Ecija

The lovely City of sun and Towers considered one of the most important artistic centres in southern Spain sits in the valley of the River Genil. It is a delight to the visitor to move through the streets of Ecija thanks to the view of its towers, domes and pierced bell walls, palaces, temples and unforgettable hidden nooks. Its streets are an open air museum in which are outstanding the Benamejí Palace, which houses the Municipal Historical Museum, the Peñaflor Palace, also called palace of the long balconies, which has a notable façade decorated with fresco paintings; the Santiago Church the most interesting ecclesiastic building of the Ecija historical complex; the church of San Gil in the highest part of the city; the convent of Las Teresas: the beautiful house-palace of Los Palma, which can be visited; or the imposing Capital Hall in the Town Hall with its carved wooden framework, its mosaics, its canopy and its pews. Tour all these jewels during Holy Week, which has been declared of National tourist Interest.

Its proximity to nature parks such as Sierra Norte, Hornachuelos or subbética makes Ecija an ideal place to enjoy nature. A good opportunity is during the Falconry Championship of Spain, in which the professionals will leave you wide-eyed at the hunting of hers on horseback.

The horses are another attraction. The city is the cradle of world-renowned thoroughbred Raza Española, thoroughbred Arab and Anglo-Arab horses. Herds such as those of Cárdenas, Díaz, Osuna, Puertohermoso, Tamarit and Rodriguez de Torres with their exceptional specimens have made the name of Ecija famous throughout the world. The stupendous quality of this countryside for the raising of horses has made Ecija one of the main horse centres of the country, with the Military Herd, the Equine Reproduction centre and the state selection centre for breeding dock being located in the city, as well as the headquarters of the Association of Anglo- Arab Horse Breeders, in whose centre racehorses and jumping horses are trained. With all this Ecija offers to whomever visits the opportunity to experience the worlds of the horse in the perfect place, participating as spectator in the organised activities in the equestrian environment.