Chipiona | Cádiz

SEA VILLA

Located near the mouth of the Guadalquivir river and Doñana. The monumental legacy of the town is a faithful reflection of its genuine historical development, dating back to the Roman Empire. The castle (BIC) was ordered to be built by Guzmán el Bueno and completed by the Ponce de León family in the 14th century. It is completely crenellated and has pointed windows and a square tower.

Its most emblematic building is undoubtedly the sanctuary of Regla, which exudes a neo-Gothic air. Built on the site of an old fortress, today it belongs to the Franciscan order and houses the patron saint of Chipiona. Highlights include the imperial staircase leading to the 15th-century Mudejar cloister, the vaulted cellars, the walls decorated with Triana tiles from 1640, the museum and the library.

Other buildings of interest are the Church of Nuestra Señora de la O (16th to 17th century); the Chapel of Cristo de la Misericordia and the Santa Clara sanatorium (the first maritime sanatorium in Spain).

BIRTHPLACE OF THE FAMOUS ARTIST ROCÍO JURADO

Since the beginning of the 20th century Chipiona - birthplace of the famous artist Rocío Jurado - has been an important summer resort. From this period it conserves numerous beautiful recreational villas that give a very special character to its urban physiognomy. The promenades of the beaches of Regla and Las Canteras, lively and bustling, are full of terraces where you can sit and enjoy the view of the sea while tasting the famous local muscatel.

A leader in the cut flower industry, its beaches (Regla, del Camarón, Tres Piedras, Cruz del Mar, Las Canteras, Montijo and La Ballena) are the perfect setting for water sports, which can also be practised in the modern marina. You can also see the natural fishing corrals, where molluscs and crustaceans are caught in the traditional way.

And for a quiet day in the countryside, the town offers recreational areas such as El Pinar, home to the ancestral chameleon, which is very common in the area.