Overview

The city El Puerto de Santa María is known locally as El Puerto and it means “The port of Saint Mary”. This municipal town is in Cadiz province in Spain and is located near Guadalete River bank. The population of this city is about 82,500 as per 2005 census.

The distance between El Puerto de Santa Maria and Cadiz is about 10 KM. The ferryboat, El Vaporcito, has been carrying passengers between this city and Cadiz for the last 76 years.

History

In the Greek poem “Odyssey” Homer has indicated that after the conclusion of Trojan War, Menestheus, an officer in the Greek army and his troops escaped through Gibraltar Straits and arrived at the river Guadalete. They settled in this place and named it port Menestheus. The Moors from North Africa invaded this place in 711 and named this place Alcanatif meaning Port of salt. This is because of the salt industry that was prevalent during the times of Romans and Phoenicians.

This city was renamed by Castile King Alfonso X in 1260 as Santa María del Puerto. Alfonso’s swelling in the leg appears to have been cured after he visited the Santa Maria church in El Puerto.

The 2nd expedition to America by Columbus started from this city El Puerto. Columbus came to this city in 1480 where his travel plan was much appreciated. Many wealthy traders who traded between Spain and America lived in this city. This city was a royal galleys port in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

During the Peninsular War in the 19th century, the French Armed forces under Jose Bonaparte’s command made this as their General Headquarters. This city is very close to the cities Cadiz and Seville which have a long history.

Climate

This city has 3000 hours of sunshine every year and even in winter the temperature remains above 20 °C.

Art and Culture

The following are some of the important historical monuments.

1.Plaza de Toros – constructed in 1880.
2.The Vaporcito – a motorboat that carries passengers between Port Santa María and Cadiz.
3.The Monastery of Victoria.

Cuisine

The seafood and tapas in El Puerto are excellent and many tourists are attracted to the food here. Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables are also available in this city.

Sports and Entertainment

The bullring in El Puerto was built in 1880 and it can accommodate 15,000 persons at any point of time. People enjoy bullfighting during May and August each year.

Business

The main revenue for this city comes from tourism; lots of tourists come to this city because there are many beaches in this city and in addition to that bullfights are held in the arena during summer. When the Grand Prix of Jerez Motorcycle is held in this city, number of motorcyclists comes to this city for participating in it. The wine industry in this city is well developed.

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