Nature and beach go hand in hand in this territory object of lordly disputes in past centuries that has known how to preserve its traditions and the seafaring legacy of its ancestors, but without giving up the tourist development of its important resources. Protected areas, 19th century lighthouses, golf courses and beaches along with residential developments make up this personal corner of the Huelva coastline.
The municipality of Cartaya preserves the characteristics of a typical Andalusian town and combines them perfectly with careful tourist development, based on respect for the environment, a wide leisure and hotel offering designed to offer the best framework and the best conditions so that the visitor experiences new emotions.
The agriculture traditionally it has been the smost important actor for the economic development of the municipality, based on citrus and berry cultivation. In addition, Cartaya has a rich popular and religious heritage.
The Phoenician origin of its name Carteia indicates the antiquity of its origin. The insecurity of the area, constantly ravaged by raids by Berber and Norman pirates, meant that a stable population was not consolidated until the beginning of the 15th century.
They are the remains of a past that has made way for a future based on the maritime and, above all, agricultural tradition of the municipality.
It is located in the Plaza Redonda, which constitutes the civic and representative center of the population. The primitive building, known as “Capitular Houses”, was built in 1555 on the Pósito de los Pobres. Over the years it has received several renovations and expansions until today. Between them
The introduction of the body of the clock stands out, which breaks the horizontality of the cornice and raises the height of the whole.
Fortress tower built between 1417 and 1420, located in the heart of the town on a hill of reddish clay soil. The defensive fortification had as its objective the guarding of the ferry crossing of the Piedras River and the surveillance of the lands that limited the lordships of Lepe and Gibraleón. It served as an ideal refuge for citizens from Portuguese attacks (17th century). Rectangular in shape, with walls eight meters high and 130 meters long. The bell tower, the homage tower and a beautiful Mudejar door are preserved in good condition. In 1985 it was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and, after starting several restoration programs for the property, festivals and socio-cultural shows are currently held inside.
Opened in 2004, with a total area of 3400 m2. The building has 5 floors. Its Intercultural Library stands out, with a large number of volumes in different languages. Likewise, the “Quixoteca” houses the immortal Cervantes novel in 28 different languages. Within its facilities is the Municipal Theater, the nerve center of the performing arts that pass through the town with a capacity for more than 400 people.
Located in the Plaza Redonda de Cartaya, right in front of the town hall. It is a two-story building that draws attention for its tower located on the corner of De la Plaza street.
Of Renaissance style, it consists of three naves, it was built between 1575 and 1606 on a previous one in Mudejar style and with a single floor. After the Lisbon earthquake in 1755, it had to be completely restored so it has a baroque touch. Distributed throughout the interior of the building is a collection of 18th century paintings that represent the life of Saint Francis. Among the treasures it keeps, there is a Christ of the Seven Words from the 16th century, a baroque San Joaquín and various objects of worship from the 17th and 18th centuries, donated by Indians of Cartayero origin.
Founded by Trinitarios de la Merced Descalza between the 15th and 16th centuries, dedicated to the redemption of captives. Destroyed by the Lisbon earthquake, it was raised again in 1756. The baroque tower, especially the baroque tower, is preserved in good condition, a tower built of stones with a smooth body of bells and topped with a spire covered in tiles. It consists of three spaces: convent, church or chapel and orchard.
Founded by an Indian in the 16th century, with a clear Andalusian baroque flavor, it consists of a ship with three naves, separated by galleries with three semicircular arches and supported by cruciform section pillars. Dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation. In 1977, as a result of the Lisbon earthquake, the building was rebuilt, remaining the same as the original one. It is the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Consolation itself that is in charge of managing the operation of the hermitage.
Parish church built in 1956 by the Almadrabero Consortium with the bricks left over after the construction of La Almadraba. Its construction was an important milestone for the breakieros, since in addition to mass, other liturgical events such as baptisms, communions and weddings began to be celebrated in the fishing center. The Parish venerates the Virgin of Carmen, patron saint of sailors. The image of Our Lady of Carmen, which is currently in procession in El Rompido, was brought from Seville in the 1930s by Jerónimo Gil, canon and friend of the then parish priest of Cartaya, Luis Cruz.
