Ayamonte & Isla Canela
“Gateway to Spain” but, until the opening in 1992 of the bridge from Spain to Portugal, a rather clogged gateway, now liberated from the traffic. In the 1980s it was estimated that around 500,000 cars passed through for the ferry each year! Around 16,000 inhabitants, with a long standing commercial and fishing history and significant artistic heritage. Ayamonte Council has a useful web site with some tourist information in English (though you might recognise some of the material!)
Important buildings and sights include
Temple of San Francisco
Church of El Salvador
Church/Hermitage of San Sebastián
Convent of Santa Clara
Temple of La Merced
Church of Beata Angela De La Cruz
Socorro Chapel and "Casa Cuna"
Church Of Saint Antonio De Padua
San Antonio Chapel
Church Of Nuestra Senora De Las Angustias
San Vincente
House Museum Soledad
Marquis of Ayamonte's Palace
La Laguna Square
City Hall
Bullring
Yachting Harbour Of Ayamonte. La Dársena
La Casa Grande
Paseo De La Rivera
and on Isla Canela
Temple of San Francisco
The Temple of San Francisco is thought to have been part of an old Franciscan convent founded in 1417 by the house of Bejar, though 1527 is the official founding date. After the earthquake of Lisboa in 1755, and subsequently the sale of Church lands of Mendizabal, the convent closed. It had held the Sacred Relic of Saint Sudario, which was brought by Francisco de Guzmán, Marquis of Ayamonte in 1578. Only the central nave remains of what was once a beautiful church of three naves. The ceiling is made of wood of polychromed Mudejar in a group of lace, typical of the Sevillian school of the XIV century, with Mudejar style dominating the main nave and presbytery. The High altarpiece dates from XVI century. At both sides of the presbytery, there are paintings which represent the Marquises of Ayamonte and the house of Béjar's shields of arms. The porch is of Renaissance style (XVI century). The temple is located next to the Marquis of Ayamonte's Palace, and was declared a National Historic Artistic Monument in 1935.
Opening Hours are 30 mins before Mass
which in Winter is Sunday at 19.00 and in Summer is Sunday at 20.00.
Church of El Salvador
It was founded around 1400, although previously that area had been used for the worship of Saint Mateo. Its structure is quite wide, and of Mudejar style. After the reconquest in 1492, Islamic communities integrated into the Christian territories, with some artistic elements being carried over. Mudejar is the art which was developed from the 12th century onwards, by both Moslem and Christians who enjoyed the beauty of this Islamic art, bringing together both styles with ornamental motives and material as used in Al-andalus#. The church consists of a rectangular floor plan with three parallel naves, with the central being the highest. The naves are separated by pointed arches of Mudejar style, sitting on rectangular pillars. The way to the Main Chapel is through a triumphal arch. The presbytery is reached by three altar steps, and covered by a semicircular dome without carpentry, which links to the lateral Chapels by means of diminished arches. The Main Altarpiece dates from 1740, in a Churrigueresque style by the Sevillian craftsmen José Fernando and Francisco José Medinilla. On the left side, we can find the Chapel of Saint José, the Chapel on the right has an altar piece from the second half of XVIII century. The tower was built in 1660.
Opening Hours are 30 mins before Mass
which in Winter is Mon – Wed, Fri - Sat at 7.00 & 19.00 and Sunday & Festivals at 11.00,
and in Summer is Mon – Wed, Fri - Sat at 20.00 and Sunday & Festivals at 10.00.
# Al-Andalus is the Arabic name given to the Iberian Peninsula by its Muslim conquerors; it refers to both the Emirate (ca 750–929) and Caliphate of Cordoba (929–1031) and its successor kingdoms specifically, and in general to territories under Muslim rule (711–1492). As Iberia was being slowly regained by Christians fighting from the north, in the long process known as the Reconquista, the name "al-Andalus" came to refer only to the Muslim-dominated lands of the South, the former Roman Hispania Baetica, within an ever-southward-moving frontier.
