THE enticing city of Écija is located on the principle street which hyperlinks Sevilla and Córdoba, about half-way (50 miles) from both metropolis.
It stands on the banks of the Geníl River, so beloved of the poet Lorca. The Geníl rises within the Sierra Nevada, and wends its option to the flood plain of the Guadalquivir, as Lorca places it, ‘from the snow to the wheat’.
Écija, in summer time, just isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s highly regarded. July and August temperatures commonly attain 46 levels centigrade (116 Fahrenheit)
and even Andalucians discover it oppressive.
Écija is understood all through southern Spain as ‘the frying-pan’.
The economic system of Écija is predicated on agriculture (olives, cereals and greens), cattle (cows and horses) and the textile trade.
Probably the most distinctive function of the city panorama of Écija are the town’s Baroque bell towers.
In Roman occasions the city was at first often known as Astigi. Through the Roman civil struggle Écija stood ‘firmly’ along side Julius Caesar within the Battle of Munda.
In accordance with Pliny the Elder and Pomponius Mela, who each wrote within the 1st century AD, it was the rival of Córdoba and Sevilla.
In 711, Écija was conquered by an Islamic military on its option to Córdoba, assembly robust opposition from the inhabitants, who provided a 6-month-long resistance earlier than capitulating.
On account of its productive agricultural techniques and due to this fact capable of maintain a number of harvests a yr, Écija served as a meals supplier for each Córdoba and Sevilla.
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Town partitions have been demolished within the early tenth century as punishment for the native assist to the insurrection in opposition to Umayyad rule led by Umar ibn Hafsun.
The place was seized by Christians on 3 Could 1240.
The Jewish inhabitants of Écija apparently suffered the antisemitic revolt initiated after the assault on the jewry of Sevilla in June 1391, that unfold throughout Andalucía and far of the Iberian Peninsula.
The results of the 1755 earthquake (the one which devastated Lisbon) pressured a profound city renewal in Écija.
Though Astigi was probably the most full Roman cities to have been found, the town council determined in 1998 to bulldoze Écija’s Roman ruins, together with ‘a well-preserved Roman discussion board, bathtub home, gymnasium and temple in addition to dozens of personal houses and tons of of mosaics and statues’ and exchange them with a 300-slot automotive park.
An important church is the Convento de la Santísima Trinidad y Purísima Concepción (Convent of the Holy Trinity and Immaculate Conception).
It’s ruled by the Franciscan Conceptionists.
Popularly often known as Marroquies, it’s situated just a few metres from the Iglesia de la Limpia Concepción de Nuestra Señora. In 1582, the Marroquí sisters, Luisa, Catalina, Ana and Francisca, descendants of one of many oldest households of Ecija, determined to discovered a monastery of nuns.
The blessing of the brand new church and convent advanced occurred on Could 21, 1596. It was declared a cultural web site on November 17, 2009. The straightforward construction accommodates its unique angular belfry and a set of work, altarpieces, sculptures, and jewelry, that includes Moorish and Andalusian Baroque artwork.
For those who’re considering of overnighting in Écija (a pleasing interlude between Sevilla and Córdoba, for those who’re sight-seeing), you might do lots worse than keep on the Resort Casa Palacio Domus Astigi.
It’s very central, it has the basic ‘patio Andalúz’ flooring plan, and a pair sharing a room pays not more than €70 per night time (April costs).
The restaurant ‘Cien Vinos’ (One Hundred Wines) will be discovered within the Avenida Miguel de Cervantes. Its homeowners, Carmen and Manuel, insist on serving distinctive dishes with their private ‘stamp’ on them.
Something from a fast tapa to a sit-down meal is feasible, day by day of the week (early closing on Sunday).
From the terrace menu (they’ve separate lists for distinct sections of the home) we suggest ‘Lacoste of Acorn-Fed Pork’ from €12-18.
The easiest pork in Andalucía comes from animals ate up acorns. The delicate flavour of the ‘bellotas’ impregnates the flesh, giving it a luxurious style.
As for wine, we expect the restaurant’s identify speaks for itself!
