Medina sidonia

Medina Sidonia is a Spanish municipality and town in the province of Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It belongs to the region of La Janda, of which it is its capital. It has a population of 11,739 inhabitants (INE 2022). It is located at an altitude of 337 meters and 45 kilometers from the provincial capital. The town has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site.

Etymology

The name Madinat Saduna, or Abu Salim, is derived from the Arabic al-madinat, meaning "the city" or urban center of a Muslim city.

Geography

The mountain on which it is located is called Cerro del Castillo, which constitutes the highest elevation in the entire western third of the province, from the last foothills of the Sierra de Cádiz to the Atlantic coastline, which gives it allows it to be seen from an important part of the province, offering, at the same time, the extraordinary panoramic view of the provincial surface. The city is oriented towards the Bay of Cádiz, which is why it is known as the Balcony of the Bay.

A small part of the municipality of Asidón belongs to the natural park of Los Alcornocales, one of the most prized areas in terms of natural wealth and landscapes in all of Andalusia. The term also hosts a large part of the route of the Green Corridor of the two Bays, which is a greenway that connects the Bay of Cádiz and the Bay of Algeciras.

Neighboring towns

Northwest: The Port of Santa Maria and Puerto Real	North: Jerez de la Frontera, Arcos de la Frontera and Paterna de Rivera	Northeast: Ubrique and San José del Valle.
West: Chiclana de la Frontera.		This: Benalup-Viejas Houses and Alcalá de los Gazules
Southwest Conil de la Frontera, Vejer de la Frontera and Barbate	South: Rate	Sureste: Los Barrios y Algeciras

History

Agripina marble bust the largest

The first population settlements in the area of which we have evidence date from the Late Bronze Age. A large number of fragments of ceramic materials made by hand and some lithic tools have been found in the Cerro de las Madres. It seems that these inhabitants were related to the Tartessian culture.

Although it is traditionally believed that Phoenician colonists arrived from Sidon, who founded a municipality with the same name as that of their city of origin based on the previous indigenous occupation, there are no solid historical arguments for this. It is only a hypothesis based on the similarity of the place name with the name of Sidon.

In the III century B.C. C. the Romans occupied all the peninsular territory, previously in the hands of the Carthaginians. Around the I century, a new urban nucleus was built that occupied the entire space of what is now the Historic Site. By concession of Caesar Augustus, the city promoted its former municipal status and became a colony under Roman law (civitas optimo jure). She was known by the name Asido (heiress of a Turdetan name), Caesarina, or, fully, as Asido Caesarina Augusta. It was located in the Provincia Ulterior Betica and belonged to the legal convent Hispalensis, with its capital in Hispalis.

In Visigothic Hispania it was the capital of the province and also the episcopal seat of the Catholic Church, then known as Asidona, a suffragan of the archdiocese of Seville that included the ancient Roman province of Betica in the diocese of Hispania.

In the year 712 the city was conquered by Musa ibn Nusair, general of the Umayyad Caliphate, at the beginning of the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. It was the capital of the Muslim chora called Cora de Sidonia (also known as de Saduna in Arabic شذونة) until the Norman sack of the city. Alfonso X the Wise conquered the city on September 22, 1264, going on to occupy the border line against the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, which is why it appears in some medieval document with the name of the Frontier.

Drawing of Medina Sidonia by Pedro Barrantes Maldonado

During the times of the Castilian colonization, it was the seat of several military orders. Among them, the Order of Santiago and the Order of Santa María stand out.

In 1440 it became part of the Dominion of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia.

In the 19th century, like much of rural Andalusia, peasant movements took place.

Titles and emblems

• Title of Muy Noble and Muy Leal: Given by King Felipe IV in 1661, as recognition of the participation of the neighbors of Medina Sidonia in the attempt to recover Portugal for the Spanish crown.
• City Title: Given by King Henry IV in 1472, at the request of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, in response to the good services provided by the then villa in the fight against the Moors.
• Treatment: Until the centuryXIX and beginnings of the centuryXX. it is given in the documents treatment of Ilustrísimo Municipality of Medina Sidonia, modifying later by that of Excelentísimo.

Urban cores

View from Medina

The municipality of Asidon is divided into three nuclei:

• Urban Center of Medina Sidonia
• San José de Malcocinado
• The Badalejos
• The Berrueco

Neighborhoods

• Santa Maria
• Santiago
• Saint Catherine
• Saint John of God
• Juan XXIII
• Constitution
• La Paz
• Blas Infante
• Manuel de Falla
• The Azocarrem
• Prado of the Fair
• Huerto de Carlos III
• Mirador de la Bahía

Demographics

Demographic evolution of Medina Sidonia between 1900 and 2005

Source: Spanish National Statistical Institute - Graphical development by Wikipedia

Data prior to 1991 include the population of current Benalup-Casas Viejas, which became independent from Medina Sidonia on March 20, 1991.

