VEJER DE LA FRONTERA

Vejer is que only municipality of Janda Litoral that has it´s main body apart from the coast. High above a hill and 20 meters above sea level, Vejer is an exceptional balcony where most of the region can be seen. The municipality has smaller poblations (El Palmar, La Muela, La Barca de Vejer (Vejer´s Boat), etc...) that hold great interest for their location and possibilities for turism development.

Agriculture and farm traditions have always been the basis for the economy of this municipality. The large cereal crop fields have given form to the inner Vejer´s open country landscapes with dots of small cattle that, along with the auctoctonous bull of this area, provide a particularly beautiful image of the inner parts of the municipality.

Blueprints of ancient human presence have been found in Vejer and it´s surroundings. Under it´s walls, materias from the Bronze Era have appeared and archeologists have found an oriental settlement from the 7th Century B.C.

Following civilizations also leave their print in the city: in 711 the battle of La Janda, in wich North African troops under Tarik´s command defeated Don Rodrigo, took place. Onwards and during a century and half, La Janda remained under muslim domain and gave birth to an splendid Arab-Islamic culture that has still many traces to be seen.

Vejer has also an impressive Cultural Heritage that constitutes one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. It was recognised as Historical and Artistic Reserve back in 1976 and also was awarded with the 1st National Price of City Beautifulness (1978) and the distinction of "Touristic Zone" for eight consecutive years (1996-2000 and 2000-2004).

Vejer´s cuisine has a folk taste and runs parallel with Andalusí gastronomy. It’s distinguished by the use of land resources (golden thistles, wild asparagus, escargots...). Regarding desserts and cake specialities we must remark the Vejerian Tart, Easter roll and Lent bread.

Monuments

Divino Salvador´s parish church

Built over an old mosque, it’s comprised of two completely different parts: the Gothic-Mudejar facade from the 14th Century and an widening made in the late gothic period (late 15th Century and early 16th Century).

Castle

The castle (which obtained the category of National Monument in 1931), is of Islamic construction (10th and 11th centuries). The main entrance is particularly interesting: an horseshoe arch from which the main patio and yard is accessed. The battlements of these yards hold impressive sights.

Conceptionists Nuns Convent

Vestige from the original Convent (Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, built in 1552), has an interesting facade from the Renaissance era and also an spherical dome over the Main Chapel and vault crypts where the founders of the building rest. The convent is side by side with the most emblematic Vejer street.

Casa del Mayorazgo

Ancestral house from the late 17th and early 18th Century. It’s comprised of two patios from which the Mayorazgo Tower and traces of the old city walls are reached.

Marquis of Tamarón Palace.

Ancestral house from the late 17th and early 18th Century, built by the Segur´s arch outside the city walls. Today it houses many public services like the public library or the Culture House.

Nuestra Señora de la Oliva´s Sanctuary

Located outside the city, 5km away in Barbate´s direction. It’s built over the ruins of an old Visigothic basilica dated on the 7th Century.

Santa Lucía

Gorgeus natural spot 3 km away from Vejer in the Cádiz-Algeciras road (N-340). It’s numerous and wonderful forms of flora and the possibly roman aqueduct are specially remarkable and so are its five water mills from the 16th Century.

Festivities


  • Carnivals: February 27th to March 7th.
    Contests of groups and disguises, humor...
  • Easter: Processions during April 8th and 9th.
  • Toro Embolao: April 11th. Folk night festival.
  • Spring fair: April, 22th to 25th.
    Cattle and horse contests in their respective 19th and 25th editions.
    Horseback riding in the fairground and rociero-flamenco vibes in the stands. Bullfighting, amusement park, parades, shooting contests...
  • Procession to Nuestra Señora de la Oliva´s Sanctuary: May 7th.
  • San Juan´s Candelá: June 23th.
  • Night festivals honoring Virgen de la Oliva: August 10th to 24th.
  • Noche flamenca 32th edition: August 21th.
    It has achieved the status of National Tourist Interest.

Useful adresses


City Hall:
Plaza de España, s/n
11150 Vejer de la Frontera
Cádiz
Telephone: 956 44 71 79
Fax: 956 45 11 49

Tourism office:
c/ Marqués de Tamarón, 10
Telephone:956 45 01 91
Fax: 956 45 16 20

Taxi central:
Avda. Los Remedios
Telephone :956 45 04 08