CHICLANA DE SEGURA
by Saskia Mier
Chiclana de Segura is a small village situated in the north of the province, east of the Sierra Morena mountains and near its namesake, the Sierras de Segura. Its landscape is composed of olive groves, farm land and rugged, uncultivated areas. It has about 1,200 inhabitants.
HISTORY
The name of Chiclana derives from Caeciliana, which alludes to a Roman-era villa or farmhouse owned by Caecilius. Conquered by the Crown of Castile in 1226, the territory belonged to the Order of Santiago, who repopulated it. It was integrated into the priory of Villanueva de Los Infantes. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol
The church was built between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Constructed on an esplanade nestled in rock, its occupies the site of a former medieval temple. Throughout its history, this church has suffered significant damage. A fire caused by the French troops in 1811 devastated the temple and destroyed numerous altarpieces. In 1838, it was the object of harassment and barbarism by the Carlist troops. In 1839, a hurricane brought down the spire of its tower. Its only nave is rectangular in shape, 37m long and 13m wide, to which are attached four niche chapels on each side with altars, and at the back a presbytery with a flat head. The interior light of the temple is achieved through two modern stained glass windows in the side chapels dedicated to San Pedro and the Virgen de Nazaret. The interior features many ornamental elements such as the stone Renaissance-style holy water font, the image of the Virgen de Nazaret that presides over the altarpiece of the main altar and, from a somewhat later period, the oil painting of San Pedro, an anonymous work from the eighteenth century. The main altarpiece is dominated by golden colours and six niches housing religious images. Located on Calle Concha Albacete.
Palacio de la Encomienda
The seventeenth-century baroque palace is popularly known as “Casa de la Inquisición”. It is built around a central patio and composed of bodies with a regular floor plan, arranged at right angles that constitute the housing area. These two bodies are joined by a third, with an irregular, somewhat curved, floor plan. The courtyard has a unique gallery with lintels on two floors, partially covered, made up of Doric columns with footings and wooden beams. The façade of this palace is its highlight, consisting of a rectangular wall with two floors raised on plinths to counter the unevenness of the street. The portal is centrally positioned and consists of two superimposed bodies marked out by pilasters; the lower one, with a hollow and a semicircular door and a prominent keystone, is crowned by a split triangular pediment, while the upper one, where a balcony is shown with a flat lintel, appears crowned by a curved pediment. Located on Calle Real.
THINGS TO SEE OTUSIDE THE TOWN
Fuente de Abajo
The fountain currently has two beautiful pipes and a large pillar that is used to irrigate nearby orchards, as well as a watering hole for cattle. Located on the JA-9101 coming into the town.
Puente Mocho
This Roman bridge over the Guadalimar River divides the municipalities of Chiclana de Segura and Beas de Segura, its passage between the two municipalities being “tax-free” according to documents from 1575. It is constructed from stonework alternated with masonry and supports a section of Roman road which corresponds to the layout of the Via Cartaginesa. It is almost 100m long and has a rectilinear structure, supported by six eyes formed by half-barrel vaults made with stone voussoirs. It is called “Mocho” because it lacks the upper finish that acts as a railing and appears truncated, since its layout makes a kind of curve giving the sensation of being crooked. Located south east of the town on the JA-9100.
Hotels in Chiclana de Segura
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BUS SERVICE
There are various bus services from Chiclana de Segura. More>
GASTRONOMY
When visiting Chiclana de Segura, try local dishes such as andrajos de liebre (wild hare pasta stew), ajoharina (potato mash served with anchovies and clams), encebollado (potato and cod stew), conejo en salsa (rabbit stew) and migas (fried breadcrumbs served with pork). Sweet treats include mantecados (lard cakes), roscos de la cucharada (sugar doughnut) and roscos de anís (aniseed doughnuts).
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Chiclana de Segura are Romería de La Carrasca, Fiestas de Septiembre, San Isidro and San Marcos. More>
WEATHER FOARECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Chiclana de Segura. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Chiclana de Segura is located in the Town Hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Chiclana de Segura are Castellar, Arroyo del Ojanco and Sorihuela de Guadalimar.