Enjoy Huelva

The procession of the three Kings.

The origins of this tradition can be traced back to the artistic association "Álvarez Quintero" and Christmas of 1921-1922. Upon finishing one of their performances the actors handed out gifts of coins and small toys.

Celebrations of the city's patron saint, Saint Sebastian.

The fiestas in honour of the patron saint of Huelva have a long history. In the deposits of the municipality of Huelva's historical archive one can find a papal decree from Pope Leon (1516), which speaks of the need to equip various chapels, amongst which is mentioned that of San Sebastian.
One should make a point of pausing to look at the decorative features of the façade, being as they are very typical. In homage to the vegetable gardens of Huelva, the produce from these gardens was exhibited as a kind of valued trophy.

The Columbus Carnival.

The first evidence of this event dates from 1863 when, to mark the inauguration of the Commerce and Agriculture Circle, a fancy dress ball was held in said building. In the year 1936 the last Huelvan carnival of this first period took place. It wasn't until 1983 when the carnival of Huelva was reborn thanks to popular demand and initiative, various fans of the carnival went to the Huelva Council and requested that they lent them the floats that were used on the 5th January each year during the procession of the three kings.

Holy Week (Easter)

A cultural-tourism event which is the biggest manifestation of popular religious sentiment in the city of Huelva. The Tourism department of Huelva's council managed to have the Huelva Holy Week celebrations declared a Nationally important tourism event by the Andalusian government.
The oldest penitent sister and brotherhoods of the city can trace their roots back to the 15th century, as is the case with the sisterhoods of the holy burial (Santo Entierro), Nazareno y Veracruz, then there is the founding of the Jewish brotherhood in the 18th century and the creation of the sisterhood of Hope (Hermandad de La Esperanza), at the end of the 19th century. It is however very much a tradition very much alive, given that a number of these associations have been founded in the 21st century.

To download an annual guide to the Holy Week celebrations visit:

• http://www.huelva.es

The procession of the Sisterhoods of Huelva towards El Rocío

The Royal, Venerable and Fervent Sisterhood of our Lady of Rocío, protector of Emigrants begins its pilgrimage on Wednesday. Significant stops along its route include the Civil Guard Command, where they make a floral offering; the Council, where the municipal corporation pay their respects to them and the Admiralty, where they arrive at around 1,30h in the afternoon and where they sing a seafaring hymn.
The procession of the Royal and Illustrious Sisterhood of Our Lady Rocío of Huelva begins on Thursday at 8am, with the celebration of Mass. The Sisterhood is received at the gates of the Council of Huelva, by the municipal corporation. It then proceeds to the Admiralty. There they pray and sing a traditional seafaring hymn. The grouping, in its decorated wagon, then heads towards the Riotinto dock, at which point they turn back towards the city to bid it farewell.

Columbus Fiestas

The origin of the fiestas stems from the act of commemoration which the Royal Huelvan Columbus Society organised at the end of the 19th century, marking the sailing of Columbus's ships from the port of Palos. Since then every 3rd August a variety of religious and institutional events take place with the aim of glorifying the achievements of Columbus.

Fiestas of the Patron saint, Virgen de la Cinta.

As documented in the manuscript known as "La Rásbid" the cult dedicated to Our Lady of "La Cinta" began in the 5th century, continuing till the 8th century, at which point the image of the Virgin was hidden due to fear of it suffering desecration at the hands of Saracen invaders, it was finally revealed again in the 15th century.
The celebrations begin at the end of August with the transfer of the image from the Cathedral for the celebration in honour of the Virgin.
In the Cathedral various religious cults celebrate rituals honouring the Virgin, until one week before the procession begins in the afternoon of the 8th September, at which point the festivities in the working class neighbourhood of La Orden, begin. The crowning moment of the fiestas is the traditional carrying of the image of the patron saint through the city's central streets. When this finishes, the populace transfers the image to the Conqueror's Sanctuary, a spectacular site as it is carried up the slope of "La Cinta", next to a shrine.

Since it began, in 1975, the Iber-American Film Festival of Huelva has occupied a privileged position amongst the group of international film festivals, offering as it does the possibility for Iberian-American productions to break into the European market.

The real strong point of the Huelvan Festival of Iber-American Film is the number of friends that it has made over the years, the sheer quantity and quality of the people who love this contest.

• http://www.festicinehuelva.es

Huelva has a wide variety of bars, pubs and nightclubs which make fun and complete any night time celebration.
Central areas, pedestrian streets such as Gran Vía, or the now traditional Avenida de Pablo Rada, and spaces such as Alameda Sundheim and the Plaza de la Merced or the Isla Chica have become great mixing places for people, accompanying them during a pleasant evening.
We should not forget to add to these new spaces such as the area near the new stadium "Estadio Colombino" and the neighbourhood of "La Orden".

