Ceuta Tpurist Guide

TABL

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F C

ON

TEN

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Where we are........ 3

Let’s take a cultural route........ 10

The Nautical Centre of Ceuta........ 34

Our history........ 7

Our museums........ 27

What to eat ........ 36

How to get there........ 4

Who we are........ 6

And much more........ 19

Architecture........ 26

Let’s go shopping ........ 35

Where to stay........ 8

Our beaches........ 31

Mediterranean Maritime Park........ 29

Ceuta, A Cultural Melting Pot........ 37

Other religious buildings........ 38

Where we are

Size: 22 km2

Coastline: 21 kmLand perimeter (border): a borderline of 8 km Population: approx. 82,000.Average temperature: 18º CHumidity: HighLanguage: SpanishCurrency: Euro (€)

Our geographic location

CEUTA

EUROPAEUROPE

L’EUROPE

ÁFRICAAFRICA

AFRIQUE

ESPAÑASPAIN

ESPAGNESPANIENESPANHA

ESTRECHO DE GIBRALTARTHE STRAITS OF GIBRALTAR

DÉTROIT DE GIBRALTARSTRAßE VON GIBRALTARESTREITO DE GIBRALTAR

DESTINATION CEUTA

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DESTINATION CEUTA

How to get there

Modern, fast ferries travel across the Straits of Gibraltar from the port of Algeciras. After having fun on a pleasant mini-cruise, offering you the very best service, in just 45 minutes you will be enjoying the atmosphere of Ceuta.

There are three high-speed ferry companies with 15 to 20 crossings every day. These ferries offer passengers tourist or club class and also transport cars, motorbikes and trailers.

Information and timetables:Acciona Trasmediterranea:www.trasmediterranea.esBalearia: www.balearia.comFRS: www.frs.es

The Port of Algeciras Bay:Tel: (+34) 956 585 463Tourist Office in the Port of Ceuta:Tel: (+34) 956 506 275

BY BOAT

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From Malaga:There are various flights every day from the International Airport of Malaga and from the Civil Heliport of Ceuta (in the city centre), scheduled to connect with the most important flights. Flight time: 35 minutes.

From Algeciras:Flights from the heliports of Algeciras and Ceuta for connection between both cities on an amazing, comfortable flight that only takes 7 minutes.

Information and timetables:Airport of Malaga: (+34) 952 048 700Heliport of Ceuta: (+34) 956 504 974Heliport of Algeciras: (+34) 956 646 422

From Tangiers:68 Km.: One hour trip.From Tetuan:45 km.: 45 minutes trip.

The marina with its modern facilities, located in the heart of the city, offers all the services you could possibly need both for your flight and your comfort.Further information:Mahersa: www.mahersa.es

BY HELICOPTER

BY ROAD FROM MOROCCO

BY PRIVATE VESSEL

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How to get there

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DESTINATION CEUTA

Who we are

Ceuta is one of the European ports to Africa, a place where the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and two continents intertwine to provide the city with its unique character, where Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus live together, forming large communities.

According to Greek mythology, Africa and Europe were connected by a mountain range until Hercules, during his fight with Antaeus, struck his mace and made an opening in the land, nowadays called the “Straits of Gibraltar”.

Two geographic milestones, the Columns of Hercules, are identified as the remains of this event forming the wes-tern border of the known world: Calpe (Gibraltar) and Abyla (Mount Hacho), which mark the western borders of the Mediterranean Sea.

THE PORT TO THE MEDITERRANEAN

MYTHOLOGY

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Our history

The history of Ceuta is a real feast through time for travellers and for their senses.

The first human settlement in Benzu dates back more than 300,000 years.

You must look towards the sea to discover the special cultural, historic and natural features of the city and its surroundings. The voyages of the people from olden days and their trading routes, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans, for trade or for strategic geographical reasons, always within the borders of the Mare Nostrum, shows their need to control the so-called Circle of Straits, as can be seen by Justinian I setting up a dromons base (in the year 534 a.d.).

Christianity and Islam have always traded in our bay, with the presence of Hebrew communities for immemorial time in a Medina that became quite large and important within the Western context of Islam.

