Province
& Villages - Cadiz - Jerez
Jerez information
Jerez, wine and much more
For centuries Jerez de la Frontera has been the finest example
of the great town of agricultural economy and bearing. Its
popularity arose from the most famous wine in the world, sherry,
and the fertile of its lands. Today, Jerez is much more and
although the wines, the Cartujano Horse, a breed peculiar
to Jerez, and the fightings bulls still contribute much to
its economy, the motor-racing circuit and the numerous conferences
which take place here every year combine to offer us a modern
town which has successfully
preserved its age-old charms.
Its artistic charms, for example, have been well preserved
and the town's wide, well-kept streets are full of monuments.
The most notable feature of the town centre is the well-porportioned
Baroque Cathedral, with a beautiful towes, five naves and
fine pictorial illustrtations. Nearby is the Alcazaba Fortress,
the obejct of a long restoration process which has concentrated
on the valuable Muslim remains, including those of the mosque
churches - Santigo, San Dionisio, San Juan de los Caballeros,
San Marcos, San Mateo, Santo Domingo, San Miguel - are a part
of Jerez's charm. San Dionisio, for example is Mudéjar
with a harmonious and elegant interior; Santiago and San Miguel
are large Gothic parish churches with beautiful facades and
Santo Domingo with its Gothic cloisters.
The palaces are another great attraction: the Cabildo, houses
the Archaeological Museum which stands witness to the history
of the district. Almost all the palaces such as those the
Domeq, Ponce de León, Dávila or Riquelme almost
all have exquisite patios and Baroque facades. 
Maybe the most attractive monument of Jerez is La Cartuja,
situated on the outskirts of the town. It was abandoned in
the 19th century, and has undergone a restoration process
in recent times. the Renaissance styles are predominant in
its two beautiful facades, the main facade and the one affordding
access to the Monastery, but the church is Baroque, with a
Gothic design and cloisters.

The town invites the visitor to stroll through its streets
and squares with tall palm trees alternating with flat, winding
streets overlooked by towers or bell gables and the palaces.
A visit to the wine cellars is a must, giving the visitor
an insight into what wine has meant and means in this town
of almost 200,000 inhabitants.
A horse show at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian
Art should not be missed and the ideal time to visit the School
is in spring when first the Easter celebrations and then the
Horse Fair, enhance its attractions. The town also possesses
a good Zoo and original museums, such as the Clock Museum.
The spectrum of hotels and restaurants has been improved in
this town which has its own very particular gastronomy from
"kidneys in sherry sauce" to "oxtail stew".
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