ARCHITECTURAL EASTERN VILLAGES

Carmona

Located on a low hill overlooking a fertile plain, Carmona is a picturesque, small town with a magnificent 15th century tower built in imitation of Seville's Giralda. At the entrance to the town is the Puerta de Sevilla a grand fortified gateway, which leads to the historic old part of the city. Within the wall, narrow streets meander past Mudejar churches and Renaissance mansions. The Roman necropolis is particular noteworthy. It lies on a low hill at the opposite end of Carmona amid cypress trees and contains more than nine hundred family tombs dating from the second century BC to the fourth century AD. Enclosed in subterranean chambers hewn from the rock, the tombs are often frescoed and contain a series of niches in which many of the funeral urns remain intact. Some of the larger tombs have vestibules with stone benches for funeral banquets and several retain carved family emblems. Opposite is a partly excavated amphitheatre.
Seville - 25 miles, Constantina - 36 miles, Ecija - 33 miles

Écija

It is renowned for its ornately tiled Baroque church towers, as well as the unenviable status of being the hottest place in Andalucia. Avoid visiting Ecija in the middle of summer. It once registered an alarming 125 degrees Fahrenheit on the thermometer and is known as La Sartén de Andalucia (the Frying Pan of Andalucia). Ecija is home to several magnificent baroque churches, the towers of each glisten with brilliantly colored tiles that can be spied from far in the distance. There are also some splendid houses here which date back to the 18th century when the local nobility bought homes in the town. Many of the mansions are particularly distinctive for their flamboyant architecture displaying interesting shapes and patterns.
Carmona - 33 miles, Constantina - 51 miles, Seville - 54 miles

EAST TOWARDS GRANADA

Osuna

Osuna is similar to Ecija in that it is home to some fine mansions dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. In earlier times, the town first came to prominence as the Roman Urso, and several bronze tablets from this period are on display in Madrid's Archeological Museum. Be sure to visit the magnificent Palacio de Los Cepeda with its rows of Churrigueresque columns and elegant patio and staircase. Just north is the Palacio de Puente Hermosa, which has fabulous twisted pillars encrusted with grapes and vine leaves. Several of the town's most impressive buildings can be found on the hilltop overlooking the town, including the university which was founded in 1548 and the lavish 16th century Colegiata, which contains a wealth of fine art collected by the Duques de Osuna. Opposite here is the Convento de la Encarnación which is a museum of mainly religious art and artifacts and beautiful old tiles.
Carmona - 42 miles

Estepa

Estepa, spilling over a hill crowned with a castle and convent, is a freshly washed, happy town. It's situated halfway between Córdoba and Málaga, but its light years away from either. Atop Estepa's hill is the convent of Santa Clara. Enjoy the territorial view from the summit, then step into the quiet, spiritual perfection of the church.
Carmona - 56 miles

Morón de la Frontera

The delightful village of Morón de la Frontera is today famous for its flamenco festival, the Gazpacho Andaluz. This was once an important center of a Moorish taifa (state) and named after the place of the Moors. It is dominated by its ruined Medieval castle, with several impressive churches dotted around its narrow pretty streets. On the border of Cadiz and Seville provinces, Morón de la Frontera was in an important defensive position and its castle was one of the most important in the area. Later it became home to the nobility, when the duchy of Osuna made it a residence and adorned it with marble fittings and artesanado coffered ceilings. The castle was almost destroyed by the French in 1812. Visit the nearby Paseo del Gallo, a small square with great views over the town.
Carmona - 29 miles