Landmarks of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
South of Portugal lies the Spanish province of Cadiz, containing the town of Jerez de la Frontera. The city is well known as the sherry capital, the Andalusian horse breed and for the traditional flamenco dance. And the climate of Jerez de la Frontera is also extremely pleasant. Together, this makes Jerez de la Frontera a great holiday destination for young and old. In the spring, the ‘Feria del Caballo’ is lavishly celebrated. This horse fair gets everyone on their feet and often also in traditional costume. All kinds of shows are performed by riders on horseback and there is a lot of drinking, music, laughter and eating. It is therefore seen as the most important party in Cadiz. At the end of the summer, the place is completely devoted to the harvest for making the delicious sherry. This is celebrated with the ‘Wine Harvest Festival’, which is accompanied by fun markets and even a fair. In the city you will see many traditionally dressed people stomping grapes with their feet, giving a performance on horseback, dancing flamenco or otherwise showing a piece of Spanish culture. In addition, you can visit a nice zoo in Jerez de la Frontera, experience the wine culture in one of the many bodegas or do you prefer a museum that allows you to delve more into the history of the region. In any case, Jerez de la Frontera has plenty to offer.
Top 10 things to do in Jerez de la Frontera
#1. Alcazar
According to Allunitconverters, the palatial Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera is one of the city’s most important monuments. The architecture from the twelfth century can best be described as Almohad or Arabo-Andalusian style as you see it a lot in Morocco. The current appearance was mainly obtained during the eighteenth century. The fort was so neglected that a considerable renovation had to take place to make it presentable again. The order for this came from the nobleman Lorenzo Fernandez de Villavicencio and Benitez. The Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera consists of a minaret, a mosque, Arab baths, the Royal Pavilion, a former pharmacy, the palace, a courtyard and surrounding gardens. The Alcázar is open to visitors.
#2. Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestra
The Andalusian horses ‘Caballo andaluz’ are famous worldwide. It even belongs to the oldest race horse breeds in the world. Many breeds are also derived from these Andalusian horses. It is therefore not surprising that the riding school ‘Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestra’ has a prominent place in society. The driving school was founded around 1973 and even obtained the royal title in 1987. International dressage competitions are regularly held at a high level. But most visitors come for the shows that are performed there. The riders are usually dressed in eighteenth century clothing and the music is mostly classically oriented. The horses even learn to dance.
#3. Cathedral of Jerez de la Frontera
The magnificent Roman Catholic Cathedral of Jerez de la Frontera was built in the twelfth century. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, considerable restorations took place. The title of cathedral was obtained in the 1980s. The Cathedral of Jerez de la Frontera is built in Gothic style. The front facade features a triple door topped with statues and baroque motifs. In the cathedral you can admire various religious works of art, such as the statue of ‘La Virgen Niña’ by Zurbarán. The dome of this cathedral is richly decorated on the inside and has several sculptures on the outside.
#4. Museo de Relojes
In the palace of the time ‘Palacio del Tiempo’, an impressive clock museum is located. Thanks to the Andrés de Ribera Foundation, the extremely valuable collection has now expanded to more than three hundred clocks from the Netherlands and abroad. The collection is therefore divided into seven rooms with titles such as: Patio Bienvenida, Salon Luis XV, Sala Azul, Sala Oro, Sala Púrpura, Sala Verde and Sala Aturo Paz. In addition, there are various other art objects and you can follow workshops. Fairs and parties are regularly organized in the museum’s hotel. You can also discover the history of sherry.
#5. Bodegas
In Jerez de la Frontera you can visit very nice and pleasant bodegas. Drinking a glass of Sherry is therefore part of the culture in this part of Andalusia. Only the wine from this region can call itself sherry. The name is actually derived from Jerez. It is worth recommending to visit Gonzalez Byass bodega. Through an hour and a half tour you get a look behind the scenes of a sherry producer who has been around for many years. Already at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Jerez belonged to the top of the wine industry. Around 1835, the Gonzalez Byass family started as a wine producer and grew to become a leader in the export of Tío Pepe Sherry. The grounds of this family now consist of a bodega including a building designed by Gustav Eiffel. Various sherries that are intended for export ripen here. In yet another building, the production process is explained step by step. And eventually you arrive in an attractive room where you can finally taste the delicious sherry. The tour naturally ends in style, namely in the shop. And eventually you arrive in an attractive room where you can finally taste the delicious sherry. The tour naturally ends in style, namely in the shop. And eventually you arrive in an attractive room where you can finally taste the delicious sherry. The tour naturally ends in style, namely in the shop.
#6. Flamenco
The flamenco dance style is deeply rooted in Spanish culture. Particularly those in the Andalusian culture. In Jerez de la Frontera there are several dance schools where you can participate for one or more lessons. During the Festival de Jerez in February/March you can even see this exuberant dance being performed in several places in the city. If you would like to attend a Flamenco show, there are also plenty of options. La Taberna Flamenco, Tablao Flamenco Puro Arte and Bodega Casa del Marqués are excellent starting points. Optionally, you can of course enjoy delicious tapas during the performance, perhaps accompanied by a glass of sherry.
#7. Estadio Municipal de Chapín
The stadium of Jerez de la Frontera is a popular multifunctional sports complex. It was inaugurated in 1988 with a match between Xerez CD and Real Madrid CF. Estadio Municipal de Chapín is used for football matches, equestrian events, concerts and many other sports. It can accommodate more than twenty thousand spectators, many of whom come from the region. Estadio Chapin is also home to football club Xerez CD.
#8. Museo Arqueológico Municipal de la Frontera
Right on the Plaza del Mercado is the most beautiful museum in the city. Museo Arqueológico Municipal de la Frontera is an archaeological museum with cultural exhibits, objects and paintings from, for example, the Neolithic period, the Roman Empire and Islamic and medieval objects.
#9. Circuito Permanente de Jerez
Formula I enthusiasts should definitely take a look at Circuito Permanente de Jerez. This race track is located in the middle of the sherry area of Jerez de la Frontera. Previously, Formula I competitions were held several times. The track is also used as a test track by many teams. In addition, motorcyclists and cyclists also compete on the track. Check the link below for the most up-to-date agenda.
#10. Montes de Propio de Jerez
The nature reserve Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales is located for the most part in the province of Cadiz. The seven-hectare Montes de Propio de Jerez is a small part of this and is located in Jerez de la Frontera. Studies have shown that this nature reserve contains several medicinal plants and other botanical values. The area is ideal for beautiful and adventurous walks.