The Islam arrived in Ceuta later than on the peninsula. After this, the city remained under Muslim rule for seven centuries, being conquered at dusk on 21 August 1415, when Juan Vaz de Almeda flew the Royal Standard and flag of Lisbon from the Vela Tower in Ceuta, 77 years before the Catholic Kings concluded the Re-conquest of Granada.

From then and for 2 centuries and a quarter, Ceuta would live, speak and feel Portuguese. Until the people of Ceuta asked to belong to the crown of Castille in 1640.

When Philip V came to power, the army was restructured, which transformed the order of the State and changed the traditional structure of local economy.

When the Bourbons came to power, the image of Ceuta as a fortified square and military garrison was reinforced, but it also gained with this as a city. America was now not everything and we looked once again towards Africa.

A BRIEF HISTORIC OVERVIEW

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Where to stay?

HOTEL TRYP CEUTA ****

A hotel located right in the city centre, next to the Municipal Palace, 300 m from the port and the heliport, near the shopping area and close to the beaches. It can accommodate 244 people in its 117 rooms and 3 suites.

Alcalde Sánchez Prados, 3Tel.: (+34) 956 51 12 00

PARADOR HOTEL LA MURALLA ****

A hotel beside the sea with an Andalouse atmosphere. It is located beside the ancient Royal Walls in the Plaza de Nuestra Señora de África, the city centre of Ceuta. From this hotel, there are breathtaking views of the sea, the city’s historic district and even the peninsular coastline.

Plaza Ntra. Sra. de África, 15 Tel.: (+34) 956 51 49 40

ULISES HOTEL ****

A hotel located in the shopping area of the city, with 124 fully equipped rooms. It has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, multi-purpose room and meeting room.

C/ Camoens, 5Tel.: (+34) 956 51 45 40

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Other options

THE MIGUEL DE LUQUE RURAL COMPLEX

This establishment is located at the foot of the Mounts of García Aldavez, on one of the foothills of Ceuta, where you will be in the middle of nature with all the advantages of the city.

Modern, comfortable wooden cabins are built on a large part of our complex, an offer that is extended with two hostels and a third one with individual rooms. All this is set in unbeatable surroundings, where the exotic atmosphere of Africa and Morocco is combined with Western European life.

Carretera del Pantano s/n.Tel.: (+34) 956 50 78 03 (+34) 676 95 29 15 www.migueldeluque.com

OTHER HOTELS, HOSTELS AND PENSIONS

In addition to our hotel and rural accommodation offer, Ceuta also has other alternatives. Hotels of other categories, hostels and pensions, which extend the range of possibilities, adapted to all the budgets of those who visit us.

To find out more details about our accommodation possibilities, just visit our website and go to the category “Accommodation”, in “Organise your Trip”. Welcome to Ceuta.

www.destinationceuta.com9

DESTINATION CEUTA

DESTINATION CEUTA

Let’s take a cultural route

The Monumental Complex of the Royal Walls was the borderline of ancient Ceuta. If you cross the Walls you will find the Royal Moat, navigable since the era of Portuguese rule. The oldest fortresses of the Walls are found to the east of this Moat: The Mallorquines Fortress (where the city’s tourist office is located) and the Fortresses of Bandera and Coraza Alta y su Caballero.

In olden days the Bridge of Christ connecting the Mallorquines Fortress and the Walls could be raised; at a certain time in the afternoon a cannonshot was fired to signal that it would be closed as a defence system, isolating the city from the outskirts.

The most modern constructions are to the west of the Moat: Saint Peter’s Fortress with the Plaza de Santiago, the Valencian Front and Saint Anne’s Fortress, where the ancient horse grooms used to live.

It then opens up to the parade ground and Saint Paul’s Fortress, Saint Ignatius’ Ravelin and Saint Francis Xavier’s Counterguard enclose the complex. There are two audio visual shows about the history of the Walls and the city of Ceuta in the latter building and in Saint Paul’s Fortress, with free admission, along with a museum with travelling exhibitions in Saint Ignatius’ Ravelin.

