Huelva

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THE GRAND THEATRE Inaugurated in 1923, it is neoclassical style. Dedicated to theatrical and cinematographic activities.
Mineral loading platform.
MONASTERY MONASTERIO DE SANTA MARÍA DE LA RÁBIDA Located opposite Sebo Point at the mouth of the river Tinto. It stands on a hill primitively known as the Rock of Saturn (Peña de Saturno) where the Phoenicians built a temple to the god Baal and the Romans to the goddess Proserpina. Today it is a Franciscan convent which was built in the XV century on an old Almohad building of the fortress. It is the place where Columbus organized his first expedition and in which he found support to present himself before Isabel the Catholic Queen. Inside, the simplicity of the cloisters stands out as do the frescos which allude to the Discovery done in the thirties by Vazquez Diaz. The church is Gothic-Mudejar style and preserves a crucifix from the XV century.
REINA VICTORIA WORKING CLASS DISTRICT Group of semi-detached houses of English architectonic style. Built in the year 1917 by the mining company Rio-Tinto Company Limited for its workers. It is worth noting that each block of houses has a particular detail in its construction that distinguishes it from the rest.
PROVINCIAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS. PEAR-SHAPED JUG The provincial museum of Fine Arts (museo provincial de Bellas Artes) contains sections on Archaeology and Fine Arts. The collection of objects corresponding to Tartessian culture and representatiave of dolmenic culture is abundant. It also has a varied exhibition of paintings of different styles and times, in particular by Vazquez Diaz.
MONUMENT TO COLUMBUS Erected in 1929. Work of the North American sculptor Gertrudis V. Whitney. It stands on Sebo point, right at the confluence of the rivers Tinto and Odiel. It is one of the symbols of the city in spite of being a recent work.
SANCTUARY SANTUARIO DE NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA CINTA Built in the XV century in Gothic style it underwent significant later remodelation up until the XVIII century. Erected in honour of the Patron saint of the city, it is almost outside the town at the end of the Avenida de Manuel Siurot. The cloisters and the tiles are worthy of note, the latter being the work of Zuloaga, which recall Christopher Columbus’ visit to this sanctuary on his return from the Indias, in fulfillment of the promise he made during critical moments of his voyage.
CHURCH IGLESIA DE LA CONCEPCIÓN Built in the XVI century. It had to be rebuilt after the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. It seems that it was the first church that was built in Spain dedicated to the Inmaculada Concepción. Inside it has beautiful choir stalls and various works by Zurbaran.
ST PETER’S CHURCH IGLESIA DE SAN PEDRO Situated in St Peter’s Square, it was built during the XV and XVI centuries on the site occupied by a Mudejar mosque. During Baroque times it underwent modifications, especially to the tower, square-based and decorated with tile friezes. It is the oldest church in the city.
CATHEDRAL It is also known as Iglesia de la Merced because it was part of the convent of the Merced order. It was built in 1605 and turned into a cathedral in 1953. It stands out because of its elegant façade with superposed orders and it has a sculpture of Christ from Jerusalem inside.
Virgen de la Caridad, patron saint of Huelva.
Juan Ramón Jiménez.
Cinco de Octubre Square.
Parque de las Palmeras.
Nuevo Colombino Stadium.
Fountain of Tritons.

History

It has been verified from remains found that there was already mining activity in Huelva in the Bronze Age, although there are also traces of prior human settlements.

Recent archaeological studies confirm that it was precisely here, in the confluence of the river Tinto and river Odiel, that the heart of Tartessos and its civilization was located. Later, in the VII and V centuries BC, Phoenicians and Carthaginians who worked the silver mines settled in the town.

From Roman times there are references from classical historians, like the Itinerant Antonino, who speaks of a road that went from the mouth of the Guadiana, in the direction of Merida, and on which were located various mints which minted coins. Indeed, around the year 194 BC the town was taken by the Romans who called it Onuba.

During Al-Andalus times, Huelva must have been an important town whose port was open to Africa and to commerce with Algeciras, Malaga and Seville. Nevertheless, control of the area of Huelva wasin Niebla.

The Christian conquest was carried out, along with Niebla, by Alfonso X in 1262. After the conquest was granted immunity to Huelva in 1264.

After the war of Granada in January 1492, Queen Isabella of Castile granted the first expedition of Cristóbal Colón. Huelva will be the start of this adventure, the port of Palos de la Frontera was taken as a point of departure and arrival location Huelva upon his return. Of all the provinces of Andalusia, Huelva was the first who produced more Americans migrants. It was the first issue and many others came later. Later however, with the centralization of trade in the Indies in Seville and the Guadalquivir, in Huelva there is a secular prostration of which would not leave until centuries later.

In fact, it would not be recovered until 1833, with the country's administrative division into provinces, when Huelva became the capital of the province.

In 1874 the British took over the mines, which gave a huge boost to the city that saw its population multiplied.

In 1964 the Center for Development of Huelva was created, an event that contributed to the growth of the town which still maintains itself as an important industrial centre.

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Huelva

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