Huelva

About

Settled over 2,500 years ago by the Tartessans, this riverside city of Huelva has been an important port since antiquity. When the Romans conquered the region, they began to exploit the area's natural resources, - a practice that continued for centuries. Huelva’s port helped launch Christopher Columbus’ 1492 voyage to the New World. In the 12th century La Rábida monastery, Friar Juan Pérez and Friar Antonio de Marchena promoted Columbus' voyage, and he stayed there until just before his departure. Today, visitors can roam the idyllic grounds, and learn about Columbus’ fateful voyage on a model of his ship. The city’s historic center has maintained its historic identity, with the 16th century church of San Pedro made in the Gothic-Mudejar style on the remains of an old mosque, while the 18th century Cathedral of La Merced houses the Pantheon of the Counts of Niebla.