THE MONUMENTAL COMPLEX OF THE ROYAL WALLS

Point of interest number 1 on our sightseeing map 10

The history of this church dates back to when the image of Our Lady of Africa was sent to Ceuta in 1421 by the Infante Henry the Navigator, ordering that it should be venerated from such time and dedicated to Saint Mary of Africa, and they also built a temple.

The building is in baroque style and its base is rectangular with three naves, the central one being the widest and tallest, beside which the head is placed, composed of the main chapel and two secondary ones. The vestry and other rooms of the temple are connected to this. The current appearance of the façade is due to the restoration work carried out in 2002. We should highlight the baroque altarpiece inside, located in the main chapel and made of carved golden wood. It was paid for by Bishop Martín de Barcia in about 1752 and takes up the whole front area, with a structure consisting of a supporting plinth and body divided into three panels and an attic. The altarpiece is overlooked by the picture of Our Lady of Africa, which corresponds to the model of the Pietá. It is a figure with large slim shape, in common mourning, hiding the Virgin’s hair to give the impression of sadness and old age. It is carved from a single block of wood, except the head of Christ and the Virgin’s left hand. It is hollow in the rear part, as was the custom for images designed to be placed on altars or altarpieces. There is also a crypt in the lower part of the Main Chapel where nobles and clergymen, as well as a daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Medinaceli or more recent remains of the parish and the rector of the sanctuary, Bernabé Perpén, are buried.

THE SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF AFRICA

Point of interest number 4 on our sightseeing map


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DESTINATION CEUTA

Located in Plaza de África, it was built in remembrance of the soldiers fallen in combat during the African War, which took place between 1859 and 1860, and has a crypt in its lower part that houses the remains of the soldiers who fought in this war.

It is thirteen and a half metres high and built of stone from the San Amaro quarry, under the supervision of the military engineer, José de la Madrid. There are some bronze reliefs by Susillos, an artist from Seville, in the base of the monument depicting some events that occurred during this war. This work is a memorial to the heroism of General Prim and the Catalan volunteers who accompanied him.

This monument was unveiled on 4 May 1895 and this day was a holiday because the remains of the soldiers that were going to be buried in the crypt were delivered to army representatives by the City Council, the procession moving through the streets of Ceuta, with honours of General Captain, as far as Plaza de África. The urns contained, among others, lieutenant colonels José Villa y Pérez and Antonio Piniés, heads of the battalions of the Vergara and Madrid Hunters, as well as other heroic soldiers.

MONUMENT OF THE SOLDIERS FALLEN IN COMBAT DURING THE AFRICAN WAR

Point of interest number 3 on our sightseeing map


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THE CATHEDRAL OF SAINT MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION

Point of interest number 5 in our sightseeing map 13

DESTINATION CEUTA


The dioceses of Ceuta was created due to the Portuguese conquest by John I of Portugal on 21 August 1415 and this ancient mosque was converted into a church and Christian worship was introduced here. The cathedral building was in very poor condition in the second half of the 16th century and was declared a ruin in 1665, and then its closure was ordered. The new foundations began to be built in 1686 and in 1694 during the siege of Muley Ismail and the temple already had a roof but was not consecrated, being used as barracks for the infantry until 1726 when it was finally consecrated.

It is a rectangular building with three naves beside which there is a semicircular headpiece with an ambulatory. The outside is in classical style and its front is composed of a central module flanked by twin towers and finished off with a triangular pediment. The influence of the style of the Cathedral of Cadiz can be seen. There is a presbytery in the central nave, surrounded by the choir stalls and we can see Saint Daniel’s chapel, patron saint of the city, in the central stretch of the ambulatory. To the left and right of both naves, there are different images of Saint Peter, Saint Teresa or Saint Francis Xavier, and modern sculptural structures represent the Wedding at Cana or the Last Supper. The tabernacle’s chapel in the right nave deserves a special mention, crowned by a baroque altarpiece made in Seville with images of Saint Luke, Saint Matthew and Saint John and, in the central niche, there is a beautiful sculpture of the Immaculate Conception. Beside the Cathedral is the Cathedral Museum of Sacred Art with many samples of pictorial works, sculptures and sumptuary art, above all from the baroque period, and a large collection of articles in precious metals and liturgical ornaments.

