Chiclana de la Frontera is a town and municipality in southwestern Spain, in the province of Cádiz, Andalucía, near the Gulf of Cádiz. It belongs to the association of municipalities of the Bay of Cádiz (Bahía de Cádiz), the provincial capital of Cádiz, Jerez de la Frontera, San Fernando, El Puerto de Santa María, Puerto Real and Rota which form the third largest metropolitan area in Andalusia, behind Seville and Málaga, and the twelfth largest in Spain.
The municipality contains the largest number of hotel beds in the Province of Cádiz and the Costa de la Luz. The town’s newspaper, Chiclana Información, is distributed on Saturday mornings.
Main sights
Towers
There are three significant towers in the area. The Torre del Puerco (36.331186°N 6.161276°W) dates to the 16th century, but later was used as a defensive post during the Battle of Barrosa in 1811. The Torre Bermeja (36.374989°N 6.191318°W) is a defensive tower located on the Playa de la Barrosa. The Torre del Reloj (36.418191°N 6.146216°W) is the clock tower, popularly known as Arquillo Clock, and is one of the most emblematic buildings of Chiclana, located on the Plaza Mayor. It was built in the 18th century on one of the ancient gates of the town, and was originally part of the old Town Hall. It consists of four sections, with an octagonal bell tower and dome topped with a Latin cross. The tower is the subject of a poem by Federico García Lorca.
Civic buildings
The historic city center is home to several examples of neoclassical architecture and Elizabethan houses that belonged to the nobility and gentry of Cádiz, built to enrichment of the area thanks to trades with America. The Plaza Mayor is the oldest public space and historic interest of Chiclana. It was the center of the village during the 15th to the 18th centuries, containing the only parish jail. Casa Briones, located on the Plaza Mayor is one of the finest examples of 18th-century buildings in the city and is attributed to the neoclassical architect Torcuato Cayon; it currently houses the Museo de Chiclana. The town hall, Casa Consistorial, was originally built on the palatial residence of Alejandro Risso in the 18th century. In 2011, a new building was inaugurated by the President of the Junta de Andalucía, José Antonio Griñan. Built on the former, the latter has an area of about 5,000 square metres, divided over four floors. It is a large, modern building, adapted to the needs of local administration in Chiclana in the 21st century. The original building had no architectural interest, so only the main façade of the old building was preserved, along with the first bay, and the imperial staircase.
Castles and palaces
The Castillo de Sancti Petri was built in the Moorish architecture style during the 13th century and is now in a ruined state. The Casa-palacio del Conde de Torres is located in the Plaza del Retortillo of this city, nominated in honor of José de Retortillo who was awarded a knighthood in 1738 by the then reigning monarch Philip IV. It is a mansion of two stories with stylistic influences of the neoclassical period, but also featuring decorative elements of the baroque. Today the house has ceded part of its private garden to the city, which maintains it as a green area for public use.Chiclana Casa del Conde del Pinar.
Casa-palacio del Conde del Pinar is located in the central Calle Fierro. It is named after Conde del Pinar, an important character of French origin who arrived in the city of Cádiz, who like many others was attracted by economic expansion as a result of their trade with America. Built during the 18th century, it shows the evolution of the neoclassical baroque, mixing elements of both styles. It has a high façade exterior with three floors and is structured with stone pillars. Inside is a square courtyard with columns and marble floors and the original staircase. Currently it is used by the government for cultural activities. The Casa-palacio del Conde de las Cinco Torres is located in the centre of the city on the Calle García Gutiérrez, and as far as the mid-19th century dominated the neighborhood of San Alejandro. The house is perhaps the best example of neo-classical mansion in the city, built during the 18th century at the time of greatest economic boom in Cádiz. The exterior has a stone façade, two stories high and with five vertical streets.
Churches
The Capilla del Santo Cristo (Chapel of the Holy Christ), dating from the late 15th century, is the oldest religious building in the city. It is situated within the confraternity of the Vera Cruz, one of the oldest existing penitential brotherhoods in Andalusia. The current façade of the church is a result of the many restorations that the building has experienced. The chapel contains a huge atrium.
