subject: Huelva Attractions [print this page] Huelva Attractions Huelva Attractions
Overview
The city of Huelvais situated in the southwest part of Spain; it is the capital of Huelva province which is an autonomous region in Andalusia. The rivers Tinto and Odiel merge at this city which is located in the Cadiz coast gulf. The population in this city is about 146,000. It has been in existence since 3000 BC. The oldest football club in Spain, Recreativo de Huelva, originated here.
The mineral resources of this city attracted Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians and Moors and this city has the archaeological touch of all these people. You can see the evidence of this in the museum in this city. This became a boom town when the British started exploiting the copper deposits in this place.
This city is situated in the estuary of Tinto and Odiel and it became the most important port during the time of the Phoenicians. Its popularity was at its peak in the 15th century when Christopher Columbus discovered America with the use of local sailors.
In the 19th century this town became highly industrialized due to the mining activity started by foreign mining firms.
History
The city could have been the Tartessos city originally. Phoenicians named this city Onobo whereas the Greeks called it ???a. Romans conquered this city from Turdetani. Silver coins having Iberian legends were issued just prior to the conquest by Romans. During the Roman period this was called Onoba. You can still see some of the Roman remains in this city. Coins minted in the mint in this city are still being found and they bear the name Onuba. Arabs ruled this city during the period 712 to 1250 and named itWalbah. At the time of Lisbon earthquake in 1755, this city incurred maximum damage. Copper and pyrite are the main items that are mined and exported from this city.
Climate
The average temperatures in a year are as follows:
Maximum 31.8 C in the months of July-August
Minimum 11.4 C in January
Art and Culture
The following are the popular monuments in this city:
Colonial-style church was a part of the La Merced convent and was originally built in the 17th century. It was destroyed by earthquakes in 18th and 20th centuries and was rebuilt. This became a Cathedral in 1953 and was declared as a national monument in 1970.
Provincial Museum contains archaeological and fine arts exhibits and it exhibits items from the Neolithic period to Roman times.
The most important sites that the tourist should visit are the Columbus sites at Huelva, Moquer, Frontera, La Rabida, etc.
Sports and Entertainment
There are a number of parks in this city MORET, EL CONQUERO, LONSO SNCHEZ and JARDINES DE MUELLE.
This city offers very little nightlife for the tourists.
