La provincia de Sevilla

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El Palmar de Troya

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El Palmar de Troya, the ‘watchtower’ of the Guadalquivir

To the south-east of Seville, 15 kilometres from Utrera and in the heart of La Cañada Real, is El Palmar de Troya. A town which, until October 2018, was part of the municipal district of Utrera, and one of the newest towns in the province.

Historical data dating back to Roman times situate El Palmar de Troya in La Cañada, where there once was a settlement for Caesar’s retired soldiers. The Roman city known as Siarum or Searo is now underground close to La Cañada. More recently, in the 13th century, the town is believed to have formed part of the ‘Banda Morisca’, a defence system against Muslim attacks. Traces of this period can still be found, such as the watchtower at Torre del Águila Reservoir, which protected the Guadalquivir Valley, possibly even before the Christians and Muslims wars.

Despite so much history, the town as we know it today was originally a settlement for temporary migrants working in the Cortijo de Troya farmstead. The town takes its name from the many palm trees that used to grow around the Cortijo. There was even a children’s home where the migrants’ children went to school. Part of the town’s current population, who are descendants of prisoners of the Civil War, participated in the construction of Torre del Águila Reservoir, which brought irrigation to the region.

The inhabitants of the town are mainly employed in agriculture and the hospitality industry. Several local companies specialise in catering for trade fairs. In fact, the pilgrimage in honour of the patron saint, Our Lady of Carmen, is held in May, and the local fair in July, to avoid overlapping with the local businesses catering commitments with other festivals in nearby towns. 

El Palmar de Troya is a quiet place, where you can enjoy agritourism. Aware of the value of its natural environment, the town has restored its cattle trails and created green corridors connecting different areas, such as Torre del Águila Reservoir, Zarracatín Lagoon and Utrera-El Palmar Greenway, etc.

Come and discover El Palmar de Troya, a place to unwind and enjoy nature. 


Getting to El Palmar de Troya

To get there by car from Seville, take the A-376 until you reach your destination, or via the A-4.
The nearest train station is in Utrera, which connects to the C1 commuter line from Santa Justa Station in Seville. If you prefer to travel by bus, take the bus from Prado de San Sebastián Station to El Torbiscal, and then take a taxi to the town.


Getting around

The best way to discover El Palmar de Troya is on foot. Don’t forget your bike to explore the natural surroundings


Reasons to visit

  • Carnival is the single most significant event in El Palmar de Troya, which always takes place on the weekend before Andalusia Day. The locals take to the streets in handmade, fun costumes.
  • The highlight of Holy Week is Easter Saturday when the Confraternities of the Holy Christ of Good Death and Our Lady of Sorrows take part in the Easter processions. You can admire the anonymous 17th-century sculpture of Our Lady of Sorrows, restored in 2002 by Encarnación Hurtado from Utrera. Since 1981, this sculpture is kept at the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church from where it marches in the Easter procession. The Borriquita Confraternity takes to the streets on Palm Sunday, and the Nazarene Confraternity on Good Friday. 
  • The pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady of Sorrows, the town’s patron saint, is usually held on the last Saturday in May (depending on the date of El Rocío). Enjoy a pilgrimage celebrated with great fervour and more than 30 floats that takes the pilgrims to Torre del Águila Reservoir. 
  • In July, come to the Feria in honour of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. On July 16, the float bearing the Virgin is carried by a team of female float bearers, which is a rare occurrence.
  • And if you happen to be there for the Feria, don’t fail to visit the municipal swimming pool, famous in the area. Take a dip and cool off. It’s ideal for families as it is comfortable, quiet and affordable.
  • The Medieval Market is held on the last weekend in October. The pedestrian street and Plaza de la Concordia will transport you back several centuries with artisans selling their products -jewellery, leather, glass, soap, food- in the streets. There is also street entertainment and other events, which fill the town with colour, music and fun. 
  • Nature and outdoor sports enthusiasts will love the town’s green areas: Zarracatín Lagoon, Torre del Águila Reservoir, Utrera-El Palmar Greenway and Villamartín Cattle Trail.
  • And, of course, don’t forget to sample the typical rural cuisine of the province of Seville, with dishes made from olive oil and locally grown vegetables. 


What to see 

Plaza de la Concordia is the beating heart of the town, only a few metres from Nuestra Señora del Carmen Parish Church (home to the statues carried in procession through the town), the public library and the secondary school. Walk down Calle Gladiolos and Calle Geranio to the Town Hall. A pleasant stroll during which you can glimpse into life in El Palmar de Troya and discover the true wealth of this town, its natural surroundings.

On the outskirts, in Cortijo de Troya, now on private land, stands an Arab tower atop a hill to the east of El Palmar de Troya. This was one of the defensive watchtowers in the ‘Banda Morisca’ observation and defence network. Bollo Tower (also on private land and visually connected to Lopera Tower and Aguzaderas Castle) and Eagle Tower, in the reservoir, were probably also part of this network. 

If you enjoy cycling, be sure to go for a ride along the Utrera-El Palmar Greenway or Villamartín Cattle Trail. You will come across Zarracatín Lagoon, where migratory birds such as flamingos and ducks abound. Part of Utrera Endorheic Complex Nature Reserve, the lagoon is the largest in the Complex and one of the largest salt lakes in Andalusia.

And, of course, if you like sport fishing and the outdoors, a visit to Torre del Águila Reservoir and watchtower is a must. 


Places to visit

  1. Nuestra Señora del Carmen Parish Church
  2. Zarracatín Lagoon
  3. Torre del Águila - Torre del Águila Reservoir


Surroundings

El Palmar de Troya is 46 kilometres from Seville, to the south-west of the city, in the La Campiña region. Its municipal district, comprising an area of 25 hectares, is located between the Salado de Morón and Pájaras rivers, to the left of the A-364 Écija-Jerez de la Frontera road. It is about 15 kilometres from Utrera, in the area where La Campiña meets the marshlands.

Comarca
La Campiña
Extension
33.16 Km²
Altitude
117.00 m
No. of inhabitants
2.395

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