Enjoy the lovely Huelva with all its rich history
Huelva is one of the oldest settlements in the west and the cradle of discoverers like Columbus.
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Today we want to present you Huelva, the capital of our lovely province. The city with todays 149.000 inhabitants at the confluence of the rivers Odiel and Tinto has been inhabited since 3000 B.C. and is one of the oldest settlements in the west. Just like many other places in Andalucía, different cultures such as Tartessians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims left their marks in this region. Today´s Spanish name for local “Onubenses” dates back to Phoenician times.
In the end of the 15thcentury, Huelva was the cradle of discoverers like Columbus, nowadays still remembered on 3rd of August each year, when the caravels set sail.
The Lisbon earthquake in 1755 with a strength of 8,5 on Richter Scale badly affected the region and left many buildings destroyed or damaged. That´s why today you see very few buildings and monuments dating before 1755. Some of the most famous sights are:
- Muelle de las Carabelas — Reconstruction of Columbus´ boat and of native villages where he landed
- Monumento a Colon — the monument was a gift from the United States to the descendants of the discoverers of America
- Catedral de la Merced — built in the early 17thcentury
- Iglesia Parroquial de San Pedro is a Mudejar temple right in the heart of the city, dating back to the 15th century. From the wooded hill Cabezo de San Pedro on the northern side of the Huelva´s oldest church you have a beautiful view over the city. At this “Site of Historical Interest” significant archeological remains of the Bronze Age have been discovered.
From February 14 to 20 you may experience the “Carnaval Colombino“ of Huelva. During those crazy days, streets fill with music, celebrations and colors and with people enjoying themselves. You will meet them especially here:
- 14/2 at 11 a.m. traditional lively march through the city center starting at Plaza de las Monjas
- 15/2 at 12 a.m. Procession of the “Carnaval Colombino” ending at the “Carpas Italianas”
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Originally published at www.tlcspain.com on February 11, 2015.
