FUENTES DE ANDALUCÍA
by Saskia Mier
Fuentes de Andalucía offers a wonderful museum known as, Museo Etnoarqueológico, where you can observe and appreciate archaeological remains from the first human settlements that inhabited the area. It has about 7,100 inhabitants.
HISTORY
Fuentes de Andalucía was formed in the nineteenth century by the union of the Señoríos de Fuentes and La Monclova. Human presence has been verified in the area from very remote times due to archaeological remains revealing the existence of Turdetani settlers during several centuries.
The town was re-conquered from the Moors around 1248 and in the distributions of Écija it is expressly mentioned, appearing within the term of Carmona, granted by privilege of Alfonso X El Sabio in 1255. The lands were divided between the Lords who had contributed to the re-conquest and between Military Orders whom had helped the King.
In 1606, the title of Marquess of Fuentes was granted by Felipe III to Gome de Fuentes Guzmán, Caballero de Santiago. By the middle of the eighteenth century the Lordship and title had entered the jurisdiction of the Count of Torralba.
The lands of La Monclova remained in royal power and were subsequently donated, as a Lordship, by Alfonso XI to Micer Egidio Bocanegra, known as Gil Bocanegra, seventeenth Admiral of Castile. The Cortes of Cadiz abolished the nobility rights and with them the civil and criminal jurisdiction over the town.
Later, the territories belonging to the town and the Señorío de la Monclova were joined in the same municipality, constituting the present municipality of Fuentes de Andalucía, a name that was already used in 1778. During the Civil War, despite not suffering any battle, it was the scene of El Crimen de El Aguaucho, one of the hardest episodes of repression.
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de Santa María la Blanca (Santa María de las Nieves)
The construction of the Mudejar church began at the end of the sixteenth century and finished during the eighteenth century. In this period, each of its façades was added, as well as the tower and extension. All these constructions gave the church the characteristics of late Baroque with a strong classicist imprint. Located on Calle Marquesa de Estella.
Iglesia de San José
The church was founded by the Mercedarian Fathers in the early seventeenth century, later occupied by the Salesian Fathers, and finally under the custody of the Archbishopric. Currently, it is being restored due to landslide damage. The building was seen as the centre of the town due to its dimensions and extraordinary, being an element of strong reference. Located on Calle Hermanas Sevilla.
Plaza de España
The main square dates from the sixteenth century and resembles the shape of a Roman circus. Its construction was aimed at giving greater emphasis and beauty to the entrance to the Palacio de los Señores de Fuentes, located in Castle de Hierro.
Iglesia Conventual de la Encarnación
The church was founded in 1620 by, Gómez de Guzmán and Catalina de Sandoval, Marquess of Fuentes. It was rebuilt in the year 1860, after a fire suffered in the middle of the century. It is said that Don Francisco Armero Fernandez de Peñaranda (General Armero and first Marquess of Nervion), interceded before Isabel II to request help for the reconstruction. Located on Calle Hermanas Sevilla.
Casas Señoriales
Fuentes de Andalucía as a few manor houses within the town all dating to the eighteenth century. One in particular on Calle Carrera is said to have the most beautiful façade in the province of Seville. The others are located on Calle Lora and Calle Fernando de Llera.
Antiguo Hospital de la Caridad and Iglesía de San Sebastián (Casa de la Cultura)
This building was once the Hospital de la Caridad, which had a chapel dedicated to the patron saint of the town, San Sebastián. The structure and composition of the building is in keeping with the local architecture of the time, and included a steeple that disappeared in the sixties. As a curiosity, you can see a small face that is carved under a corner tile of the building. Located on Calle San Sebastián.
Ayuntmiento
The Town Hall was destroyed by the Lisbon earthquake and in 1763 the decision was made to appoint two architects to restore it. The architect, Ventura Rodríguez created a Neoclassic design with a functionalist character, outside of any decorative addition. Located in Plaza de España.
Pósito
The current building was rebuilt in 1790 by Alonso Ruiz Florindo de Carmona. Currently it is used as a retirement home. Located on Calle General Armero.
Museo Etno-Arqueológico Municipal
The museum contributes to the formulation of a global ethic based on practices of conservation, protection and dissemination of cultural heritage values. The educational mission of the museum is complementary to scientific study. In May 2004 the new site of the museum was inaugurated. Located on Calle Fernando de Llera y Díaz.
Opening Times: Visits are to be pre-booked.
Tel: 954 83 68 18
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE
Castillo de Monclova
The Castle originates to the fourteenth century and has belonged to the House of the Dukes of the Infantado since 1837. It was then used as a defensive element against the Moors, and suffered the last Islamic invasion of the Benimerines. Subsequently it was a stronghold in the wars between Don Pedro and Don Enrique and between the sides of the Ponce de León and the Perez de Guzmán. After these confrontations, it became Castle-Palace of Señorío de Fuentes. It preserves the tower amongst other features. Located north of Fuentes de Andalucía.
Opening Times: Monday-Friday, 09:00-14:00hrs
Tel: 639 34 36 19
Fuente de la Reina
An archaeological site of Iberian origin and consists of underground water collecting galleries that lead to a cistern, also internal, from which the water flows down to the fountain. A building protecting the spring has recently been rebuilt. Located on Calle Fuente de la Reina.
Castillo del Hierro
The Castle is of Moorish origin with the possibility of belonging to more ancient times of the Islamic period. It underwent restoration from the fourteenth century to the fifteenth century. At the beginning of the fourteenth century it was granted by Alfonso XI to Alvar Pérez de Guzmán, and was later bought by Alfonso Fernandez. The castle is currently masked by constructions that are attached to its perimeter. Located south west of Fuentes de Andalucía.
HANDICRAFTS
The most traditional craft still seen today in Fuentes de Andalucía is furniture-making.
GASTRONOMY
Specific dishes to try when visiting are entornao, a sweet pastry filled with a cinnamon sugar, typically eaten during Carnaval. Also try pachocha, a mixture of bread, oil, water, vinegar and salt.
FESTIVALS
Cabalgata Reyes Magos
Three Kings procession celebrated on the evening of 5 January.
Fiestas Patronales
Celebrated the 20 January.
Carnaval
Celebrated in February.
Jueves Lardero
Celebrated the Thursday before Ash Wednesday.
Semana Santa
Holy Week.
Romería a María Auxiliadora
Celebrated the last Sunday of May.
Altares de San Juan
Celebrated the 24 June.
Velá del Carmen
Celebrated the Saturday before the 16 July.
Feria
Celebrated in August.
NEXT PLACES
The next villages to Fuentes de Andalucía are La Luisiana, La Campana and Marchena.
Hover the cursor over Fuentes de Andalucía to see bigger map and click to go to the maps page.