Communications

Medina Sidonia has three roads that serve as access/ascent to the city:

Wind farm

• West rise (CA-202): Known as The Cuesta del Carbóncommunicates the city with the A-390 road (Medina Sidonia-Chiclana de la Frontera). Following the A-390, after 16 km, you can link with the A-48 motorway. As an alternative to the CA-202, you can climb the city through the historic road known as The road.

• South rise (CA-203): Known as the Cuesta de la Viuda, communicates the city with the road A-396 (Medina Sidonia-Vejer de la Frontera). Following the A-396, after 6 km you will find the crossing with the A-222 that gives access to Benalup-Casas Viejas, passing before the rural centers of Los Badalejos and San José de Malcocinado. If we continue along the A-396, after 23 km we will link with the A-48 motorway

• North (A-389): Known as The Cuesta of Uncle Papa, communicates the city with the Jerez-Los Barrios A-381 motorway. Following the A-389 road you can also reach Arcos de la Frontera.

Since April 2007, the town is part of the Bahía de Cádiz Transport Consortium.

The closest railway stations to the municipality are the San Fernando-Bahía Sur Station (20 minutes) and the Jerez Station (30 minutes), from which you can access Cercanías Cádiz, Media Distancia and long haul.

Economy

Medina Sidonia

Views of Medina Sidonia

Old grain silo

The economy of Asidona has been formed for a long period by agriculture and livestock. Although this branch still survives to a lesser degree, most day laborers have abandoned work in the fields and have gone into construction, a sector that today proliferates in all tourist areas. Since the end of the XX century, Medina Sidonia began to live mainly from tourism and its candy industry, which it exported to the whole province.

The growth of tourism in the Asidonense population is the result of a combination of several factors. The city is located in the geographical center of the province of Cádiz, a strategic place that allows easy access to the coast, the countryside or the mountains. There are two natural parks that are just a few minutes from the municipality: the Bahía de Cádiz natural park and the Alcornocales natural park.

As far as the hotel and catering sector is concerned, the city has a wide range of rural houses spread throughout different parts of the Old Town. Palatial houses, Arab-style houses, all of them renovated and suitable for residential use, and which are a sample of classical Andalusian architecture. The first hotel establishment, inaugurated on April 30, 1993, marked the beginning of a new tourist stage for the Asidonense municipality. Its creator, Don Manuel Pavón Sánchez, born in Medina Sidonia, returned to his homeland after several decades residing in Madrid and built the Hotel Medina Park, a tourist reference for the region due to its strategic location in the middle of nature. On September 14, 2007, the first four-star hotel in the city was inaugurated, the Hotel-Spa Al-Medina Sidonia Golf, which closed its doors due to the mismanagement of its owners.

The other great tourist attraction that the city has is the vast historical legacy that is hidden among its streets. Each and every one of the civilizations that have passed through its lands have left, to a lesser or greater extent, their mark on the city. Medina Sidonia has a significant density of monuments of great historical, archaeological and artistic value. Of special importance are the monuments from the Roman period that correspond to the ancient Asido Cesaerina, as well as all those that belong to the Andalusian period. The Historic Center of the city was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest on November 13, 2001, which has not prevented the city from benefiting from adequate urban growth.

Regarding the sweet industry in Medina Sidonia, it is said that it became the pastry capital of the Arab world. Among the most typical products, we can highlight the amarguillos, the brown cakes or the pestiños, which are produced and consumed throughout the year. However, the most famous and emblematic product of the city is the typical Alfajor de Medina Sidonia (IGP), one of the 8 products with a Protected Geographical Indication in Andalusia.

The business activity of Medina Sidonia and, in general, of the region of La Janda, will be boosted by the provision of a large business park called El Machorro to its industrial fabric. The urbanization works began in April 2008, with an execution period of 18 months, and have a budget of 12.7 million euros. The project contemplates the development of a 74.8-hectare production site, from which 203 plots will be obtained and which will be carried out in two phases. In the first place, the urbanization of 33.7 hectares is addressed, the second phase is made up of adjacent land of 41.10 hectares. The park is perfectly communicated with the A-2234 road (northeast variant of Medina Sidonia), the A-390 and the Jerez-Los Barrios A-381 highway.

Evolution of outstanding municipal debt

Graphic of evolution of living debt of the City of Medina-Sidonia between 2008 and 2019

Living debt of the City of Medina-Sidonia in thousands of Euros according to data from the Ministry of Finance and Ad. Public.

