plaza de españa

The Extramuros Route has a linear layout and begins in the Plaza de España (16th-17th century). It was formerly used by noblemen and knights as a venue for bullfighting festivities, as well as being a meeting point for commercial exchanges.

The fountain in the centre of the square dates from 1955 and is made of Sevillian tiles. Popularly known as the "Pl. de los Pescaítos", nowadays it is the setting for the main events of the most important festivity in the town, "La Velada en honor a la Virgen de la Oliva", Patron Saint of Vejer. (from 10 to 24 August). Access to this square is via two somewhat steep ramps.

ARCH OF THE VILLA

Opposite the Town Hall stands the Town Hall, and next to it, the Arco de la Villa (12th-13th century), one of the four original gates of the walled city. This gate was the most important, as it connected with the slope of La Barca and the Concejo fountain, although it has not been preserved in its original state.

MAYORAZGO TOWER

Moving in the direction of Pl. del Padre Caro. This route has a small difficulty, as the pavement is very small, so you have to walk on the road itself.

To the left of this street is a stretch of the wall (12th-13th century) and on the corner of it stands the Torre del Mayorazgo, whose function was to guard against possible sieges

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FATHER CARO SQUARE

In Father Caro Square, on the façade of the Church of La Merced (17th century) we find a relief in homage to the typical costume of the vejeriega woman,

El Cobijado. Its origin is Castilian, with Islamic influences, beginning to be used during the 16th and 17th centuries. It consists of a white petticoat with embroidered strips, a white blouse with lace, a black sackcloth tied at the waist and a black cloak that covered the woman completely, leaving her left eye uncovered. The costume was banned in 1936, as it was used to mask crimes. Its use was recovered in 1976, and it can now be seen during the Patron Saint Festivities.

CORREDERA

From here we can cross the pedestrian crossing to access the Calle Corredera, an impressive natural viewpoint overlooking the countryside. This first stretch of road is very narrow and somewhat steep. We must drive with caution, although pedestrians have the right of way.

SCULPTURE BY JUAN RELINQUE

To our left we find the sculpture that pays homage to Juan Relinque, a local hero who defended the Hazas de Suerte, communal lands donated by the Kings of Castile to the town of Vejer to repopulate the area after the Reconquest. The Duke of Medina Sidonia wanted to take possession of these lands. After several lawsuits, a judgement was handed down in favour of the neighbours. The Hazas de Suerte is one of the most deeply-rooted traditions in the village and is drawn every four years, on 22 December.

Next to the sculpture is another of the gates of the Walled Enclosure, the Arch of Sancho IV (12th-13th century).

CINEMATOGRAPH AND THE CORREDERA TOWER

Continuing along the route, we come across a sculpture-like cinematograph on our right. This was the site of the old "Cine Corredera" which was in operation from the 1950s to the 1970s.

A little further on, we enter the widest part of this promenade from where we can see to the left part of the old wall and another of the watchtowers, the "Torre de la Corredera".

VEJERIEGA COUNTRYSIDE

To our right, we can enjoy a splendid landscape towards the Vejeriega countryside and the Janda region. It was here that the Battle of La Janda or the Battle of Guadalete took place (year 711), in which the North African troops of Tarik defeated D. Rodrigo, thus leaving Vejer under Muslim rule for more than five centuries.

PLAZUELA

At the end of the street, turn left towards the Plazuela (this section is a little difficult due to the narrowness of the pavement and the steepness of the terrain).

This square connects the old town with the new area. Here we find the old Convent San Francisco (16th century), nowadays converted into a hotel, and the Casa de la Juventud (Youth House), where you can ask for information about tourist and cultural activities.

C/ JUAN RELINQUE Y PLAZA DE SAN FRANCISCO

From this Plazuela we continue along C/ Juan Relinque, popularly known as the Calle Alta,

The first part of this street is pedestrianised. It is full of shops, bars, ice-cream parlours... to our right we find an archway through which we access San Francisco Square, where we find the Municipal Cinema Theatre and the Food Market, converted into a gastronomic market. (Both accessible).

JUNCTION WITH C/ SANTÍSIMO

We continue our walk along C/ Juan Relinque.

We will enjoy the beauty of its typical houses with white façades and Andalusian patios (portals nº 25, 18, 22 and 53. They are not accessible, they can be seen from the outside) and beautiful views of the monumental area, highlighting:

The one at the junction with Santísimo Street. From here you can see the Parish Church of Divino Salvador (16th century). From here the route is semi-pedestrianised.

JUNCTION WITH C/ SAGASTA

The one at the junction with C/ Sagasta. From here you can see the dome of the old Convent of the Conceptionists (16th century), currently home to the Museum of Customs and Traditions, the Arch of the Nuns (18th century) (one of the most typical streets of the village) and the Castle (10th-11th century), as well as part of the layout of the wall.