Huelva's gastronomic tradition is based just as much on products from the plains as on products from the sea, in the meats and Iberian ham and the shellfish and fish from the Huelvan coast.
Amongst the notable species of shellfish are those such as the king prawns, crabs' legs and mouths, white prawns, shrimps, lobster, crawfish, and various types of clam. The fish caught in the gulf of Cádiz, especially the tuna, red porgy, croakers, sole, red mullet, dab, swordfish (known locally as the spade needle), mojama and particularly fried or roasted cuttlefish. Also prevalent at the Huelvan table are various types of meat, in particular all parts of the Iberian pig, such as the ham and smoked leg.
The gastronomy is complemented by other products such as palm heart, strawberries (long stem and normal) and above all wines from the "Guarantee of Origin – County of Huelva" with fruity, young, generous wines, some reds and sparkling wines from Almonte, brandy and vinegar.

• Tapas route of Huelva (Ruta de la Tapa de Huelva)

Cine Box Aqualon
C. C. AQUALÓN, Glorieta Norte, sn 21001 - Huelva

• Tlf.:902221622
• http://www.cinebox.es/CarteleraDetalle.aspx?Id=44

The main shopping and leisure areas of Huelva are located in the following zones;

• Central Area
• Aqualón Zone
• Shopping Centre "Marismas del Polvorín"
• Shopping Centre "Odiel"

• Shopping information sheet

Huelva has always stood out for the wide variety of styles which, all emanating from the same source theme, have developed differences in their melodies and tones, whilst at the same time each conserving their special stamp. Huelva is synonymous with Fandango.

Flamenco Cultural Organisations (Peñas):

• Peña El Higueral 959-270440
• Peña Flamenca Femenina 959-232389
• Peña Flamenca de Huelva 959-270505
• Peña la Orden 959-151619

Gran Teatro de Huelva

Calle Vázquez López, 13
21001 Huelva

• Tlf.:959-245703
• http://www.huelvacultura.com

The Merced bullring was inaugurated in 1968 by Miguel Báez Espuny "Litri", Manuel Benítez "El Cordobés" and Ángel Teruel. It has a capacity of 15,000 people, with seating divided into 3 levels. The ring was constructed on top of Huelva's previous bullring which was inaugurated in 1902.

Bullfighting associations:

• Tertulia taurina Miguel Báez Litri.
  Located in the neighbourhood of the slaughterhouse (C/ Escultora Mrs. Withney)
• Peña Tendido 12
  Located in the small bar of the Merced bullring. Access is gained by passing through the actual bullring.

The large British presence towards the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th lead to the importation and practising in Huelva of various sports new to Spain. Sports such as football, tennis and even cricket were played both by the immigrant mine and port-worker populations and the native inhabitants of Huelva. It was this that lead in 1889 to the founding of a club known as Huelva Recreation Club for the practising of various sports, but especially football. At a local level it is the public company "Empresa Municipal Huelva Deporte" charged with maintaining the city's various sporting installations.

Sporting Events Calender:

• Columbus Football Trophy (Trofeo Colombino de Fútbol)
• Iber-American Athletics Meet
• S.M. The King Tennis Cup
• Huelva Regata in Palos de la Frontera – La Gomera
• Columbus Cycle Race
• International Columbus Sailing Week
• Columbus Archery Trophy

Municipal Sport Centres:

CIUDAD DEPORTIVA

Av Manuel Siurot, 40

• Tlf.:959-253211

POLIDEPORTIVO MUNICIPAL ANDRES ESTRADA

Av Pio XII

• Tlf.:959-232897

POLIDEPORTIVO LAS AMERICAS

Galaroza, 12

• Tlf.:959-220050

CAMPUS DEL CARMEN

Av Fuerzas Armadas s/n

• Tlf.:959-271000

PARQUE DEPORTIVO EL SALADILLO

Av Pablo Ruiz Picasso

• Tlf.:959-224192

Conference Centre "Casa Colón"

Huelva's conference centre "Palacio de Congresos – Casa Colón" has various air-conditioned halls capable of hosting various events. Open rooms necessary for large exhibitions, laboratory hosting, receptions etc. There is the option to install a PA system. Climate control. The semi-basement of the building has toilets, cloakroom and parking. The basement houses support services such as a storeroom, toilets and changing rooms, press room, audition rooms along with more parking. The mezzanine floor has a control room, projection room, recording facilities, simultaneous translation facilities and press cabin.