Espera

The archaeological site at Esperilla attests to the early presence of settlers, with remains which date back over 3,000 years. Just 7 kilometres from the village is the ancient Roman town of Carissa Aurelia (Site of Cultural Interest), which was erected on the remains of an even earlier Iberian settlement. The most important features are the necropolis and the walled town, and there is also an Archaeological Museum devoted mainly to the Burial World of Ibero-Roman Espera.

Amongst its legacy of monuments, particularly worthy of mention is the Fatetar Castle (13th-15th century), which retains part of its original walls, the keep and the wells. Built against the castle walls is the Santiago Hermitage, which houses the Cristo de la Antigua, the image of the town’s patron saint. The Santa María de Gracia Church is also interesting, as a symbiosis of Renaissance and Baroque styles, as is the Casa de la Cilla or Casa de los Diezmos, nowadays used as an oil mill.

A Mountain Village

A typical Cadiz white town situated on the slopes of a hill crowned by the ruins of a castle which overlooks the whole village, with its white-washed streets and steep hills.