Vejer de la Frontera

Historia

Vejer de la Frontera is a Spanish hilltop town and municipality in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia, on the right bank of the river Barbate. The town of Vejer de la Frontera occupies a low hill overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar and surrounded by orchards and orange groves. It contains several ancient churches and convents, and the architecture of many of its houses recalls the period of Moorish rule, which lasted from 711 until the town was captured by Saint Ferdinand of Castile in 1248. Agriculture and fruit-farming are the chief industries; fighting bulls are also bred in the neighborhood and a running of the bulls is held annually.FestivitiesCarnaval: Traditional Cadiz-style carnival with chirigotas and comparsas and a wider range of constumes. It is held one week after the Cadiz city CarnivalHoly Week: A sober and intimate Holy Week held in the alleys of Vejer. There are three brotherhoods: The Brotherhood of the Cristo de la Oliva which performs procession on Holy Wedenesday, the Brotherhood of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, which parades on Holy Thurdays and the Brotherhood of the Soledad which performs its procession on Hoy Friday. The latter two are accompanied by Saetas.Toro Embolao: Two bulls are let loose in the city on Easter Sunday at 13:00 and 17:00 in the context of festivities throughout the town.Noche de las Velas: Vejer's Night of the candles in May or June where all city lights are switched off and candles are lit throughout.