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Pretty whitewashed houses adorned with bougainvillea.
By Jo Williams
Some 80km north of Seville, Constantina is the largest town
in the Sierra
Norte Natural Park. Originally a Celtic settlement and an important
Roman town, it has lots of Medieval character particularly in the
maze of cobbled streets in Barrio La Morería on the hill
topped by a ruined Moorish castle.
In
the heart of Constantina is its 14th-century Mudéjar church,
the Iglesia de la Encarnación, which has an imposing tower
and Renaissance portal, the Puerta del Perdón, designed by
Seville's Giralda architect, Hernán Ruiz. It also has a fine
collection of 18th- and 19th-century silverwork.
The
fascinating Barrio La Morería is worth exploring with its
steep streets, pretty whitewashed houses and elegant 18th-century
mansions. Climb up to the castle for some spectacular views.
 Fábrica-Museo
Anís La Violetera on Calle Mentidero is a factory and museum
dedicated to anís, the aniseed-based liqueur that both this
town and Cazalla are famous for producing. It demonstrates local
traditions, employing techniques dating from the 16th century, of
distilling anís in a copper still that is wood-fired, using
holm oak. Try the speciality, crema de guindas, which is made using
cherries.
There
are a few places to stay in the town, including the three-star Hotel
San Blas, 955 880 077, with a pool, and a youth hostel.
The
tourist office (turismo) is located on Avenida Andalucia, 955 881
297.
North
of Constantina is the Cerro
del Hierro Natural Monument, a geologically interesting site
of a former iron (hierro) mine.
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