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Located
27km
north
east
of
Cadiz
within
Andalucia
it is
a
centre
of
equestrianism
and
flamenco
and is
best
known
for
giving
its
name
to
sherry,
one of
the
most
popular
drinks
in the
world.
Jerez
offers
a wide
selection
of
bars
and
restaurants
and a
wonderful
shopping
experience
in the
main
street,
Calle
Larga.
The
streets
and
walkways
of
Jerez
are
lined
with
orange
trees
and on
every
street
corner
you
will
see
stacks
of oak
barrels
representing
the
history
of the
city.
In one
of the
main
squares
stands
a
statue,
surrounded
by
tapas
bars
where
you
can
sit
and
enjoy
the
sunshine,
watching
life
go by.
In
this
square
is a
regular
book
fair
selling
every
book
imaginable.
The
Public
College
of San
Miguel
de
Cervantes
stands
on the
right,
a
dominant
building.
The
church
in
Plaza
de San
Miguel
is
worthy
of a
visit
as it
towers
above
you.
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The
Royal
Andalucian
School
of
Equestrian
Art
is
worth
a
visit
with
one of
their
popular
horse
displays.
The
school
is
located
on
Avenida
Duque
de
Abrantes,
to the
north
of the
centre
of
town.
Next
door
is the
Sandeman
bodega
which
welcomes
visitors.
(Tel
956
312
995 or
Email).
Jerez'
importance in the equestrian world is evident by the number of
bronze statures in the town.
Within
Jerez,
you
must
visit
the
restored
11th
century
Alcazar
and
Arab
Baths.
The
Alcazar
is
open
from
10am-6pm.
The
Alcazar
has a
superb
octagonal
tower
(Torre
Octogonal).
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There
is a
wonderful
Archaeological
Museum
in the
Plaza
del
Mercado.
The
museum
is
open
every
day
except
Mondays.
Opening
hours
are
10-2
and
4-7 on
Tuesday-Friday
and
10-2.30
at
weekends
and on
holidays.
The
museum
is
best
known
for
the
Greek
helmet
and
the
Bronze
Age
stone
sculpture
that
are on
display.
Jerez
also
has an
interesting
clock
museum,
the
Palace
of
Time.
It is
located
in La
Atalaya
Exhibition
Centre.
There
are
more
than
300
time
pieces
on
display.
It
also
includes
splendid
gardens.
Entry
to the
museum
is
approx.
5€.
The
Flamenco
Museum
is
located
in
Plaza
de San
Juan
and is
the
most
important
museum
of its
kind
anywhere. |
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Despite
all
the
new
attractions
the
town
has
developed
for
modern
society,
the
town
has
retained
its
charm
and
beauty
and
has
preserved
its
history.
There
are
many
monuments
worth
visiting,
not
least
of all
the
Baroque Cathedral with
its
magnificent
towers.
The
cathedral
was
built
in
1700
on the
ruins
of an
old
mosque.
It was
built
by the
two
brothers, Diaz
de los
Reyes in
Seville
style.
The
cathedral
houses
several
important
works
of
art.
Jerez
has
more
than
its
share
of
churches,
all
monuments
to
time
and
tradition
along
with a
good
handful
of
palaces. |
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The Convento de Santa Domingo was founded by Alfonso X after his conquest of the city. The church originally only had one nave but a second was added to make extra space for the worsjippers that came here to pray to the Virgen de la Consolacion, the traditional patron of Jerez. The church today looks rather unusual, having two naves, each with its own access door. The mix of styles is also evident, Gothic alongside Romanesque.
The Palacio Domecq is considered the best Baroque palace in Jerez. It was built in 1775 by the Marques de Montana and is presently owned by the Domecq family. Having two floors, it is constructed around a central courtyard which is supported by marble columns. The most attractive part outside is the doorway with its unique ornamentation.
The Plaza Rafael Rivero is one of the quaintest corners of old Jerez. The plaza is lined with neo-classical mansions including that of Don Pedro Domecq de la Riva at number 1. In the centre of the plaza is a bust of Rafael Rivero, Mayor of Jerez in the 19th century.
