Castillo de los Arcos
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| The castle of Arcos |
The castle was first constructed in the 11th century by the Moors
when Arcos was briefly a taifa (small kingdom) before being captured
by the Christians in 1250. The Christians rebuilt the castle as
part of their campaign to retain their hold on the town, which was
in a strategically important position for maintaining the border
between the Muslim and Christian kingdoms. The town's suffix de
la Frontera (of the frontier) was added at this time and denotes
this struggle for territory. Following the Christian conquest the castle became the home of the Duke of Arcos. The castle is now privately owned and is not open to the public.
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| The basílica of Santa María |
Iglesia de Santa María
de la AsunciÓn
The parish church of Santa María de la Asunción
dominates the Plaza del Cabildo. Its southern façade is topped
by an ornate 18th-century Baroque belfry, but the highlight is the
finely carved Plateresque doorway on the west side. Constructed
on the site of a mosque, the church interior is well worth visiting
for its exquisitely ornate Baroque choir stalls, carved in mahogany,
ebony and cedar by Diego Roldán, magnificent vaulting, a
lavish Renaissance altarpiece and an interesting mural.
Iglesia de San Pedro
If you follow the streets adjacent to the elegant
Parador, also on the same square, you arrive at another impressive
church, the 16th-century Iglesia de San Pedro, perched in a perilous
cliffhanger of a position. Inside is a gilded altarpiece detailing
the life of San Pedro and paintings attributed to Francisco de Zubarán.
Palacio de Mayorazgo
One of Arcos’s finest Renaissance buildings is the grand Palacio de Mayorazgo opposite the Iglesia de San Pedro. It has a richly decorated exterior façade in the style of the architect Herrera and beautiful interior patios, and is now used as an OAP social centre. Visiting times are Monday to Saturday 10.00-14.00 and 17.00-20.00, Sundays 11.00-14.00.
Convento de la Encarnación
In the central thoroughfare of Callejón de
las Monjas - a continuation of Cuesta Belén - is the 16th-century
Convento de la Encarnación, which served as a chapel and
a hospital before being converted into a convent. It has a remarkable
Plateresque doorway.
Convento de la Caridad
Built in the late 18th-century, this colonial-style
whitewashed convent on the Plaza de la Caridad has an ornate interior
and is flanked by several attractive courtyards.
Mercado
The town's market is housed in an unfinished church
that was started in the 18th century by the Jesuits, who were forced
to abandon it on their expulsion from Spain.
Hospital de San Juan de Dios
Near the Paseo de Andalucía is this former
hospital dating from the 16th century. Within the hospital is a
Baroque church with an unusual pine altarpiece, which features an
impressive Gothic figure of Christ.
Iglesia de San Agustín
Founded in the early 16th century as a convent,
this building became a monastery 50 years later, until the early
19th century when it was abandone. The church remained, however,
and the 16th-century statue of Jesus is paraded about the streets
on Good Friday.
Palacio del Conde de Águila
On Calle Cuesta de Belén is this 15th-century
ducal residence in gothic-mudéjar style with an elaborately
carved stone façade.
Mirador de la PeÑa Nueva
The Mirador de la Peña Nueva on the open side of the Plaza del Cabildo offers stunning views over the rolling countryside to the west. There is a webcam, http://www.ayuntamientoarcos.org/webcam.shtml, on the front of the Town Hall which points at the Mirador, ensuring that the watchers are also the watched.
Town Hall
The Town Hall has been in the Plaza del Cabildo since 1634. The tourist office is located here. Of interest is the stone doorway crowned by Archangel San Miguel, the patron saint of the town. Inside the Town Hall there is a painting of King Carlos III attributed to Goya. Visiting times are Monday to Friday, 10.00-13.30, reservations in the Tourist Office.
Jardin AndalusI
This is a modern small town garden in the Moorish style. The main feature is a small fountain and water trough. Some like this reconstructive architecture, others don’t. Worth crossing the street to take a closer look. Visiting times are Monday to Saturday 10.00-14.00 and 17.00-20.00, Sundays 11.00-14.00.
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| Moorish style gardens in Arcos. |
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