EL VISO DEL ALCOR
by Saskia Mier
El Viso del Alcor plays host to annual national art events and competitions, such as the Juan Roldan National Painting Contest. It has about 17, 100 inhabitants.
HISTORY
Its fertile land, combined with the favourable climate and its delimited geography, made the area a privileged enclave for many different civilizations that already since the Paleolithic era settled in the Alcores.
El Viso del Alcor was inhabited by the Celts, whom named it Bassilippo. During the Roman period it was called Visus, due to its excellent location to watch the surrounding land. In the time of Al-Andalus it increases its importance greatly and was given the name Alcor.
The Christian conquest was carried out by Fernando III and in the year 1371 was acquired by Doña Elvira, widow of Don Gonzalo Mejía, server of Enrique II. It later became independent from Carmona.
In 1496 the town passed into the hands of the first Count of Castellar, remaining attached to the county until the Constitution of 1812, by which the jurisdictional Señoríos are suppressed.
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María del Alcor
The church was built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, in Mudejar style. It suffered the consequences of confiscation and in 1936 was destroyed during the Civil War. Its interior contains several seventeenth century canvases and a Renaissance altarpiece. Located on Calle Santa María del Alcor.
Iglesia de la Merced
The previous Convento de los Mercedarios has now disappeared; however the Convento de los Mercedarios Descalzados del Corpus Christi is situated in its place and was built between 1604 and 1617 by architect, Diego Perez Alcaraz, at the expense of Doña Beatriz Ramírez de Mendoza. Only the cloister and stairs of the Convent and the church are preserved. The altarpiece of the church is the work of, Juan Cano, from the eighteenth century. Located on Calle Convento.
Casas-Palacios Señoriales
There are several manor houses in the town, built in the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century, forming the historic centre. These are located on Calle Real, Calle Albaicín and surrounding streets.
Torre del Antiguo Consistorio
The building with its tower dates the first half of the twentieth century, which replaces the former building that stood in its place. This tower is of the mid-nineteenth century and of Neogothic style with a clock on the front, overlooking the square. Located in Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
La Piedra del Gallo
A stone known as Piedra del Gallo, stood on the border of Mairena del Alcor and El Viso del Alcor. Residents used to spend a day and eat where the stone stood. In recent years, it was inside a private property, becoming inconvenient to approach it. Therefore in 1989 it was placed within a roundabout and landscaped. Located on Avenida Piedra del Gallo.
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE
Yacimientos Arqueológicos La Motilla
La Motilla is an archaeological site located in the municipality of Carmona. It is a man made tomb about 50m high from the year 1500 AC. It is visible from the Vía Verde de Los Alcores that passes just 150m from the tomb.
NATURAL AREAS
Parque La Muela
An extensive protected green area located a few meters from the historic centre of El Viso del Alcor, in the foothills of one of the most important archaeological sites in the region, known as La Tablada. It is rich in vegetation and a water spring descends from the highest part of the park, which is located next to the famous "La Piedra del Gallo" roundabout. This line of water concludes in a large shallow pool where there are numerous snack bars and abundant vegetation and shade for visitors. Several of the walk routes begin in the park.
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
Vía Verde de Los Alcores
The Vía Verde route follows the route of the Tren de los Panaderos (Bakers Train) along 25Km, between Carmona and Alcalá de Guadaíra.
Other walking routes include Fuente del Sol and La Tablada.
HANDICRAFTS
Traditional crafts include ceramics and fabrics.
GASTRONOMY
Popular dishes to El Viso del Alcor include menudo (offal), gazpacho, pan de el viso (locally baked bread), el ajo (similar to gazpacho) and rabo de toro (oxtail). Sweet dishes include torrijas (eggy bread) and pechugones (almond cakes).
FESTIVALS
Cabalgata Reyes Magos
Three Kings procession celebrated on the evening of 5 January.
Carnaval
Celebrated in February.
Día de Andalucía
Celebrated the 28 February.
Juan Roldan National Painting Contest
Celebrated from March to April.
Semana Santa
Holy Week.
Fiestas Patronales
Celebrated the 12 September.
NEXT PLACES
The next villages to El Viso del Alcor are Carmona and Mairena del Alcor.
Hover the cursor over El Viso del Alcor to see bigger map and click to go to the maps page.