The Plaza de Plateros is the commercial centre of the old town and worthy of a visit. There are tiny streets leading in all directions, each with splendid buildings on both sides.
It seems wherever you go in Jerez, the architecture is superb. |
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The
motor
racing
track
(Circuito
de
Jerez)
is now
a
major
attraction
to
Jerez,
especially
at the
time
of the
world
championships
when
hundreds
of
thousands
of
motorbikes
enter
the
town.
Speed
and
agility
events
are
staged
in the
streets
all
night.
For
tickets
Tel
956
151
103 or
email
taquilla@circuitodejerez.com.
The
circuit is located on the N382 Jerez-Arcos road at km6.5, (10km
from Jerez).
The
children
will
love
to see
the
zoo
which
has a
wide
selection
of
well
cared
for
animals.
The
zoo
(Parque
Zoologico)
is to
be
found
east
of the
town
centre
and is
open
from
10am -
6pm.
Closed
on
Mondays.
Jerez
is a
very
interesting
place
to
visit
that
offers
something
for
everyone,
will
keep
you
very
busy
and
makes
an
ideal
base
for a
weekend
stop-over
or a
full
week's
sight-seeing
holiday.
The
best
way to
see
Jerez
is by
open-top
tour
bus;
cheap
and
reliable.
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For
thousands
of
years,
Jerez
has
been
the
centre
for
sherry
and
brandy
production
and as
such,
here
you
will
find
the
bodegas
of the
top
names
in the
sherry
world.
Most
allow
visits
to the
bodegas,
One
such
bodega
was
visited
by the
Idealspain
team
in May
2003;
the
Gonzalez
Byass
bodega,
home
of Tio
Pepe.
We are
not
sure
if
this
is
typical
of the
bodega
visits,
however,
our
opinion
is
that
although
it was
an
interesting
tour,
it was
over-priced
(considering
the
amount
of
money
the
company
makes
anyway),
it was
rushed
and
was
not
suitable
for
children
as
there
was
nothing
for
them
to do.
The
tour
cost
7€ per
person.
Guided
tours
take
place
just a
few
times
each
day,
in
various
languages. |
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As
with
everywhere
in
Spain,
Jerez
has a
fair
share
of
fiestas,
one of
the
most
popular
being
the
Horse
Feria
(La
Feria
del
Caballo).
This
takes
place
in May
and
features
taming
and
riding
competitions;
trophies
for
the
best
horses
and
equine
exhibitions.
It is
combined
with
one of
the
largest
feria
and
funfairs
in
Spain.
The
lights
on the
feria
ground
have
more
than a
million
bulbs.
The
event
lasts
a
whole
week
and
you
will
not
find
any
accommodation
in
Jerez
unless
booked
well
in
advance.
Expect
to pay
more
than
double
the
normal
rate
for
hotels.
(We
paid
257€
for
one
night
in the
Sherry
Park
Hotel,
a four
star
and
in our
opinion,
not
worth
half
that
amount).
The
feria
ground
covers
more
than
52,000
square
metres
of
land
and
houses
216
casitas.
This
feria
has
been
in
existence
since
the
times
of
Alfonso
X the
Wise
and
casitas
have
been
used
since
the
beginning
of the
20th
century.
Formerly
tents
were
set up
for
private
parties
and
dancing.
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2010 Jerez Feria del Caballo (Horse Fair) |
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If
ever
you
managed
to see
all
the
sights
of
Jerez
and
wanted
to see
the
surrounding
area
then
take
the
toll
road
towards
Seville
and at
exit
45
turn
off to
Los
Cabezas
de San
Juan.
From
here
you
can
visit
Espera
and
Arcos.
You
also
have a
wide
selection
of
golf
courses
in the
area. |
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Bargain priced Insurance for your holiday home in Spain or for your Spanish home. Policies in English and English speaking helplines. The prices are the lowest you will find anywhere |
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