Constantina

About Constantina

Constantina lies at 556 metres in the Valle de la Osa, in the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park, The Romans knew it as Constantia Iulia, but the town took shape under Islamic rule, when La Morería grew on the castle hill. Fernando III received it in 1247, and it later guarded Seville's northern frontier. Its centre is a Conjunto Histórico; about 5,700 people live here.

The steep lanes of La Morería, called Las Cuestas, climb to the castle, whose walls and eight towers enclose a parade ground and a cistern; its keep fell in 2010 and was rebuilt in 2013–2014. Below, the 14th-century Mudéjar church of Santa María de la Encarnación has a tower-façade by Hernán Ruiz II, and señorial houses line Plaza de España and Calle Mesones.

Constantina is about 85 km (1 hour 15 minutes) north-east of Seville via Carmona and Lora del Río; Monbus coaches run from Plaza de Armas. Park by the Alameda and walk in. The Morería lanes and castle path are steep, with steps, and unsuitable for wheelchairs. Allow half a day. It suits walkers, families and food lovers.

Autumn is best, for chestnuts, mushrooms and the Feria del Mosto y Productos Ibéricos in November; spring suits walking. The patron, the Virgen del Robledo, comes into town in August for the feria and returns to her hermitage after a September romería. Try mosto, crema de guindas and anís, ancas de rana and Iberian chacinas. Tip: visit the El Robledo botanical garden, 1 km out.

Constantina in pictures

What you’ll find

• Bus connectionPublic transportBuy
• CastleCastle visitFree
• ChurchChurch visitFree
• FestivalAnnual festivalFree
• Hiking trailHikingFree
• Historic centreOld town walkFree
• Local foodLocal cuisineBuy
• Moorish quarterMoorish heritage walkFree
• Tourist officeVisitor information (11:00–15:00)Free
• ViewpointSightseeingFree

Nearby places to visit

North of the town, Cerro del Hierro (9 km) is a natural monument of limestone needles and tunnels left by iron mining, with an easy circular trail, and the Playa San Nicolás del Puerto (14 km) is a river pool on the Galindón open in summer. West across the park, Cazalla de la Sierra (14 km) is a white town of anís distilleries with a Carthusian monastery outside. Heading south to the Guadalquivir, the Alcázar de la Puerta de Sevilla, Carmona (45 km) and the Roman Necropolis of Carmona (45 km) lie on the way to Seville.