Cartaya
HISTORY
Nature and beach go hand in hand in this territory, which has been the subject of stately disputes in past centuries, which has managed to preserve its traditions and the maritime legacy of its ancestors, but without giving up the tourist development of its important resources. Protected areas, nineteenth-century lighthouses, golf courses and beaches next to residential developments make up this personal corner of the Huelva coastline.
The municipality of Cartaya preserves the characteristics of a typical Andalusian town and combines them perfectly with careful tourist development, based on respect for the environment, a wide range of leisure and hotel facilities designed to offer the best setting and the best conditions for that the visitor experiences new emotions.
Agriculture has traditionally been the most important sector for the economic development of the municipality, based on the cultivation of citrus and berries. In addition, Cartaya has a rich popular and religious heritage.
Cultural
HERITAGE
The Phoenician origin of its name Carteia, indicates the antiquity of its origin. The insecurity of the area, constantly devastated by incursions by Barbary and Norman pirates, meant that a stable population was not consolidated until the beginning of the 15th century.
They are the remains of a past that has paved the way for a future based on the seafaring and, above all, agricultural tradition of the municipality.​
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natural
HERITAGE
With an area of 12,000 hectares, the Cartaya pine forest is subdivided into two well-differentiated environments: Campo Comun de Arriba and Campo Comun de Abajo; Both have great ecological and landscape value. Here you can see a wide variety of plant species from the Mediterranean forest and animal species, especially birds and small vertebrates. In this environment you can find trails, picnic areas and recreational areas for the visitor to enjoy this exceptional natural environment.
The municipality of Cartaya has 14 km. of beaches of fine sand and calm waters surrounded by beautiful pine forests, converted for decades into one of the most popular destinations on the Huelva coast. Among the tourist resources that it has, its luxurious tourist complexes stand out with three golf courses, one of them ecological, a wide range of nautical sports activities in the towns of El Rompido and Nuevo Portil, and a privileged climate of sun throughout the year with 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and an average annual temperature of 25ºC. In addition, the visitor can enjoy views of a unique environment thanks to the viewpoints that are along the coast.
Among the natural tourist resources that this municipality has are: the Marismas del RÃo Piedras and Flecha del Rompido Natural Park; the ocean, from El Rompido to Nuevo Portil, the municipal term opens to the RÃa de El Piedras; the beaches of Nuevo Portil and San Miguel, surrounded by pines and junipers.
La Flecha del Rompido is a unique sandy formation, parallel to the coast, which extends to the mouth of the RÃo Piedras and opens onto the Atlantic Ocean from a virgin beach that can be accessed thanks to the boat services that located on the river beaches. As for the vegetation, the environment is mainly made up of grass, broom or stone pine, in addition, it shelters interesting species such as the chameleon.
and traditions
PARTIES
The arrival of the new year begins with the festivity of the patron saint of Cartaya, San Sebastián. This festival is celebrated in the month of January. The saint walks through the streets of the center until he reaches Calle San Sebastián, a place where doors and balconies are decorated to receive him.
One highly relevant event is the Horse and Accessories Fair , held in March, which brings together companies from the world of horses related to flamenco fashion and livestock.
With the arrival of spring, the Pilgrimage in Honor of San Isidro Labrador is celebrated, which begins with the proclamation and the search for the saint in the hermitage. After that search, the saint remains in the San Pedro Parish Church and different cults are held until Thursday when the traditional floral offering is celebrated in the Plaza Redonda. On Friday afternoon they make a pilgrimage to the meadow where they live together during that weekend.
In the summer, the traditional festival in honor of the sailors' virgin, the Virgen del Carmen, celebrated on the last weekend of July, is eagerly awaited. During it, sports activities and musical performances are carried out, the most anticipated moment being the maritime procession of the Virgen del Carmen, held on Sunday, by the RÃo Piedras.
At the end of the summer, August and September, the Procession of Our Lady of Consolation takes place from her hermitage to the San Pedro Parish Church. For two weeks, cults are held in honor of the Virgin of Consolation. The big day of this festivity occurs in September, on the "rise", where the procession takes place back to the hermitage.
The patron saint festival par excellence is the October Fair and Festivals in Honor of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, patron saint of Cartaya. It coexists in the fairgrounds and the October Fair is held in the Exhibition Pavilion with a representative sample of local and external companies, as well as the Automotive and Nautical Show. The festival culminates with the procession of Ntra. Sra. Del Rosario through the central streets of the municipality.
