Area Guide for Huelva, Huelva

Introduction:

Huelva sits a little over 90 kilometres from Sevilla. Many travel through the city on their way to neighbouring Portugal, but few actually realise there is much to see in the city itself. The city is not attractive from outer appearances and that is why many tourists overlook it. Huge industrial parks outline the city centre creating an unattractive façade. It is not until you have entered the core of the city or discovered the vast number of outlying beaches that its beauty can be appreciated.
 
As the capital city of the province of Huelva, the city of Huelva is a major attraction for historians. Huelva is the city in which Christopher Columbus planned and hired men for his famed journey to America.
 
Due to its close ties with Christopher Columbus’s journey, Huelva offers a rich and exciting history. Ignore the outer city limits and get to know the real Huelva - the one that is a beautiful historic gem.

History:

Known for huge mineral deposits, Huelva was first occupied during the Bronze Age. During this time, the settlers tapped into the wealth of minerals in what is now called the Rio Tinto Mines. Eventually, Huelva (then called Onabu) became home to Phoenicians in the seventh century. The Phoenicians realised the area’s prime location on the Atlantic Ocean and the copious amounts of minerals made it a prime trade route.
 
Eventually, the Romans took over the area, naming it Huelva Onuba Æstuaria, and made a productive lifestyle for themselves mining silver and copper.  These metals were in demand so the Romans did quite well bringing in needed materials for their people.
 
When the Arabs/Moors took over the city, they renamed it Ghelbah, and continued using the area as a main trade route focusing their trading with Northern Africa. The Moors ruled the area for many years until Alfonso X led troops to battle and took over the city.
 
Alfonso X’s reign brought much change to the city. Huelva came under Sevilla’s control and continued as a major port city, however the city did not flourish. In the fifteenth century, Christopher Columbus came to the port looking to hire men for his voyage to America. When he eventually returned, his discovery of America turned Huelva into a thriving port city with plenty of trade coming between Spain and America.
 
Things went well until the 1700s when a major earthquake wreaked havoc on the city’s many Moorish buildings. The majority of the city had to be rebuilt. Huge mines were established and the city lost much of its original charm.

Site Seeing:

During the first week of August, a huge, weeklong celebration hits the streets of Huelva. The Fiestas Colombinas celebrates Columbus’s key voyage. The event offers dancing, music, parades, races, and plenty of traditional fare.
 
Many of the sites in Huelva focus on Christopher Columbus’s visits to the area. At Museo Provincial, historians can learn about Columbus’s voyage, the history of the Rio Tinto Mines, and many artifacts left over from the beginnings of Huelva.
 
Monasterio de la Rabida is an appealing fourteenth century monastery in which Columbus came to plead for royal backing to his voyage to America. Inside the monastery, many paintings of Columbus’s time in Huelva are hung, as well as physical documents regarding his voyage.
 
Before setting sail, Columbus spent many hours praying for a safe journey at the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Cinta. The fifteenth century chapel has received many facelifts throughout the centuries.
 
The Catedral de la Merced is a sixteen-century church that is the area’s only church that was not damaged in the 1755 earthquake. From the outside, the church’s brilliant pink façade is certain to catch your eye.
 
Heading about seven kilometres up stream in neighbouring Punta del Sebo, tourists can find a statue of Columbus. Situated right at the point from where he departed for this third journey, the statue is a tribute to the man and his amazing voyages. Also, be sure to visit El Muelle de las Carabelas, the wharf from where the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria set sail. The wharf offers replicas of the ships, as well as the bunkhouse in which Columbus and the sailors all lived crammed together as they prepared for their journey.

Industry:

With a competitive mining industry, Huelva’s economy does extremely well. This is more to this city beyond mining, however. Agriculture is another main industry within the area.
 
The city’s outlying fields and rich soil help it produce ample supplies of wheat. With the regions hot sun, grapes thrive, so local wine making is another thriving industry.
 
Tourism is not one of the larger economic factors, but it certainly does not hurt. Pristine beaches and the close proximity to Southern Portugal keep tourists coming through the area regularly.

Gastronomy:

Huelva is known for fresh seafood. Many seafood restaurants offer fare taken straight from the ocean and then Portuguese or Andalusian styles of cooking turn the seafood into impressive entrees.
 
Las Meigas is a restaurant that everyone raves about. Seafood is baked in salt crusts or broiled to preserve the fresh taste. Nothing fancy should be expected. Try the Basque classic of baked hake with garlic, potatoes, and olive oil.
 
Farqueo sits right on the port. You can watch fish swimming in the ocean, as you dine on their cousins! Live music is played every Thursday. A house specialty is fresh squid cooked in seafood.
 
El Paraíso is not much to look at from the outside, but the seafood inside makes this one of the areas greatest spots. Sea bass cooked in a salt crust is one of the restaurant’s specialties. The fish is thoroughly coated in a paste of salt and water and then baked. Before serving the crust (now much like a hard clay) is cracked and removed.

Nightlife:

In reality, there is not much for the active partier in Huelva. Many quiet tapas bars can be found, but active dance clubs are not in existence. Nights are spent with friends enjoying meals and local wines, not partying until the early hours.
 
For dance clubs, La Alameda attracts crowds in the summer. The disco offers an outdoor patio garden for dancing. Otherwise, most residents head to neighbouring cities.
 
A local Irish pub offers cold beers and fun times. Docklands is a warm, friendly establishment that draws in tourists and residents alike.
 
Taberna el Condado is located in the city centre. This tapas bar is one of the areas best and serves locally smoked ham that leaves you craving more.

Summary:

With its convenient location, Huelva is a perfect spot for taking in a few sites, visiting Portugal, and hitting the beaches. With the impressive ties to Christopher Columbus, Huelva is a great spot for any history buff. The sunny beaches, friendly residents, and amazing seafood are enough to keep everyone else coming back year after year. Islantilla Golf Resort is a newer establishment that features an incredible golf course. Located approximately 30 kilometres from Huelva, it still draws in many guests to the area. Onsite restaurants and the close proximity to the Portugal border make this a tourist favourite. Huelva is home to many fine seaside resorts. The city of Huelva boasts many breathtaking beaches, so sun loving tourists flock to the seaside resorts for some relaxation.

Useful Business Links for Huelva:

Do you offer a service in this area? If so, why not put a link here directly to your website. Contact Ask Olive today.