This building, with simple elegant architecture, started to be built in 1914 and was opened in 1927 by his Majesty the King Alphonse XIII, and Victoria Eugenie. The following are among the most important rooms in the Palace:

The Throne Room, in French style, decorated with crystal chandeliers and Venetian mirrors, is adorned with some frescos by the artist from Granada, Mariano Bertuchi, who had a close relationship with our city because he not only lived here but also became its deputy mayor. The city’s Royal Standard is also in this room, a banner brought by John I of Portugal when he conquered the city, which is made of Damascus silk with inscriptions of the Portuguese and Castilian coats of arms, paraded on Corpus Christi. The Meeting Room, with furnishing from Talavera in Spanish renaissance style and decorated with portraits of former mayors and crowned by a portrait of his Royal Highness King Juan Carlos I. The Rotonda Room is in imperial style and was the former smoking room. It was also decorated by Bertuchi and Alphonse XIII, Primo de Rivera and Juan Carlos I have all leant over its balcony and from there the 2nd Republic was declared. There are other paintings by Bertuchi in the Former Mayor’s Office, from a visit he made to Ceuta and a portrait of the local hero Lieutenant Ruiz. The stairs to the first floor, with some Talavera ceramic skirting boards and a stained glass window with some sketches by Bertuchi, where the motto is placed declaring that the city is “always noble, loyal and absolutely faithful”.

PALACE OF THE ASSEMBLY


DESTINATION CEUTA


This museum was created when the remains of the Late Roman Basilica were discovered, which are of great historic importance since they are the only Christian remains on these shores of the Mediterranean from the 4th century. The Basilica is a building formed by a single rectangular room and two side naves, made of stone from local quarries, and from the studies conducted, we now know it is an unfinished monument, either for historical reasons related to the area or because it was used as a cemetery. The museum opened its doors to the public on 1 November 2006, All Saints’ Day, and, in addition to the remains of the Basilica, the museum includes a route from prehistoric times to the era of Islamic rule. Among the most significant areas of the museum, there is a part devoted to the study of the salting factories, the first activity to be carried out in the Roman era. From the Cathedral and Plaza de Africa the route of fish could be watched and when the fishing had finished they disembarked from the north beach. The utmost peak in this trade was from the 2nd century b.c. until the 5th century, when trade consortiums were set up and distribution was carried out by sea. The typical container was the amphora and there were different types. Sauces were also traded, such as the famous Garum, which did not depend on the seasonal nature of fishing.

Lastly, there is the section related to life after death, with a sarcophagus from the Roman era discovered in Plaza de Africa and that had been made in Rome, in which the high level reached by the city can be seen. At the end of the route we reach the Necropolis, with two levels, where burials took place in great poverty lacking any belongings. Almost all of them are anonymous and they are men and women with life expectancy of no more than about 40 years of age.

THE LATE ROMAN BASILICA


DESTINATION CEUTA


When it was first created in 1940, the Legion Museum was in a barracks room of the 2nd Legion Tercio in Morocco, but due to the country’s independence in 1956, the Tercio was transferred and along with it the museum. It records historical testimonies of this elite unit that was founded in Ceuta in 1920 by Millan Astray. In addition to banners, uniforms, photographs and weapons, a portrait of Millan Astray should be pointed out, which was painted by Ignacio Zuloaga and a propaganda poster painted for the Legion by Mariano Bertuchi in 1925. Its pieces are exhibited in four rooms:

The Laureados Room commemorates the 22 decorated soldiers in the Legion, through photographs, files and other documents, medals and personal mementos.

The Toledo Room. There are the 203 heroes in this room in frames with their photographs, names and posts they had when they were in combat and a summary of the events.

The Africa Room. Here there are pieces, personal objects of important figures in the Legion and 18 plans of the units that existed at the time, with medals, miniatures, documents and uniforms.

The Spain Room. This includes various collections of weapons, former barracks standards and mementos of the presence of members of the UN peacekeeping force of the Legion in the former Yugoslavia.

