Semana Santa (Easter Week) in Estepa, declared a Festivity of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia, is a unique artistic and devotional event in our autonomous community. From Palm Sunday to Easter Saturday, nine religious brotherhoods make processions through the town, leaving unparalleled images in its narrow, monumental streets. Don’t miss the singularity of the religious brotherhoods of San Pedro Apóstol, El Dulce Nombre de Jesús or the ascent of el Calvario to the Cerro de San Cristóbal. Other special festivities include the Romería dedicated to San José Obrero, the Octava de los Remedios in May, the Vela de Santa Ana in July and the Estepa Fair in September.
The scent
of time
Estepa, known worldwide for the production of its “mantecados” and “polvorones”, was declared a National Historic-Artistic Site in 1965, due to its rich heritage set in the spectacular San Cristóbal Hill and its historic quarter.
The millenary Estepa is a town with a magical and unique location that offers visitors and travellers the opportunity to enjoy every one of their senses.
San Cristobal Hill
Estepa can be seen from many kilometres away and is remarkable for its spectacular architectural scenery, spreading lazily across the slopes of the San Cristóbal Hill.
Monuments
Archaeological Museum Padre Martín Recio
The museum has a purely archaeological vocation with pieces from prehistoric, Tartessian, protohistoric, Roman, Paleo-Christian, Visigothic and Islamic periods. It has a room dedicated to Antonio Aguilar y Cano, an important author of 19th and early 20th century historiography of Estepa.
Opening Hours:
-Tuesday to Sunday: from 9.30h to 13.30h and from 15.30h to 18.00h
-Tuesday to Sunday: guided tour at 12.00h and 16.30h
Tickets: 2,20€
Guided tour: 4,40€ (includes Victoria Tower and Cave House)
Marqués de Cerverales Palace
This palace was built to be the manor house of the Marquises of Cerverales and was completed in 1756. It is one of the few monuments of civil baroque architecture in Andalusia that fully preserves its original features. This magnificent building was declared a national historic-artistic monument (currently an Asset of Cultural Interest) in 1984.
Opening Hours:
Reservations required
Tickets: 6€
Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church
It used to be the Cristo de la Sangre Hermitage. It has one of the most emblematic Andalusian Baroque fronts, designed by Andrés de Zabala. Its interesting chapel houses the devout Virgen del Carmen.
Opening Hours:
-Tuesdays to Thursdays: from 11.00h to 14.00h and from 17.00h to 19.00h
-Saturdays and Sundays: from 11.00h to 14.00h and from 16.00h to 18.00h
Donation: 2€
San Sebastián Church
In the 16th century, the San Sebastián Hermitage, which had only one nave, was already in existence. Due to its poor condition, in 1568 it was decided to rebuild it along the lines of the Genoese architect Vicente Boyol. Its construction lasted until the 18th century.
Opening Hours:
-Monday to Saturday, except bank holidays: from 11.00h to 13.00h
-Sundays: from 11.30h to 13.30h
Donation: 2€
Santa Ana Hermitage
It has a single nave and a barrel vault with lunettes. The main altarpiece is presided over by Santa Ana with the Virgen Niña. The Virgen de las Angustias con Cristo en su regazo sculpture is attributed to the Antequeran sculptor Diego Márquez.
Opening Hours:
-Friday: from 11.00h to 14.00h and from 17.00h to 18.00h
Donation: 2€
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Church
Built on a single nave floor to which the crypt, sacristy and chapel are attached, with Baroque ornamentation being added in the mid -18th century. It is known as the “Sistine Chapel” of Estepa due to its profuse decoration.
Opening Hours:
-Tuesday, Wednesday (only in the morning), Thursday and Friday: from 11.00h to 14.00h and from 17.00h to 19.00h.
-Saturdays and Sundays: from 11.00h to 14.00h and from 16.00h to 18.00h
Donation: 2€
Victoria Tower + Former Cave House + Museum
It belongs to the former Nuestra Señora de la Victoria Church. It was completed in 1766 and is recognised as one of the most important examples of Andalusian Baroque. It has been a national monument since 1955.
Opening Hours:
-Tuesday to Sunday: guided tour at 12.00h and 16.30h
Tickets: 4,40€/person
Exit of the Archaeological Museum Padre Martín Recio, Calle Ancha
Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Church
The temple was extended in the 18th century on the site of the old Vera Cruz Hermitage from the Order of Santiago period. Its chapel is recognised as one of the architectural and decorative jewels of the 18th century.
Opening Hours:
-Tuesday to Saturday, except bank holidays: from 11.00h to 13.00h
-Sundays: from 12.30h to 13.30h
Donation: 2€
Santa María la Mayor Church
During the Islamic period, a mosque was built here in the 10th century. Once the town was reconquered in 1241, a Mudejar church was built in the 14th century, of which several arches and pilasters remain. The current appearance of the late Gothic style church dates from the late 15th and 16th centuries. Noteworthy works of art include the main altarpiece by Andrés de Ocampo, a San Juan Evangelista sculpture attributed to Juan de Mesa, and a baptismal font from the 15th century.
Opening Hours:
-Saturdays and Sundays: from 11.00h to 14.00h and from 16.00h to 19.00h
Donation: 2€
Discover
Estepa
From the Balcón de Andalucía viewpoint, located on the San Cristóbal Hill, the view invites you to explore the old city, to discover its squares and corners, to wander through its cobbled streets and, in short, to experience its rich gastronomy, its heritage and its culture.
To come to Estepa is also to discover its “mantecados” and “polvorones” with Protected Geographical Indication, its extra virgin olive oil with Designation of Origin of Estepa, its celebrations and its traditions.
Gastronomy
The gastronomy of Estepa is based on traditional dishes using local artisan products seasoned with extra virgin olive oil with Designation of Origin of Estepa. This magical fusion results in succulent traditional dishes such as “cocidos”, “potajes”, “salmorejos”, “arroces”, “guisos”, “cazuelas”, garden vegetables or hunting products, and avant-garde recipes with Iberian meats, fresh fish, pasta and vegetables with high-level presentations, a mixture of flavour and unique quality.
With a great pastry-making tradition for the production of its “mantecados” and “polvorones” with Protected Geographical Indication, Estepa also produces a wide range of homemade desserts, both for Lent and for different festivities, such as the traditional “magdalenas” with extra virgin olive oil, “ochios con ajonjolí”, “cocochas de coco”, “pestiños” and “flores de miel”, “torrijas con canela” or “rosquitos de almendra”. We recommend you to enjoy the local gastronomy in our bars, restaurants and bakeries.
We recommend you to enjoy the local gastronomy in our bars, restaurants and bakeries.
Heritage
Estepa, declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1965, has an important cultural heritage that extends from the Cerro de San Cristóbal to the historic centre A thousand years of history, a magical frontier site, the scene of fierce battles between Arabs and the Order of Santiago, of ecclesiastical vicarage and monastic orders, of the Royal Crown and Marquisate of Estepa. The convents and churches, the Alcázar, the mansions and palaces of great artistic and monumental value are proof of this. From the Torre del Homenaje to the Convents of Santa Clara and San Francisco; from the Iglesia Mayor de Santa María to the suburbs with the Torre de la Victoria; from spectacular chapels such as the Asunción or Los Remedios to the Santa Ana Hermitage, you will discover a marvellous city full of charm.