Places to visit: Carmona and surroundings

Originally known as Carmo, Carmona was a fortified point of defence in Andalusia. Julius Caesar himself said, ‘Carmona is by far the strongest city in the entire Betica province.’ It was declared a Roman municipality and had the right to mint coins. Along with Osuna and Ecija, it is one of the three most colourful and important Romanesque towns in the province of Seville. With its amphitheatre, Roman necropolis, its churches, palaces and convents, Carmona constitutes one of the most amazing, stately and privileged enclaves of Europe. It was granted city status in 1630 by Philip IV. Carmona is one of the oldest cities in Andalusia and, given its strategic location, has had many different cultures passing through it. You will find there are centuries of history to discover.  

Carmona is one of the oldest cities in Andalusia and, given its strategic location, has had many different cultures passing through it. You will find there are centuries of history to discover. The major sites of interest are:

• Alcázar de la Puerta de Sevilla
• San Fernando Plaza
• Market Square
• El Salvador Church
• Priory Church of Santa María
• Hospital de la Caridad
• Santa Clara Convent
• Alcazar del Rey Don Pedro
• Puerta de Córdoba
• Church of San Pedro
• Cerezo Theater
• Roman Necropolis
• Roman Amphitheater

Carmona is one of the most important gastronomic centres in the province. It is surrounded by a fertile plain, famous in Andalusia for the quality of its agricultural produce. There are plenty of good bars and restaurants in the town where you can find traditional dishes many of which are inspired by Arabic cuisine. Any vegetable dish is a good choice, although the most popular are chickpeas with spinach, gazpacho, alboronia, tagarninas, asparagus and stews in general. As for meats and fish, you will find the same extensive variety as in any Andalusian restaurant. The desserts also recall the Andalusian past; torrijas, cakes and rice pudding. A delicious puff pastry filled with angel hair known as English cake is also popular. Another highlight is the sweet Nevada.

• Mingalario. Calle El Salvador 7. Carmona.
• Bar San Fernando, San Fernando Square Carmona
• The Almazara, Calle Santa Ana, 33. Camona

Carnival in Carmona is famous for its liveliness and colour Holy Week in Carmona is a fabulous spectacle with brotherhoods processing each day in the typical Sevillian style The May Fair May: The Celebration of the Cross of May September: Agricultural livestock fair which takes place in the fairground 9 September: Nativity Day. A celebration of the Virgen de Gracia, the patron saint of the town includes a pilgrimage to the Hermitage 21 September: Feast of San Mateo which commemorates the reconquest of the city of Carmona. The celebration includes a pilgrimage. In the area around Carmona there are many other places of historical significance and interesting natural sites, notably; Ecija (53km) etc

In the area around Carmona there are many other places of historical significance and interesting natural sites, notably; Écija (53km), Osuna (67km), Sierra Norte de Sevilla, Cádiz (154km) and, of course, Seville (34km).