Jerez de la Frontera is an attractive and lively small town in Andalucia, Southern Spain. Located only 100 km north of Seville, it offers similar atmosphere but also has its own face, characterized mainly by the jerez (sherry), flamenco, horses and bulls. The town offers an array of original bodegas opened to visitors where they can see how the jerez or sherry is made and aged. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is world-wide famous for its dancing horse performances and other spectacles showing the extraordinary relation between man and horse. The gipsy quarter of San Miguel perpetuates the traditions of the legendary dark-haired and deep-bosomed flamenco dancer Lola Florez, who was born in Jerez. Well bred bulls in the surrounding farmhouses enjoy their life but quite for short, because these are toros bravos, predetermined for the arena.
Jerez de la Frontera has a history of more than 3000 years. Today it is a well developed modern town with wide boulevards and superbly preserved old quarter. The splendid Moorish Alcázar with a mosque dates back to the 11th century. It is located just a short stroll from Plaza del Arenal in the town centre. Next to the Ala is the lovely Baroque Palace of Villavicencia where you can climb to the so called camera obscura (dark room) for a spectacular panoramic view over the town. The exquisite Palacio Atalaya houses the interesting museum of clocks Museo de Relojes on Calle Cervantes 3. In this museum, at 12:00 o'clock, you can here the sound of 302 clocks, dating back to the period of 17-19th centuries and originating from all over Europe. The surrounding gardens will bring you additional delight and, for sure, more tranquillity. Jerez de la Frontera boasts many beautiful Baroque houses and ancient churches. Among them is the remarkable Cathedral San Salvador. Its architecture is an imposing mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features.
Flamenco is taught in the Centro Andaluz de Flamenco on Plaza San Juan, in the atmospheric gipsy neighbourhood Barrio de Santiago. Besides a dancing school it is also a museum where you can see movies about past flamenco greats and an excellent video presentation about this art in Spanish. Useful information about future flamenco events in the town is provided too. If you are in Jerez during September, then you can go to one of the largest flamenco festivals - La Fiesta de la Bulería, with some of the best dancers taking part in it
The bulls and horses are an important feature in the town landscape of Jerez. Don't miss the Museo Taurino (museum of bulls) and the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. The latter was established in 1973 to train riders of cartujano - an Andalusian horse breed, created in the 18th century by the Carthusian catholic monastic order. Visitors can watch the morning trainings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as to see the horse-stables and the saddlery. On Fridays can be watched the amazing show of dancing horses and riders in original 17th-century costumes. The Feria del Caballo or the Horse Fair is celebrated in Jerez de la Frontera during May each year with horse spectacles, dances and carriage parades.
Every visitor to Jerez de la Frontera is interested in the producing process of the famous jerez or sherry drink. Andalucia is very proud and huge casks are laid down in front of many bars here and in Seville. You can learn a lot about its producing and aging by visiting a typical bodega in Jerez. One of the most popular bodegas in the town is the Bodega Gonzales Bias, housed in a impressive building designed by the architect of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The bodega keeps valuable casks, signed by various celebrities, including Orson Welles, Winston Churchill, Franco and many members of the Spanish royal family. Each visit is accompanied by very enjoyable sampling of the quality drink.
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