Alcalá de los Gazules is located in the centre of the Province of Cádiz, about an hour's drive from the coast and on the very edge of the Alcornocales Natural Park. It is just 15 kilometres east of Medina Sidonia. Many tourists will drive past Alcalá on the A381 road from Los Barrios to Jerez making Gibraltar and Jerez both very handy airports.
This Andalusian white village has remained largely unchanged over recent years and the old town centre officially declared of "Historic-Artistic" status in 1984 because of its baroque and neoclassic architecture, as well as the typically Andaluz houses which give it an authentically local atmosphere.
Alcalá de los Gazules is on the famous 'Ruta del Toro' (Route of the Fighting Bull) and is the main town for access to the huge Parque Natural de los Alcornocales - a nature-lovers paradise ('alcornocales' is Spanish for "cork oak forests"). the park is made up of miles of beautiful forests, clean air and mile after mile of walks and cycle tracks. As well as nature lovers, those interested in both big and small game hunting are also attracted to Alcalá where the restaurants are famous for wild boar.
The town centre is compact, with steep uneven streets, three main squares and sometimes blinding whitewashed walls. Being off the tourist beaten track, there are fewer bars and restaurants than in coastal towns and you are less likely to come across English speakers or British menus.
At the time of the Muslim conquest the village took the name of "Qalat al Jazula" or "Castle of the Gazules" and part of the Castle from that time can still be found at the very top of the town and is currently being incorporated into a major new park with views for miles over the countryside. In 1264 the city was reconquered by the Christians under King Alfonso X (known as Alfonso The Wise), that it first became known by its present name of "Alcalá de los Gazules". Other historic monuments well worth visiting are the Church of San Jorge, the church of San Francisco and the Convent of Santa Domingo Convent, the Fuente de la Salada and (5 kilometers outside of the town) the Sanctuary of the patron Virgen de los Santos.
- Important
celebrations in Alcala de los Gazules
- Carnaval (variable but usually the first week of March)
- Semana Santa (Holy Week)
- St.George's Day on the 23rd April ("San Jorge" is the patron saint of the town)
- Feria (the town fair) celebrated in the last week of August.
- La Romería (Pilgrimage) of Nuestra Señora de los Santos on 12th September.