From this point you can enjoy a spectacular view of the coastal village of El Rompido and the natural park that surrounds it. The old lighthouse, with a height of 13 meters, was built in 1861 and is the oldest in Huelva. The New Lighthouse, which measures 31 meters high, was built in 1976 and its light has a range of 24 nautical miles.
The El Rompido promenade offers a visual delight with its serene waters and the historic silhouette of the Almadraba on the other bank of the Piedras River. In addition, it is presented as a space dedicated to family enjoyment with a play area for the little ones.
It was built to defend the passage through the Piedras River and as a defense for the people of the village. It was completely destroyed in the 16th century and the walls that remain have been declared a Site of Cultural Interest. Currently, the remains of the castle, along with other important archaeological remains, are part of the Fuerte de El Rompido Hotel Complex.
A surface 12,000 hectares, the Cartaya pine forest is subdivided into two well-differentiated environments: Campo Común de Arriba and Campo Común de Abajo; Both have great ecological and landscape value. Here you can see a great variety of plant species from the Mediterranean forest and animal species, especially with regard to birds and small vertebrates. In this environment you can find trails, picnic areas and recreational areas for visitors to enjoy this exceptional natural environment.
The municipality of Cartaya cIt has 14 km. of fine sand beaches and calm waters surrounded by beautiful pine forests, converted for decades into one of the most sought-after destinations on the Huelva coast.. Among the tourist resources it has, its luxurious tourist complexes with three golf courses, one of them ecological, a wide range of nautical sports activities in the towns of El Rompido and Nuevo Portil, and a privileged climate of sunshine throughout the year with 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and an average annual temperature of 25ºC. In addition, the visitor will be able to enjoy views of a unique environment thanks to the viewpoints that are located along the coastline.
Between the natural tourist resources What this municipality has are: the Marismas del Río Piedras and Flecha del Rompido Natural Area; the ocean, from El Rompido to Nuevo Portil, the municipal area opens to the Ría de El Piedras; the beaches of Nuevo Portil and San Miguel, surrounded by pine and juniper trees.
The Flecha del Rompido is a unique sandy formation, parallel to the coast, that extends at the mouth of the Piedras River and opens to the Atlantic Ocean from a virgin beach that can be accessed thanks to the boat passage services that are located on the river beaches. As for the vegetation, the environment is mainly made up of barron, broom or stone pine, in addition, it is home to interesting species such as the chameleon.
The arrival of the new year begins with the festivity of the Patron of Cartaya, San Sebastián. In the month of January, the saint walks through the streets of the center of Cartaya until he reaches Calle San Sebastián, where they decorate the doors and balconies to receive him.
One of the events that enjoys great relevance is the Horse Fair and its Accessories, held in March. It brings together companies from the world of horses related to flamenco fashion and livestock farms.
With the arrival of spring, in the month of May, the Pilgrimage in Honor of San Isidro Labrador, which begins with the proclamation and the search for the saint to the hermitage. After this search, the saint remains in the San Pedro Parish Church and different services are held until Thursday when the traditional floral offering is celebrated in the Plaza Redonda. On Friday afternoon they make a pilgrimage to the meadow where they live together during that weekend.
In the summer, it is eagerly awaited the traditional festival in honor of the Virgin of the Sailors, the Virgen del Carmen, held the last weekend of July in El Rompido. During it, sports activities and musical performances are carried out, the most anticipated moment being the seafaring procession of the Virgen del Carmen, celebrated on Sunday, along the Piedras River.
At the end of summer, August and September, Cartaya takes place the Procession of Our Lady of Consolation from his hermitage to the San Pedro Parish Church. For two weeks, services are held in honor of the Virgin of Consolación. The big day of this festival occurs in September, in the “subida”, where the procession takes place back to the hermitage.
The patron saint's holiday par excellence is the October Fair and Festivals in Honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, patron saint of Cartaya.. They coexist in the fairgrounds and celebrate the October Fair in the Exhibition Pavilion with a representative sample of local and external companies, as well as the Automotive and Nautical Show. The festival culminates with the procession of Our Lady of Rosario through the central streets of the municipality.