Culture

Museums

• Archaeological Museum of Medina Sidonia: it is located on the Roman Archaeological Complex in the neighborhood of Santiago.
• Ethnographic Museum of Medina Sidonia

Monuments

Caballerizas del Duque

Castle of Medina Sidonia

Church of Santa Maria la Coronada

Civil monuments

• Roman Archaeological Set (SecondI)
  • Water and sewer productions
  • Roman bridges:
    • Puente de la Hoya
    • Bridge of the Three Eyes
  • Roman road
• City Hall (seventh century)XVI)
• The Alameda (centuryXVI)
• Abastos Square (1871)
• Teatro Municipal Miguel Mihura Álvarez (Madrid)Old Thebussem Theatre)
• Caballerizas del Duque (centuryXVI)
• White Doña Tower of Bourbon (centuryXIV)
• Sources:
  • Salt Source
  • Great Source
  • Comendador Fountain (Source Girl)
  • Source of the Azocarrem
  • Source of Oranges
  • Source of the Canaleja

Military monuments

• Castle of Medina SidoniaXIII- centuryXV)
  • Ruins of the castellum Roman
  • Ruins of the Arab Castle
  • Ruins of the medieval castle
• Torrestrella Castle (centuryXIII)
• Walled confinement
  • Arc de la Pastora
  • Arc de Bethlehem
  • Puerta del Sol

Religious monuments

• Iglesia Mayor de Santa María la Coronada (sixteenth centuryXV- centuryXVII)
• Church of Victory (centuryXVII)
• Church of Santiago (centuryXVI)
• Church of Saint John of God (centuryXVI)

• Church of St. Augustine, partially collapsed
• Church of the Love of God
• Convent of San Cristobal (known as Monks down)
• Convent of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (known as Top nuns)
• Chapel of Santa Ana
• Hermitage of the Holy Martyrs (visit of the centuryVII)
• Hermitage of the Christ of the Blood (sixteenth centuryXV)
• Monastery of the Crow (sixth centuryXVIII- centuryXIX)

Parties

Portada de la Feria y Fiestas de Medina Sidonia 2008

• Vacuno and Caballar Win Fair (June): it is one of the oldest cattle fairs in Andalusia (centuryXIII).
  • Equisidonia: Pure Spanish Race Horse Contest.
  • Bovisidonia: cattle contest.

• Patron Festival (24 January): in honor of Our Lady of Peace. The image of the Virgin (1738) holds the title of Patrona de Medina since 1802, although it has been venerated for a long time (sixteenth century)XVIII). Its headquarters is located in the Church of Santa Maria and has a brotherhood in its name. There is a ninth (La Novena de la Virgen de la Paz), where people come to present to the Virgin the children born in the year. Every day a different cult is celebrated: families, catechists, young people, etc. On January 27th the Voting Function is celebrated, in which the Vote is renewed as Perpetua Mayor of the city. The ninth concludes with the Holy Mass presided by Antonio Ceballos (Obispo de Cádiz y Ceuta).

• Carnival of Medina Sidonia (febrero): There are many and varied events during the week of carnivals, such as: children's parades, pineapples, gastronomic tastings, etc. Among them is the burning of the Bruja Piti, a typical event in many municipalities of Cadiz. It also takes place the performance of different groups belonging to the contest of Carnival de Cádiz. During the weekend we celebrate the Grand Cabalgata del Humor, which runs all over the city, starting from the Sports Pavilion and arriving to the Plaza de España. After the Cabalgata you can enjoy the Dance of Costumes in the central Plaza de España and the awards. For the carnival of 2008 the tent destined to dance, precedence and other carnival events has been installed in El Caminillo Park. It's a party where people's participation is very large. The Carnival starts with the Pregón on Saturday night in the tent installed in the central Alameda where they enjoy the local performances and gaditanas of the fault. The following Sunday takes place the children's raisins on the streets of the center, animated by charangas, Disney dolls...During the entire week there are walks of the different schools, both in the morning and in the afternoon. The Ash Wednesday is a expected day, as the burning of the traditional Bruja Piti (annunciadora del Cartel del Carnival 2010) and the fireworks show takes place. Since Friday there are different activities in the Carpa: workshops, parties for young people, musical groups, clowns, etc. The Saturday takes place from the sports hall to the Alameda the great race of humor, which has approximately eight floats, animation and countless groups with the most varied costumes and the most gaditano humor. After the ride takes place the awards and the Great Costume Dance. The next day we can enjoy the first group awards on the streets, the groups (chirigotas, cloaks, quartets...) settling down the streets or the bars. We also have an appointment in the Barrio de Santa María, where in the Plaza del Llanete there are carnival performances, the traditional cucaña, in itself, a neighborhood where the Carnival is very strong and the art is present in its streets. In the afternoon we have the performances in the Carpa of numerous groupings, especially first prizes of the Contest of the Falla and the local groupings, giving for the completion of the Carnival asidonense, lasting the performances until late in the evening.

