Écija lies in the heart of the Sevillian countryside, guarded by gentle hills and elegantly perched on the banks of the Genil river. It is one of the most impressive urban centres in the south of Andalusia, where art and history merge to present us with the unique and unrepeatable vision of its temples, palaces, convents and towers that give this spectacular Historic-Artistic Site an unmistakable physiognomy.
The passage of time has made Écija the best example of the balance between the ancient and the present.
The Benamejí Palace is one of the fundamental works of Baroque civil architecture in Andalusia. Built in the first third of the 18th century by the Marquises of Benamejí, after becoming the property of the Counts of Valverde, in 1906 it was acquired by the Écija Town Council, which ceded it to the Remonta Militar, which occupied it for almost the whole of the 20th century. Since 1997 it has been the headquarters of the Municipal Historical Museum.
It contains very interesting archaeological pieces such as the Tartessian gold jewel, the beautiful mosaics of Astigi or the imposing Wounded Amazon, one of only four preserved in the world.
Winter opening hours (September to June)
Closed on Mondays
Tuesday to Friday from 10.00h to 13.30h and from 16.30h to 18.30h
Saturdays from 10.00h to 14.00h and from 17.30h to 20.00h
Sundays from 10.00h to 15.00h
Summer opening hours (July and August)
Closed on Mondays
Tuesday to Friday from 10.00h to 14.30h
Saturday from 10.00h to 14.30h and from 20.00h to 22.00h
Sunday from 10.00h to 15.00h
It is one of the most amazing civil Baroque palaces in Andalusia. It features a stunning front, which expresses the Baroque style in its own right, and is decorated with frescoes depicting trompe l’oeil paintings and landscapes framed in mock architecture that follows the curvature of the street.
It was built between 1700 and 1775. The palace was the residence of the Peñaflor family until 1958, when the widowed marquise died without descendants.
Opening Hours:
Winter opening hours (September to June)
– Monday to Friday from 11.00h to 13.30h
– Saturday from 11.00h to 14.00h and from 18.30h to 20.00h
– Sundays from 11.00h to 14.00h
Summer opening hours (July and August)
– Monday to Friday from 11.00h to 14.00h
– Saturday from 11.00h to 14.00h and from 20.00h to 22.00h
– Sundays from 11.00h to 14.00h
The archaeological site located in the former Plaza de Armas of the Alcázar Real has been a privileged witness to the historical development of the city. The Turdetan, Roman, Andalusian and Medieval past converge in this place, where Écija was born.
The various archaeological campaigns have revealed evidence of occupation since the 9th century BC. Through these interventions, carried out since 1999, significant remains have been brought to light, including some mosaics from the Roman period, such as that of the Amores de Zeus. From the ruins of the Almohad fortification, a magnificent panoramic view of the city, declared a historic-artistic site in 1966, can be seen.
Opening hours: Reservations required
It is a monumental pond, which was located at the back of the temple, built at the end of the 1st century BC. This space has brought aboutthe most spectacular discoveries in the Plaza de España. Among the pieces recovered from the pond, it is worth highlighting a strikingly large batch of ideal sculpture which is now in the Municipal Historical Museum.
This building is another of Écija’s unique public buildings. It was built as part of an ambitious construction plan for the town’s water supply in the last third of the 16th century. The architect Hernán Ruíz was responsible for drawing up the project.
Of the remains that have been preserved of the building, it is worth mentioning the front, of Mannerist design and with a voussoir arch topped by a frieze with the royal coat of arms flanked by the coat of arms of Écija and a cartouche.
Opening hours: Reservations required
To discover Écija, you should start by visiting the Benamejí Palace-Museum.
The history of the city will surprise you, especially its Roman past. Continue from there to the Plaza de Santa María to get a close-up view of one of its famous eleven towers and cross over to the large Plaza de España, the heart of the city. Taste some of its gastronomic delicacies in the Plaza de Abastos and get lost in its streets. You will certainly come across a beautiful and popular square such as San Juan, Santa Cruz or San Gil.
Finally, you should visit the Peñaflor Palace, from its lookout tower you will enjoy the best views of the city of towers.
The festivity par excellence of this city is Holy Week, declared of “National Tourist Interest”. Every year, citizens of Écija and visitors from all over the world arrive with fervour, anxious to see the processions of their traditional images, such as the Cristo de la Salud, the Cristo de la Sangre or the Confalón.
Ecijan gastronomy offers an incredible variety of dishes, based on the excellence of its olive oil and products of the Mediterranean diet. Highlights include “espinacas labradas”, “sopa de gato”, “yemas el Ecijano” and what is undoubtedly the star product of its confectionery: Moroccan sponge cakes, made by the nuns of the convent of Santa Florentina.
Declared a Historic Site in 1966, Écija holds an incalculably valuable historical and artistic heritage, including Baroque palaces and churches, with their towers, belfries and belvederes, as well as Renaissance and Mudejar works. Its glorious Roman past has left important testimonies such as the collection of mosaics or the sculpture of the Wounded Amazon, exhibited in the Municipal Historical Museum.
