The Broom Route
NEXT TO THE RIVER GUADAÍRA BANK
The route will start at the [King] Carlos III Bridge and it will follow on mostly by the river Guadaíra bank.
From the bridge and through the river left bank we will head toward the Retama (Broom) Park.
If we keep on walking we will reach the Dragon Bridge.
To head for our next stop we will follow the indications towards El Torrondo farm and the Realaje Mill, which we will see at the right bank of the river.
Once we passed this mill we will meet, also at the same bank, the Pelay Correa Mill.
After this stop we will get away from the river bank and will get to the hacienda Los Ángeles that will be our last stop.
After admiring this former monastery we will follow the road that will take us again to the Dragon's Bridge where our route will end.
| What do I need to know? |
| Parking |
Parking of the Rotonda del Pan, San Francisco Street |
| Bus Stop |
Line B urban buses. Duquesa de Talavera Street |
| Nearest Café |
La Centenaria: C/ Ntra. Sra. del Águila (C/La Mina) |
| Description of the route on foot |
Carlos III Bridge, on the Retama Road |
Point N 1: King Carlos III Bridge
King Carlos III Bridge is a Roman bridge of stone that has undergone several transformations throughout History. It is in the urban area of Alcalá where Dos Hermanas and Utrera's roads converge.
more information
The Roman Bridge that crosses the river Guadaíra has 7 arches on supports. Three of the arches are hidden. It is a bridge made of stone, from Roman origin, although with several later reconstructions due to road traffic. Some historians think its origin is really Roman although other ones are not sure of it because there are no written evidences of papers or signs of Roman roads.
The first written testimonies appear around mid-14th century and they correspond with sources that collected agreements from the town council on distributions at the locality.
The Roman Bridge will receive its name of Carlos III since it was transformed in the 18th century, in this Spanish King time.
In the Holy Week it is beautiful to watch the procession of the Jesús Nazareno Fraternity on the bridge, because "Romans" stand in their way to the Calvary Hill so He cannot go up with His Cross on His Back. This often takes place by 7 in the morning and is one of the key points in Alcalá's madrugá. In one of the pillars of the bridge we can see Jesús Nazareno's picture in ceramics.
Point N 2: The Retama (Broom) Park
The Retama Park is in the left bank of the river Guadaíra and it spreads out towards the Dragon Bridge. It has an extensive wood of eucalyptuses, olive groves and orchards. It has been recently restored and has become a leisure place where you can spend the day or take a walk admiring the river surroundings. At the park there are typical Mediterranean species as well as other ones like the eucalyptuses, which have been recently introduction. It is definitively a place you cannot leave unvisited at this route; also, from it you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Castle of Alcalá.
Point N 3: The Dragon Bridge
The Dragon Bridge, as it is popularly known, has a design inspired in the work of Barcelona's architect Antonio Gaudi. The bridge design was chosen by popular voting of Alcalá's people becoming this way the first figurative bridge of Europe.
more information
José Luis Manzanares is the architect who created this bridge, also the bridge of Seville known as El Cachorro Bridge. It is 123 metres long, divided into four openings.
The bridge itself is made up by two roads with two lanes. The structure emulates a dragon that gets out of the Castle hill crossing the River Guadaíra. This way, the dragon is "the Guardian of the Castle", and also the one in charge to receive its visitors.
The figure has been coated with mosaic of glazed tile according the trencadís (or Pique assiette) technique.
Point N 4: Realaje Mill
The Realaje Mill is in the right bank of the river Guadaíra. There are historic references of its existence already in the 15th century although it is older. Its name comes from its former denomination in Arab "river Alhaje" or "Royal Alhaje" that comes from "rehat" or "rahâ", which means mill.
more information
This is a river mill, that's to say the River water power is the one that makes the mill machinery move.
Regarding its structure, it has a dome on four projected vaults made of brick and next to this there is one building covered by a barrel vault. This vault is supposed to be built at the beginning of the 17th century since there is an inscription inside that says so. It has also a tower, unusual in rural miller architecture, because in each corner of the terrace roof it has stone banks.
The functional core of the mill seems to belong to the Late Middle Ages and has a certainly Mudejar appearance.
As we have said before, the name of this mill is Arabic (Moorish) although it is not clear yet which was its original name since several there are several theories.
A pretty interesting reference has been found, that says that the present name comes from "rah" or "rihá" (in classical Arabic). Rihà was the synonym of farinarius that means in Latin "mill moved by the strength of water".
In other old documents it is found as a name of a place, appearing, in this case in Seville, a Riha al-wadi that would mean river mill.
Next to this mill we can see the Adufe's building, a former pumping station built on a mill.
Point N 5: Pelay Correa Mill
This mill is on the right bank of the river Guadaíra being probably the oldest one preserved. It is, like the Realaje's, from Moorish origin, although its name does not come from the Arabic.
more information
It is a river mill, i.e., it is the water of the river power driven through a dam or weir the one that moves the mill device.
It took its name from the Great Master of the Order of St. James of Compostela (Santiago) who was awarded By King Fernando III with it after Alcalá's Conquest in 1246. Nowadays, the remains of Pelay Pérez Correa probably rest in the monastery of Tentudía, in Badajoz.
We can appreciate that its architecture is similar to the river mills we have talked about before, although in this case it is not in very good conditions.
Point N 6: Hacienda Los Ángeles
The Hacienda has a rural typical architecture of the zone and includes characteristic elements of the Urban Baroque style. It is surrounded by an extensive olive grove.
more information
The origin of the Hacienda dates back from the 13th century, it was in this place known as Los Ángeles Orchard where King Fernando III established one from his campsites to carry out the conquest of Seville.
In 1548 the Hacienda was purchased by the religious Order of Saint Francis and was used as monastery for a long time, not only by the Franciscan Order, but also by the Jesuits who kept this building possession until mid-18th century, taking at that moment its present name. After the Ecclesiastical Confiscations of Mendizabal in 1835, the House of Alba got the hacienda.
This hacienda has always, and until recently, dedicated to the production of olive oil. Today an extensive olive grove next to it can still be seen.
It keeps its original kind. It has an arcaded main patio or yard. The front doorway is lintel-like with pilasters and a pediment. It has also a belfry and a central picture of glazed tiles. It has a private garden inside.
Nowadays it is used like a place for celebration of events, dinners, weddings, flamenco shows, etc.
contents syndication ·
accessibility ·
web map ·
contact
