The Jewel of the Costa de la Luz
Prologue:
The pueblo of Vejer de la Fontera is situated in the south/west of the Cadíz province in the region of La Janda .
Vejer de la Fontera the castellated white village of the Costa de la Luz.
Set on a hilltop of 200 m the views reach as far as the coast and the Cape of Trafalgar.
When you explore the labyrinth of streets of Vejer de la Frontera you feel yourself set back in Moorish times of Al Andaluz. Its history goes far back to the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans.
The town was declared a Historical Site and awarded the National Prize for the Beautification of Andalusian towns.
Directions:
- From Marbella A-7 you drive in the direction Cadíz N340.
- To Vejer de la Frontera it takes you about 2 hours.
- It is a very scenic drive which takes you along the coast from Marbella to Algeciras, Tarifa and on to Vejer de la Frontera.
After Tarifa the Cadíz countryside is less built up. As you drive along the Atlantic coast you come across long golden sandy beaches with high sand dunes, surrounded by unspoiled countryside. Occasionally you find grazing herds of cows and bulls in the open pastures.
As the land levels out, as far as the eye can see is agricultural land.
It is certainly a nice contrast to drive along for miles on straight empty roads compared to the busy A 7 on the Costa del Sol.
From a distance you will see Vejer de la Frontera perched on top of a hill.
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| Calle de la Corredera |
Calle de la Corredera.
From here as you look over the side walls, you are blessed with wonderful panoramic views, looking over the river Barbate and the surrounding countryside.
As you walk back about 100 m on the right side, you will find an archway which leads you towards the center of the old town.
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| The Arco Sancho IV el Bravo |
It leads you to Calle Sancho IV el Bravo.
The Casa del Mayorazgo is a manor house dating back to the 18th century. It has two patios, through which the house is connected with the Torre del Mayorazgo and it is also a part of the town wall. With special permission you can visit it.
Intriguingly we walk
through ancient archways
A labyrinth of streets and many nooks and hidden corners,
certainly takes you back in time.
The view down onto the Plaza de España from the Calle Sancho IV el Bravo.
At the center of the plaza is very picturesque fountain.
It is ornately tiled, and with water sprouting frogs.
The square was built in the 16th century, when the town grew beyond its walls. In 1957 a fountain was built in the center of the square, made of Sevillian tiles. It is also known as "Fuente de los Pescaitos" (fountain of the fish).
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| The town hall (Ayuntamiento) |
At this point, it is worth a mention to take a look at the Casa de Califa hotel which is decorated in Moorish style with the restaurant serving Moroccan cuisine.
To the right of the fountain stairways lead back up to the castellated part of the pueblo.
An old Cannon reminds you of the troubled past.
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| Plaza Padre Caro |
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| Callejon Oscuro (dark passage) |
The Moorish architecture is present everywhere you look.
(whitewashed facades, archways and intriguing corners).
Just some of the doorways we spotted.
When you look closely you see the old door beam.
Puerta Cerrada (Closed Door) This gate is in Calle de Juderia
in the Jewish quarter, which was the most vulnerable gate to attack by pirates and therefore was traditionally kept closed.
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| The Jewish quarter |
As we walked the narrow streets in the Jewish quarter
we came across this fascinating blue door, emblematic of earlier times.
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| Calle Guzmán el Bueno |
This street is named after Alonso Pérez de Guzmán (1256-1309), better known as Guzmán el Bueno (the goodman) He was a Spanish nobleman and hero of Spain during the medieval periods. After the conquest of Tarifa he also became defender of the Straits and in 1307 the territory was granted to Alonso Pérez de Guzmán. (read more: Guzmán el Bueno)
The view towards the view point and the new town of Vejer.
As we walk from the Calle de Juderia through the arch we come to a Mirador (viewpoint) of La Copijada.
In the corner of the Mirador you find a statue in honor of the women of Vejer de la Frontera (Vejeriega).
La Copijada (the sheltered) is a woman which in former times was found in the Cadíz Province and especially in Vejer de la Frontera. She was fully clothed in a black coat and only one eye was visible. It is said that its origin comes from Castillia between the sixteenth and seventeenth century but most likely it comes from the Muslim world. Today the women of Vejer (Vejeriega) wear la cobijada only on festive days.
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| Read more: La Cobijada |
A view towards the newer part of the pueblo.
This street leads you around the outside of the old town.
From here you will have a good view towards the Atlantic coast and the fishing port of Barbate.
In Calle Trafalgar you will find a plaque in memory of the Battle of Trafalgar which took place in the year 1805.
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| Calle Santo Cristo |
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| Calle Poca Sangre (little Blood) |
The many picturesque patios are the real hidden treasures.
Often you find doors open and you can have a discreet look inside.
Every year in Vejer de la Frontera they have a competition for the best and prettiest Patio.
A view over the old town.
You find the restaurant Peña Flamenca at the Plaza Capitán Quintanilla on Calle Rosario.
It is a flamenco club as well as a restaurant.
The building was once a church.
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| Presa Iberica |
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| Atún de Almadraba |
The aprx. route we took around the village
Related links: Vejer de la Frontera
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