THE LEGION MUSEUM


DESTINATION CEUTA


This museum occupies one of the former ravelin pavilions built in 1900 by the Military Engineers Squad, according to a project designed by Ceuta’s Exempt Command.

In 1989, the building’s restoration project was approved to set up the museum there, in the same year it was declared Cultural Heritage.

Its façade is in neoclassical style. The structure is built on two floors over cushioned skirting boards, decorated with pilasters in superimposed order flanking a series of openings. A set back third floor finishes off this building.

The museum occupies the ground and first floors. Part of the building is used for a permanent exhibition of the Archaeological Section, observing the criteria for chronological division into Ancient, Medieval and Modern Times, each of them dealing with a series of important core themes for each period. The facilities are completed by two rooms used for temporary exhibitions.

THE MUSEUM OF CEUTA


DESTINATION CEUTA


These baths were steam baths or hammans. They were used for both hygienic-sanitary needs and for the aspects of Islamic life. They were open at certain times for men and other times for women and some baths were connected to the nearby mosques. These baths have been considered as the successors of Roman thermal baths, however with less monu¬mental impact. Three important times have been detected in their construction: The first in medieval times, before the baths were founded, thought to be the remains of a dwelling, the second between the 12th and 13th

centuries when the main body of the baths was built, formed by rectangular areas with a barrel vault and quadrangular skylights, and the third was during the Marinid rule when the cold room was extended. The structure of the baths consists of various parts:

The Patio, measuring 30 square metres, which allowed access to the various rooms in the baths and allowed the service staff access to the furnace and boiler area. The Cold Room, from the Marinid era, is in a rectangular shape, illuminated by quadrangular skylights open in the barrel vault used as a roof. The Warm Room, also in a rectangular shape, is connected through two openings to the cold and hot rooms. The Hot Room is of greater constructive complexity due to needing an excavated area under the level of the floor through which the hot air circulated used to raise the temperature. The Service Area, mainly consisting of the furnace, boiler and wood shed.

ARAB BATHS


DESTINATION CEUTA


DESTINATION CEUTA

And much more ...

The city walls show us the historical evolution of Ceuta through the various transformations it underwent in its defensive structure; in particular we should point out the transformations due to the Portuguese conquest in 1415 and the reconstruction ordered after the disastrous storm in the 17th century that destroyed the city walls. Some stretches of the wall near the Mallorquines Fortress are from the original design built in the 10th century by Abd al-Rahman III.

THE CITY WALLS

The Afrag or Al-Mansura, the Royal Encampment, was founded in 1328 by sultan Abú Said. Its location was chosen for its strategic geographic position and the fact it was near a river, the Fes stream, which was also used as a natural defence and a source of supplies of building materials, and as a supply of water for the settlers in the fortress. Its construction was based on the Fes al-Jadid programme (“New Fes”) and was designed as the residence of the sultan and his followers. The facilities of the Afrag are completed by baths, various mosques and the main or largest one has a magnificent minaret, corn exchanges and dwellings for the sultan’s service staff. Nowadays, it represents the best example of preserved Marinid architecture in Spain and a magnificent example of medieval defensive architecture. Admission is free since the whole route is around the outside of the walls.

THE MARINID WALLS

C/ Pedro la Mata, s/n.

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Paseo de las Palmeras / Avenue Juan Pablo II

This is a citadel built at the beginning of the 10th century under the orders of Almansur, currently preserving a series of walls with semicircular towers, possibly from the 16th

century, which enclose various fortresses built in the 18th century. There are various buildings inside and the main one was used as a prison for several centuries.

THE MONTE HACHO FORTRESS

The natural border between Ceuta and Morocco is formed by seven hills, crowned by seven neo-medieval style towers, built in the 19th century, designed as look-out points to defend the city. These seven hills were called Septem Frates (seven brothers) in the Roman era and the etymology of Ceuta is believed to come from this term.

SMALL NEO-MEDIEVAL FORTRESSES AND TOWERS

This consists of a set of six allegoric sculptures of Peace, Africa, Industry, the Arts, Trade and Work. The original six sculptures were carved from Carrara marble in 1892 commissioned by the City Council of Ceuta. The current statues are stone replicas.