Church/Hermitage of San Sebastián
In 1552, the Emperor Carlos I of Spain and V of Germany ordered the building of hermitages in all the cities and villages across the Kingdom in honour of San Sebastián. This hermitage is located in the La Villa quarter, at the end of San Sebastián Street and at the end of "Callejón Largo" of San Francisco. It consists of three stone naves, with the centre nave rising above the others. They are separated by three pointed arches over brick frames. It had a chapel in honour of Nuestra Senora de la Encarnación, opposite to the sacristy. Built by the master-builder, Pedro Núñez, in this hermitage people venerated a relic consisting of a minor Saint's bone. The gradual decline of the building lead to the closing of the hermitage. The relics and the images were moved to the El Salvador Church when it was restored in 1935. During the Spanish Civil war, San Sebastián was mostly destroyed, but was subsequently restored and opened for worship. In 1948, it was again closed, this time until 2000 when it reopened, though no longer as a place of worship, but rather as a centre of study of Nature. The outside has been preserved, but inside has mostly been renovated.
Convent of Santa Clara
The Sister de la Cruz Institution was first founded in Angela de la Cruz's birth town of Utrera in Sevilla in 1877. The following year, the Sisters' Convent was established in the old Santa Clara de Asís Convent, and thus Ayamonte became the second town in Andalusia to establish this Religious Congregation. From 1878 to the present day, Las Hermanas de la Cruz have worked to provide assistance and aid to the orphans and needy in the city, and are much admired and loved by all. Over time the convent had to be renewed and partly rebuilt. In 1936, a School for Female Children was created in the building of the convent- in Santa Clara Street, which continued until very recently.
Opening Hours are 30 mins before Mass
which in Winter is Mon – Sat at 9.00 and Sunday & Festivals at 10.00,
and in Summer is Mon – Sat at 9.00 & 21.00 and Sunday & Festivals at 9.30 & 20.00.
Temple of La Merced
Nowadays, only the temple exists, of what previously had been part of a large convent, founded by Don Diego Pérez Maestre in 1640. Its name was the Convent and Church of "Santísima Trinidad de Religiosos Descalzos de Nuestra Señora de la Merced y Redención de Cautivos". At both sides of the image of Santísima Virgen de la Merced, in the main altarpiece of the church, are the images of the saints San Pedro Nolasco and San Raimundo of Peñafort. The church has a baroque altarpiece from the middle of XVII century, and is arranged in three aisles. Sadly all of its most important pieces have been removed. It has four columns, and the lateral niches are now filled with the images of Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Jesus' Sacred Heart) and Virgen Milagrosa, where previously had been images of San Pedro Nolasco and San Raimundo of Peñafort. A beam, which stretches over the group of columns, frames the arch of the main niches, where a shield of the old Mercenaries Order is displayed. Following its closure, the Holy Week Organizations of Jesús Cautivo, Cristo de la Buena Muerte and María Santísima del Rosario took responsibilty for its preservation. As a result, the image of Cristo de la Buena Muerte is currently placed on the main altarpiece.
Church of Beata Ángela De La Cruz
This church was built on the initiative of inhabitants of the Santa Cruz quarter because they needed a nearby church, and the rest of Ayamonte’s churches were too far. It was built on the site of old taverns, and was blessed and inaugurated by the Bishop of Huelva, Mr. Rafael González y Moralejo on 27th October 1985. The first priest who celebrated mass was Claudio Ojeda y Pérez C. M. The images in the church are those of Senora Beata Ángela de la Cruz, la Milagrosa and El Resucitado.
Opening Hours are 30 mins before Mass
which in Winter is Mon, Wed - Sat at 20.00 and Sunday & Festivals at 20.00,
and in Summer is Mon, Wed - Sat at 21.00 and Sunday & Festivals at 21.00
Socorro Chapel and "Casa Cuna”
The foundation of the hospital for orphans of Ayamonte, “Casa Cuna”, was dedicated to "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria". Her image was finished by Captain Benito de Galdames at la Ciudad de los Reyes (Lima) on the 3rd October, 1666. The building took place from 1668 to 1674. When the artist died, the image of Nuestra Señora del Socorro moved to the chapel of the hospital, after being in the parish church El Salvador following the demolition of the hermitage, which was when the hospital and the chapel changed their names to that of Nuestra Señora del Socorro. The founding document was conferred on Ayamonte in 1780. Ayamonte still shows its reverence for Nuestra Señora del Socorro, by accompanying the image on the night of Good Friday in the Holy Week on the procession from the Chapel. The Chapel has a gothic altarpiece of a some artistic importance, which was restored a few years ago. "Casa Cuna" has exhibitions about the Holy Week and nativity scenes, and is also used as the headquarters of various youth, sport and social associations.
