Carmona

This Seville village, 33 kilometres from the capital is defined by numerous towers but the most outstanding is that of San Pedro of Mudejar style which reproduces on a smaller scale the Giralda in Sevilla right down to its giraldino.

The village is of Carthaginian origin, and the romans made of it an important commercial centre. Its Roman necropolis is one of the most important in Spain, and more than three hundred tombs have been discovered. Traces of its Arab past also remain but it was Pedro I who gave it its greatest grandeur, converting the Arab Alcazar into a palace which at the present time is a tourist Parador hotel.

The tourist that wants to get to know Carmona, though has it easy. Immediately upon arrival he should go to the Tourist Reception Centre which is designed to serve the visitor by offering him all the services that he might require. He will be informed there that its carnivals get more exciting with each passing year and that Holy Week has been declared of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia.

Its narrow streets, secluded plazas tall doorways or the monumental and imposing Gate of Seville make of its processional parades a unique combination of sobriety, devotion and beauty. And if you want to die laughing there is a Theatre of Humour Festival on Fridays of the second two weeks in October and first two weeks of November.