Retablo

• Holy Week: This is a celebration that is deeply rooted in the Asidon culture. Highlights the valuable imagery available, with works as important as the Christ of Forgiveness (sixteenth century)XVII) belonging to the sculptor Pedro Roldán. From among the procedural outputs, the Nazarene (image dated 1616) from the Church of Santiago, which in 2012 will fulfill its fourth centenary. It also highlights the Ntro process output. Father Jesus of the Column that is loaded by a squad of Costa Rican women and is the oldest image of how many people are prosecuting the streets of Medina.

• Corpus Christi (June): Proceeding out of the custody of silver (sixteenth century)XVIand the passage Our Lady of Peace. In the processional courtroom there are the children who have performed their First Communion and all over the floor of the streets of the route there are rosemary thrown. The balconies are adorned with blankets and blankets and coloured salt carpets are made in the main streets.

• Gloria Processions:
  • Departure Ntra. Sra. del Carmen (16 July)
  • Departure Ntra. Sra. de la Victoria (15 August)

• Velada de Santiago (25 July)
• Romería de San Isidro Labrador (May): in the rural centre of San José de Malcocinado.
• Romería de San Fermín (July): in the rural centre of Los Badalejos.

Patio asidonense

• Days of Open Gates (December): Its duration is several days, at the beginning of December coinciding with the day of the Constitution and the day of the Immaculate. The days are composed of the Route of Monuments, the Route of the Patios, and the Route of the Exhibitions. In addition, during the days a Craft Market is installed in the Plaza de Abastos, where the Christmas Buñuelada is also held. Other activities that take place during these days are: theatres, concerts, children's activities, youth parties, etc. In the Route of Monuments, the churches, the convents, the Roman Archaeological Complex and the Roman Calzada stand out. In the Third Edition (2007), as a novelty, the visit to the ruins of the castle of Medina Sidonia was opened to the public in its first phase of consolidation and value. The guided tour was accompanied by explanations of archaeological performances and findings. With regard to the Patios Route, close to 25 private properties can be visited between houses of neighbors asidonenses and patios of hotels. In this walk through the courtyards we will be able to find ourselves with patios of Casas Señoriales, with the typical Andalusian courtyard, with the patios of neighbors ornamented to the saturation, with patios that are museums in themselves or with patios restored respecting to the least detail to preserve their originality.

• ExpoMedina (December): multisectoral exhibition.
• Bethlehem Living (December): More than 600 figures, composed of neighbors of all ages, are responsible for giving life with as much realism as possible to the 66 scenes that form Bethlehem: the Birth, the camp of the Magi, the office of Roman empadronment, artisan workshops, farmwork, grazing work, merchants, barberry, butchery, laborers, etc. Since its fourth edition (2007) the Bethlehem takes place throughout the Santa Maria neighborhood, along the streets and squares most typical of the Historical-Artistic Set: San Francisco de Paula Street, Llanete Square, Bohórquez Street, San José Street, Plaza de la Iglesia Mayor, Vicario Martínez Street and Victoria Street. The number of visitors that gathers is increasing every year, reaching the IV Edition to gather between 30,000 and 40,000 people. In its 6th edition (2009), the tour was raised throughout the Barrio de Santa María, starting in the millennial Arc de la Pastora, passing through Muro Street, Plaza del Llanete de los Herederos, Siñigo, Correo, Alonso Picazo, Ntra. Sra de la Paz (Calle Ancha), la Plazuela, Convento de las Monjas de Arriba, Plaza Iglesia Santa María, Plaza Arco de Bethlehem and, as a closing door, the Arc de Bethlehem. However, and due to a temporary fort that struck the province of Cadiz during this date, the Bethlehem had to be definitively suspended.
• White Nights, with various shows during August.

During the summer different festivals are celebrated such as: the pepper festival, the conch, the chicharroná, the gazpacho festival, the burning of Juanillo, etc.

Gastronomy

Mantecado de Medina

Alfajor de Medina

Pastry

• Alphajor
• Yellow
• Tortas pardas
• Turtle
• Piñonate
• Pestiños
• Yemas
• Mantecado
• Powder
• Christmas threads

Notable personalities Fray Andrés de San Miguel