Church Of Saint Antonio De Padua
The present church of San Antonio de Padua is located in the warehouse of the old seamen’s quarter. They originally kept and mended their fishing tackle here, and over time the warehouse was used as school, youth club and finally as a church. It wasn't until 1992 that the church acquired its present appearance. On the initiative of a group of inhabitants, it was initially renovated, but finally they decided to rebuild it completely. The building was done in their leisure time, and using the money which one of them had obtained as bank loan, with the remainder signing for the loan as guarantors. The church itself hasn't got great architectural value, but rather a sentimental one, above all for each "puntero" (inhabitant of Punta del Moral), who showed their generosity and effort to keep their traditions and the character of their quarter. The church has only one nave, where people pray to the Patron Saints of Punta del Moral: Saint Antonio de Padua and Nuestra Señora del Carmen.
San Antonio Chapel
This chapel is placed on the street which shares its name. The Seamen’s association founded it at the end of the XVI century. In the chapel, there is a painting by San Felipe Neri, of some artistic merit. The chapel is well preserved in spite of its antiquity. Traditionally, there were festivities in honour of San Antonio, with a Mass, a Procession and feasts, but over time this has ceased. However, the festivity in honour of the Saint is held at the Seamen’s quarter of Punta del Moral.
Church Of Nuestra Señora De Las Angustias
It is the most important Church in Ayamonte as it the home of the patron saint, the Virgin Las Angustias. The sculptural group of the image of the Virgin Las Angustias is carved and polychromated, 1.13 metres high, and an anonymous work from the XVI century. The image represents the "Madre Dolorosa" (Painful Mother), on her knees, covered by a wide blue robe on a blue dress, holding her Son's head, and appearing as if she is drying tears falling down her face with the robe. She is wearing a crown from which a light shines. The image has had some modifications, but it still retains the clear outlines of the clothes.
It was restored in 1888; and after the Spanish Civil War, in 1937 by José da Silva, who provided it with a new mask; and finally, in 1972, José Sánchez restored the polychrome on both images. The legend of the image comes from the end of XVI century, when some brothers, the "Coritos" were fishing in the swamps of Bartolomé, within Portuguese waters, near Castro Marím, when they brought up an enormously heavy box, which contained a very beautiful image of María holding Christ in her arms. The Portuguse people demanded the image as their property, given that it was found within their waters, and this was recognized by the Holy See. It was agreed to hand over the image in the middle of the Guadiana river, but this was interrupted several times because of bad weather, which was interpreted as the desire of María Santísima de Las Angustias to remain, and be looked after by a brotherhood, in Ayamonte, where she finally stayed.
The Church of Las Angustias is located right in the centre of the City, and can be considered as "The Cathedral" of Ayamonte, because of its size and importance, history, and the Holy Week Organizations which have arisen there. According to the files of the church, a series of baptisms started in 1548, so possibly, the constructions started in XVI century. In the Secular Chapter's archives, in the file of 1623, the end of development is dated as 20th June. The façade of the church, with a flight of steps, has Neoclassical characteristics, due to the dominating ideas at the time of its reconstruction following the earthquake of Lisboa on 1st November in 1755, by which it was quite seriously affected. In 1761, it was decided to repair the chapel and to build a bell tower. The inner side has also seen a lot of modifications; so many that, nowadays, it presents an aspect quite different to the original one.
The most important modification was done at the end of the 19th century. The church has a basilica floor plan consisting of three naves, separated longitudinally by arches with a moulding like festoon that rests on pillars. The main nave is the highest one, and approximately twice the width of the other two. The main nave gives way to the choir with a triumphal arch of classic capitals. The main altarpiece, by the Renaissance sculptor Matías Fernández Cardoso, is formed by three wings separated each other by columns with bas-relief, which conveys Christ's Passion. In the middle of the masterpiece we can find the side room of Stma. Virgen de las Angustias, in a splendid rococo style, built in 1761. At the bottom of the nave of the Gospel, is the altarpiece in honour of San Diego, patron saint of Ayamonte, an altarpiece from the XVIII century and the image by Martínez Montañéz from 1590. At the upper end of the same nave, there is an altarpiece in honour of the Virgin, Inmaculada de la Concepción de María, which is an sculpture from the first half of XVI century, by an unknown author, made of wood and polychromated: In addition, the church has a rich gold treasury.
