This massive statue, located at Punta Sebo where the rivers Odiel and Tinto meet, is often mistaken for the figure of Columbus. The statue actually represents a Franciscan friar of Monasterio La Rábida, who took Christopher Columbus in while he was planning his first voyage and waiting for confirmation of funding from the Spanish monarchs.
The Huelva carnival is one of the biggest in Andalucia and is known as the Columbian Carnival, in honour of Christopher Columbus, who sailed from Huelva to discover the New World. The Huelva carnival closed down during Franco's prohibition and it took a few years to start it up again, even after democracy overtook the country. It was not, therefore, until 1983 that this carnival re-started after a long sleep.
Located in the northern section of the Paraje Natural Marismas del Odiel, this 597-hectare nature reserve is made up of marshland and creeks.
Situated in the heart of the Paraje Natural Marismas del Odiel, the 480-hectare Reserva Natural Isla de Enmedio can be found where its name suggests, in the middle of the Odiel nature reserve. The isla (island) is in fact a series of islands, created by tidal activity in the Odiel estuary, and is made up of saltwater marshes.
Contemporary and graphic art are exhibited at regular exhibitions in the Sala Siglo XXI, part of the Museo Provincial de Huelva which also has remarkable displays of Tartessic, Roman and prehistoric archaeological remains as well as paintings from the 15th to 20th century.
For a quieter break, the quiet maritime city of Huelva contains various Roman and Phoenician artifacts as tourist attractions and is home to the oldest football club in Spain, Recreativo de Huelva. The pretty plazas and absorbing historical monuments ensure an interesting and engaging stay in the capital of the province of Huelva.
Andalucia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales) . Over the past five years shopping centres in Andalucia have become increasingly prevalent and in Andalucia today they form an integral part of most peoples’ shopping experience.
Like so many others, the Holy Week processions in Huelva are certified as "Fiesta of National Touristic Interest" and thus touted as one of the best in Spain (we'll leave that to each visitor to decide). Locals undoubtedly rate this as one of their biggest and best festivals (after the carnival perhaps?).
Huelva's capital city is home to just one beach, El Espigon. It is a relatively young beach, in that it was 'born' after works on the Juan Carlos I dock in the seventies. The 3 kilometre beach is located on a sand spit that can be accessed only by driving across las Marismas del Odiel wetland area.
Huelva's bus station is in the centre opposite the tourist office, at Calle Doctor Rubio, 902 114 494. Most services are run by the Damas or the Avanza bus companies.
The whole of Huelva, both city and immediately surrounding area, is imbued with the spirit of Cristobal Colon and his voyages to America. You can visit the monastery in La Rabida where he stayed while waiting for his request for funding to be approved by Queen Isabella.
Huelva's bus station is at Calle Doctor Rubio (Tel: 959 25 69 00) providing with regular buses to Seville and resorts along the coast. There is a twice-daily service to Portugal and the Sierra de Aracena iin the north of Huelva province and one bus a day to Cádiz, Granada and Malaga.
Information about travel and tourism in Andalucia, Spain. The city of Huelva. Huelva Cinemas.
Huelva's provincial museum, housed in a modern building on the Avenida Sundheim, has an interesting archaeological collection, with objects from the megalithic sites of La Zarcita at Santa Bárbara de las Casas and El Pozuelo at Zalamea la Real; Tartessian treasure from the necropolis at La Joya; and Phoenician and Greek artefacts discovered in excavations within the city. Moorish artefacts are also on display.
The principal shopping streets are the narrow pedestrianized streets of Concepción, Palacio, Pérez Carasa and Berdigón and the roads leading off this main drag. Sara Merino has a good selection of dresses for special occasions.