There are two religious buildings from the 16th century. The Iglesia de San Sebastián (36.420611°N 6.144232°W), which is located next to the bridge of Remedios. This church has undergone several renovations throughout its history. In the courtyard stands a monument to Antonio Cabrera, a speaker, scientist and botanist and son of the town. The Hospital de San Martín (36.419063°N 6.147276°W) is now part of the “Niño Jesús” college. Although it has undergone several reforms, this old building remained inside the Capilla del Sagrado Corazón, with several Baroque altarpieces. 17th century religious buildings include the Convento de Jesús Nazareno (36.418813°N 6.149395°W), a baroque church founded by Mother Antonia de Jesús in the year 1666; as well as the Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad (San Telmo) (36.420962°N 6.148624°W) which has a high Baroque style altar and has a belfry with a unique angular design.
The 18th century Iglesia de San Juan Bautista (Iglesia Mayor) (36.418034°N 6.146211°W) is a neoclassical masterpiece of the province of Cádiz. Designed by Torcuato Cayón and finished by his godson and pupil Torcuato Benjumeda. It is built on an earlier church, which retains one of its chapels and a 16th-century Flemish altarpiece. It possesses carvings of great value and several paintings from the Zurbarán school. The church has been listed as a Cultural Monument since 1975. The Ermita de Santa Ana (36.414846°N 6.150965°W) was built by Cayón in 1771. It is a visual icon of the city and is its highest point, offering a panorama for kilometers around. An octagonal chapel, it is surrounded by an octagonal arcade portico. The building houses the icon of Santa Ana, carved by the Genoese Domingo Giscardi in the 18th century.
Culture
Museums
The Museo de Chiclana is located in the Casa de los Briones on the Plaza Mayor. In different rooms, the public can learn about the prehistoric period and antiquity of the city, its formation, the Battle of Chiclana and the present day. It has sections dedicated also to the local wine industry, horticulture, salt industry and fishing. All of the displays are labelled and an audiovisual exhibition provides an overview of the history and traditions of Chiclana, in an entertaining, accessible and understandable manner. In addition, the museum has several rooms designed to house temporary exhibitions. The matador and celebrity Francisco de Paula Montes y Reina, better known as by his nickname, Paquiro, was born in Chiclana in 1805, the Museo Municipal Taurino Francisco Montes is dedicated to him. On November 3, 2016, the new “Wine and Salt Museum” opened opposite the market hall in a renovated bodega. Founded in 1928, the Marín Dolls Museum-Factory is a factory and museum which created and exhibited traditional Marín dolls, but it is now closed.
Festivals
Chiclana de la Frontera celebrates several festivals and feast days. Carnaval is held at the beginning of Lent the festival includes a parade and performances. The San Antonio Fair is held in mid June. There is a parade and dancing in the stands, and an opportunity for women to wear local costumes. The celebration of Corpus Christi includes streets decorated with rosemary, incense and altars; there is also a religious procession. The Festival of El Pilar celebrates the Virgen del Pilar, patron of the State Security Forces; the icon is located in the Church of San Juan Bautista. Cruces de Mayo chiclaneras festival occurs in May with a procession. Typically, courtyards are decorated with flowers and religious symbols. The Festival of Parpuja occurs in August and consists of a gala attended by the leading national figures of flamenco such as José Mercé, Rancapino, and others. Traditional foods are accompanied by wines from Chiclana.
Feast days are celebrated as rites of the Catholic religion. These include the Feast of San Juan Bautista, held on 23–24 June, in which a procession is accompanied by brass bands in the Plaza Mayor. A typical dish at this time of year are snails. The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Caramel, held on July 16, venerates the Virgin del Carmen Barrosa, an icon of which is used in the procession. The Feast of Santa Ana, held on July 26, includes a procession-pilgrimage featuring Santa Ana through the center of the city and the Santa Ana neighborhood. There are festivities around the shrine of this saint. A typical dish at this time are the sweets “Campanas de Santa Ana”. The Feast of Our Lady of Remedies, held on September 8, includes a procession featuring the icon of the Virgen de los Remedios, patron saint of the city. Another tribute to the patron features horse riders competing in front of the Parish of the Holy Trinity (San Telmo). There is also a traditional pressing of the grapes, which symbolizes the beginning of the harvest. In recent years, this day also celebrates the Feast of Pescao of Estero, a fish tasting event at the Alameda del Rio. The Feast of All Saints Tosantos is celebrated on November 1.