Opening Hours 30 mins before Mass
which in Winter is Tue - Sat at 20.00 and Sunday & Festivals at 12.30 and 20.00,
and in Summer is Tue - Sat at 21.00 and Sunday & Festivals at 12.00 and 21.00.
San Vincente
Opening Hours 30 mins before Mass
which in Winter is Tue & Thu at 19.00 and Sunday & Festivals at 11.30,
and in Summer is Tue & Thu at 20.00, Sat at 21.00 and Sunday & Festivals at 11.00 & 21.00.
House Museum Soledad
It is located alongside the Church of San Francisco, in the La Villa quarter. In 1550, two Holy Week organizations were created, one being Cristo de Vera Cruz and Santo Entierro's of San Francisco and the other being Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. Both organizations merged on 27th October 1872, and took the name it has today, "La Muy Antigua, Real e Ilustre Hermandad Franciscana de Penitencia de la Vera Cruz, Sto. Entierro de Cristo y María Santísima en su Soledad". This organization, following the original intent, has turned the old Soledad chapel into a museum showing the artistic-religious inheritance they have acquired over the centuries, such as standard and emblems of the Organization, ornamental pieces, the crown and the cloak of the Virgin, etc..
Opening hours for the House-Museum:
Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, including a guided visit with information to the Church of San Francisco.
The House-museum is closed during April and May, as most of the pieces are used in the Holy Week processions.
Marquis of Ayamonte's Palace
This palace is found on Plaza de San Francisco. In the distant past, it had views to the Guadiana river, but today the plaza has turned into a street following the building of homes for the seamen. The façade of the palace has Marquis crowns on both sides of the balcony, and beside them, shields, which, according to ancient stories, were destroyed by the townspeople when the Andalucian movement failed and the Marquis of Ayamonte was imprisoned. Rather than being a palace, it was principally the main house where the noble people of the time lived. This noteworthy building (which served as the residence for the Marquises of Ayamonte, who greatly influenced the development of the city) is nowadays well preserved and restored, and serves as the studio-museum of the painter Florencio Aguilera.
La Laguna Square
This plaza, in the middle of the city, is dominated the City Hall, and close to the Church of Las Angustias. During the expansion of the city, down from the high part of the city to the sides of Guadiana, this area was a lake, which was later filled and covered, upon which a plaza was built, hence its name, "La Laguna" (Pool). Over the years, it has served as stage for sermons, speeches, and other political and social events. Until recently, traffic could drive around it, but now it is totally pedestrianised following remodelling. It is surrounded by twenty-three high palms. In the middle there is a statue, the image of the Virgin Inmaculada. The benches are adorned with tiling, where there are images of the various characteristic aspects of the city, and in particular there is a copy of the notable painting by the famous Valencian painter, Sorolla, "La pesca de los atunes", who took as his source of inspiration the sea landscapes and people of Ayamonte. .
City Hall
The city hall was formerly located in the area of El Salvador, in a very ancient badly maintained building, which, after the earthquake of Lisboa in 1755, became totally unusable. It was then decided to move it to the lower part of the city, to the Plaza La Laguna, in a building that today is part of the city hall. It remained there until it was decided to buy the building in which it is located today, which was prepared and restored by a famous architect of the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition of Seville.
At the beginning of the 1950s the Health Centre, maternity, "Casa de Socorro" and other sections were built over the main building and other property of the city council, so the City Hall was only in the spare rooms in the building. In the middle of the 1980s, all these other activities were moved elsewhere in the city, and the municipal offices remained in just part of the building, whilst the remainder fell into disuse because of to its bad state of repair.
In the summer of 1997, all the activities were moved away, so that the building could be restored to the state it presents today. On 19th February 2001, the Constitutional House of Ayamonte was rededicated, by, amongst others, Rafael González, Mayor of Ayamonte.
The building, of great architectural beauty, has an entrance door framed by a portico composed of two Tuscan pillars, which give way to a very beautiful inner patio with marble columns and a small central fountain. It is worth noting the ornamental elements of the grills and locksmith's craft, as well as carpentry from the beginning of the last century.
