 14,879” N
Mayorazgo Tower and Bastion
Defensive building located at the western edge of the fortified walls. From the
south tower the meadows and Barbate inlet can be made out.
5° 57’ 44,870” W - 36° 15’ 13,599” N
Villa Gate
Access gate to the fortified walls. The current gate was built in the fifties (20th
century) over the original arch.
5° 57’ 46,746” W - 36° 15’ 12,754” N
Close Gate Arch
Guadalmesi Tower
19 the Guadalmesí river.
Octagonal tower near the entrance to the Castle, where the heroic deed by Mr.
Alfonso Pérez de Guzman took place. From then he started to be named after ‘el
Bueno’ (The Good).
5° 36’ 13,089” W - 36° 0’ 40,955” N
6° 5’ 22,258” W - 36° 16’ 28,786” N
Isla de las Palomas TowerLighthouse
18 Tower-lighthouse built over the former beacon tower from the 16th century.
Some resources to be highlighted in Tarifa
Guzman el Bueno Tower
Defensive tower ordered to be built by Mr. Alfonso Pérez de Guzman.
Peña Tower
Defensive tower of great singularity for being the sole one built over a crag
all over the Andalusian coastline.
5° 39’ 32,603” W - 36° 3’ 25,052” N
33 Tarifa
23 It has a gothic style and was restored in late 18th century.
Camarinal Lighthouse Tower
Beacon tower located at Cabo de Gracia (Gracia’s cape) to the North of
Bolonia Inlet.
5° 48’ 37,932” W - 36° 5’ 24,052” N
8
San Francisco Church
Guzman Tower
Tajo Tower
Beacon tower located on the edge of the Breña y Marismas de Barbate
Natural Park.
5° 58’ 22,327” W - 36° 10’ 44,144” N
Small island linked to the city of Tarifa by an artificial dam. It’s the
southernmost point in the Iberian Peninsula.
5° 36’ 33,775” W - 36° 0’ 18,463” N
22 Islamic double gate, the patio de armas (inner ward), living area and the
Castilnovo Tower
12
Tarifa or Las Palomas Island
32
Vejer de la Frontera Castle
Castle-Chanca de Zahara
Tarifa: Southernmost South
5° 37’ 35,864” W - 36° 2’ 31,749” N
Roche Tower
11
Tajo Tower
Beacon tower located on the edge of the Breña y Marismas de Barbate
Natural Park.
5° 58’ 22,327” W - 36° 10’ 44,144” N
Tarifa or Guzman el Bueno Castle
Puerco Tower
10
Beacon tower built to solve the visibility problems existing between the el Tajo
and Trafalgar Towers.
6° 0’ 49,313” W - 36° 11’ 40,407” N
Anthropomorphous Tombs
Ranchiles Sacred Crag
6
With the collaboration of:
Trafalgar Tower
30 structure getting adapted to the irregular land where is settled. The dovecot
Silla del Papa
© Editor: Asociación para el Desarrollo Rural del Litoral de la Janda Design: www.atclave.es
Roman city whose origin and later development are very linked to the
development of the salted fish industry and trade to North Africa.
5° 46’ 29,841” W - 36° 5’ 22,092” N
Castle-Chanca de Zahara
Cueva del Moro
www.visitatrafalgar.com
Baelo Claudia Archeological
Ensemble
Barbate and the Red Gold: Tuna
27 Vejer de la Frontera
Access gate to the fortified walls located in the barrio judío (Jewish quarter). It
was closed from the end of Middle Age to well into the 18th century.
5° 57’ 50,090” W - 36° 15’ 8,414” N
Baroque building built from 1775 to 1779.
6° 5’ 12,472” W - 36° 16’ 33,756” N
Santa Catalina Parish
Former Friars Minims Convent and Victoria Convent. From the 16th century and it
worships the sculpture of Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes (Our Lady of Virtue).
6° 5’ 17,497” W - 36° 16’ 37,966” N
Former St. Catalina Church
Built in the 15th century by the Guzmanes, it underwent important intervention
in the course of the history. It is called to be the prime cultural space within the
village.
6° 5’ 19,769” W - 36° 16’ 27,390” N
Chanca de Conil
Salted fish factory and boat and almadraba equipment store, which was also
useful as a wall against the sea.
6° 5’ 17,898” W - 36° 16’ 23,908” N
Fisherman Quarter
Typical streets and houses where fishermen used to live.
6° 5’ 30,221” W - 36° 16’ 34,446” N