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As unlikely as it seems, Sanlucar and its seaside appear perfectly adapted for such a sport event, attracting a large number of visitors and top professional riders. For three days twice a month, race goers and curious tourists come from all over the world to Costa del Sol to discover the exciting event.
How did everything begin? If you ask, someone might tell you it comes from the time when the fishmongers raced to arrive first at the auction. True or false, what is certain is that now, even more than a sport meeting, it has become a cherished tradition.
In Andalusia, Easter rhymes with Feria. Being the first one of the season, the Feria of Mairena del Alcor, a small village near Seville, is also called 'la Madre de las Ferias' (= the Ferias' Mother). Starting right afterwards, the famous Feria of Seville attracts more than a million people each year. Why so much interest? Probably because it is the only place where you can dance flamenco, eat tapas, drink red wine and meet people in small tents settled in the streets and called 'Casetas'. It may be disorientating, but surely pleasant to discover this piece of the Mediterranean culture.
Don’t be in a hurry to see it all, remember, Spanish people like living quietly and slowly. So don't leave Sanlúcar de Barrameda without seeing some of the numerous places of interest such as the Donana Park, the Nuestra Senora Church, or the Medina Sidonia Dukes Palace.
After this long visit, a moment of peace and relaxation would be well deserved. Drink a glass of 'Manzanilla' (dry white wine), a specialty of Sanlucar. And if you’ve got the time, you can even taste it in the wine cellar itself, at Barbadillo.
If you haven't decide what to do from the 9th - 11th of August or from the 23rd - 25th of August this year, now you know!
Posted July 24th, 2007 by Geoff Burnz
