Molino Nuestra Senora de la Luz

Las Monjas Hill

by bugalugs

Exploring these tiny little alleys I find fascinating you dont know what you are going to see. Here in Las Monjas Hill is the Convent of the Incarnation (Encarnacion Convent) which is early 16th century.

St Michael's Church (San Miguel)

by bugalugs

Before the church soot here it was in the 15th century an arab fortress. Later it became St Michaels church but in 1684 rain destroyed a lot of it. This construction dates to the 18th century. It has also been used as an orphange. Now it is used as a conference centre.

Chapel of Mercy

by bugalugs

This was originally a children's home, hospital and women's refuge and was founded in 1490.

Inside (and apparently you can go in here if the door is not locked) are carvings of one of the late Dukes of Arcos namely Don Rodrigo and his wife Dona Beatriz. Dona Beatriz also founded the Chapel of Mercy.

Arcos De La Frontera

by bugalugs

"A little white village"

Arcos de la Frontera is known as one of the White Villages or Pueblos Blancos of which there are a few in this area of Andalucia.
We had been staying in Gibraltar for a few days, hired a car and decided to visit a few places in the area.

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As you approach you can see the village high up on top of a rock which is made of limestone. Perched on the edge is the Castillo de los Arcos which overlooks the Guadelete River below. Here at the Castle is where the Dukes of Arcos lived. In 1472 is was bestowed with the name of 'City' by Henry IV of Castile.

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On the hill of Acros is the old town, narrow little alleyways waiting to be explored, old churches to visit, wine bars to drink in - lol and breathtaking views. Lower down the hill is the newer part of town.

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Streets Scenes

by alucas

Here are a few views of the streets in Arcos, just to give you a flavour of the place.

This is the main street leading up to the centre. The specks in the sky are swifts - there were lots in Arcos, swooping around the squares and narrow streets.

This buttress on the church is the "pinch-point" for access into the very heart of the centre. Believe it or not, a minibus can just get through, but there was a bit of a traffic jam at the sharp right-hand bend the other side !

At the top of the hill, there is the main square - Plaza Cabildo - by the church. The castle at the back is privately owned - and not open to visitors :-(

Facing it is the Parador - but I haven't got a picture of it !

In the distance on the left you can see the vuewpoint - the Balcon de Arcos

The church is the Iglesia Santa Maria. The church tower is at the side, and faces the square, and the spectacular view beyond. (Se the next travelogue)