Bullring
It's building began during the reign of Isabel II, and was finished in 1852. It was built on some of the land provided by the Fathers Paules, who had become the owners after a devout parishioner bequeathed the land to them in her will. In this bullring, many great corridas have taken place. In days gone by, there was a great deal of interest, and during the summer there were many novilladas for local amateur bullfighters. In 1950, after it’s remodelling, it was relaunched with a great corrida including the well known bullfighters of Pepe Gallardo, El Litri and Aparicio. At present bullfighting spectacles are mainly reduced to those held during the festivities of the patron Saint Virgin of Las Angustias. However this hasn’t reduced interest, and a young local novice, Juan Manuel Silva, is expected to go far in this demanding activity.
Yachting Harbour Of Ayamonte. La Dársena.
The harbour was originally situated by the mouth of Guadiana on the swamps "Pinillos", and provided the focus for the city. Known as the "Estero de la Ribera", it provided the winter moorings for galleons after a year’s profitable commercial or fishing season. In due course, it evolved into the "Dársena", where fishing ships and yachts moored. More recently it has turned into a growing modern yachting harbour with a wide range of services for sailors and others. And the yachting harbour being at the centre of the town provides many opportunities for beautiful panoramas, especially at sunset.
La Casa Grande
It was commissioned by Manuel Rivero in 1745, as a copy of the bourgeois Cádiz houses of the XVIII century. This kind of house perfectly suited his requirements of both a home and also administrative centre for management of his commercial operations. The house is built around a patio, with four passages propped up arches with marble columns. It has three floors; the ground floor was built for warehouses and other stores; the mezzanine, for offices of the mercantile activity and the upper floor for the owner of the house's business, whilst the function suite was his home. Apart from the main stairs which join the three floors, there are two more secondary stairs linking the commercial floors. Its façade is made of stone masonry, and of great beauty. The strong cornices, the locks and the slate which complete the adornment are particularly attractive. At present, Casa Grande is the seat of the Municipal Organization of Culture. It also contains the Municipal Library "Jiménez Barberi" and some exhibition rooms, as well as a small auditorium. Local artists have exhibitions in these rooms, and concerts and other cultural and social events such as presentations of books and poster displays take place in the auditorium.
Paseo De La Rivera
It is one of the most memorable spaces in Ayamonte and has been remodelled recently. Surrounded by numerous high palms, which add peace and beauty to the square, it is located between the Yachting Harbour and the centre of the city. Due to its location at the centre of the city and near to the market, there is always the bustle of people. Although not near the City Hall, it is one of the most important places for cultural and festive events; amongst others, the Three Wise Men parade and the carnivals, some of the most important festivities in Ayamonte. This "paseo" (square) is one of the most important parts in for the processions of Holy Week, being the official platform where the most important members of the town sit. It is also important for many important local athletic competitions, and will often act as the start or finish line.
Model Ships
And do look at the models in the window of Marisco Romero on Calle Padre Alvarez. It’s an echo of a long-standing speciality of Ayamonte but now sadly much less in evidence.
Isla Canela / Bariada Canela / Punta Del Moral
Torre Canela
It was built in the 18th century on the orders of Felipe III in order to protect the southern coast of the Peninsula from the constant invasions and attacks of the pirates and corsairs. He ordered the building of forty two towers or castles. They were placed in such a way and distance that pirates could be seen all along the coast, so that the sailors could go and defend the coast and the ships which were moored in the harbours. It is situated on the left side of the road which links Ayamonte to Punta del Moral. When it was built it was on the coast, but little by little the shore has silted up, and nowadays the tower is 3km from the sea. Torre Canela is not very well preserved, but inside there are two floors, five places for beacons and five cannons for defence.
El Carmen Chapel
It is located in the fishing quarter on Isla Canela, and existed in 1810, when members of the "Junta de Sevilla", as well as soldiers, seamen and others went to Isla Canela to get a shelter when that "Junta" moved to Ayamonte after the French invasion. In 1925 the present chapel was built, as the old one had deteriorated, and the Virgin El Carmen was relocated from a chapel at La Redondela to this chapel. The festivity in honour to the Virgin El Carmen is held here on 16th July each year, when people carry the image on their shoulders out of the chapel and into the river.
And a few other random possibilities
* Vision for Isla Canela
The long term plan for development of Isla Canela is on the wall in the reception on the Pryconsa technical office behind the Marina Sales office, showing the second golf course, second marina etc..
* Sendero – Near the roundabout into Punta Del Moral – a walk out into the marismas with hides for bird spotting
* Fishing Boats - At the end of the day or high tide roaring into Isla Cristina, then mooring back in Punta del Moral
* Electronic Darts at the Neptuno Bar by the Marina.
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