ALLEGORICAL SCULPTURAL COMPLEX

Mount Hacho

Mount García Aldave

Plaza de la Constitución20

DESTINATION CEUTA

And much more ...

These are huge bronze statues of Hercules located in the entrance of the Port of Ceuta and Plaza de la Constitución. They symbolize the separation and the union of two continents: Europe and Africa, by using the mythical figure of Hercules thus being placed in the original setting of the myth, the Straits of Gibraltar.

THE HERCULES

Pedro de Meneses was the first governor of the city, appointed a few days after the conquest in August 1415 by King John I of Portugal. The sculptural complex represents Pedro de Meneses, seated on a bench in the Passage, with a child on his lap and holding a walking stick, the “aleo”, the wand that controlled the Government of Ceuta.

PEDRO DE MENESES

The Infante of Portugal, Enrique de Avis, better known as Henry the Navigator, was the most important figure at the beginning of the Age of Discovery. He convinced his father to conquer Ceuta and the city was taken in August 1415.

HENRY THE NAVIGATOR

Plaza de la Constitución / The port entrance

Paseo Marina Española, s/n.

The Puente del Cristo Roundabout 21

DESTINATION CEUTA

And much more ...

This monument is in baroque style, representing a penitent holding his small son’s hand. It symbolises passing the reigns to the younger generation.

THE EASTER MONUMENT OF CEUTA

An allegoric sculptural complex of our Magna Carta, a work by the sculptor Francisco López Hernández.

MONUMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

PEACE AND FREEDOM

In 1998, the city of Ceuta created the Co-Habitation Award, in support of co-habitation and respect among different cultures.

LIVING TOGETHER

This shows a young girl setting a dove free from one hand, while holding a chain in the other.

Plaza de los Reyes

Plaza de la Constitución

Paseo Marina Española

Avenida de España22

DESTINATION CEUTA

And much more ...

HOMER

This is a bust of the Greek geographer and historian Strabo who described Ceuta in his book Geography as “Hepta Adelphoi”.

STRABO

A bronze bust, 1.10 m high and weighing 80 kg, a work by the artist from Ceuta, Serrán Pagán.

PLATO

The most important geographer of the Roman Empire described Ceuta as “Septem Frates” referring to its seven hills.

POMPONIO MELA

Paseo de las Palmeras



Paseo de las Palmeras 23

DESTINATION CEUTA

And much more ...

Linked to Ceuta due to telling the story Ulysses experienced with the nymph Calypso on the island of Ogygia, located at the end of the world and that is related to Perejil Island or Mount Hacho.

A sculpture depicting Gandhi who led the Indian nationalist movement against British rule.

GANDHI

AL-IDRISI

A Soldier of the Legion on parade with his rifle over his shoulder, accompanied by a lamb wearing the legion’s “chapirí” (the typical cap worn by legionnaires).

A SCULPTURE PAYING HOMAGE TO THE LEGION

A soldier wearing full dress uniform. This is a sculpture paying homage to the regular troops, which have always had a unit in Ceuta.

A SCULPTURE PAYING HOMAGE TO THE REGULAR TROOPS


Plaza de Al Idrisi

Plaza del Teniente Reinoso

Avenida de los Regulares24

DESTINATION CEUTA

And much more ...

A bronze statue of the cartographer Al-Idrisi, considered to be the best geographer from the Middle Ages. He was born in Ceuta in the year 1100. Al Idrisi sustained the theory that the earth was round.

This commemorates the third centenary since the Mixed Artillery Regiment number 30 of Ceuta was founded.

ARTILLERY SCULPTURE

Rabbi Yosef Ben Yehuda Ben Acnin (1116-1177), a Jewish astronomer, mathematician and doctor, disciple of Maimonides, who was born and lived in Ceuta in the city’s Almohad era of splendour.

BEN YEHUDA

A Bust by the Nicoli brothers in 1892. The lieutenant from Ceuta, Jacinto Ruiz Mendoza, was honoured for his defence of the Monteleón Artillery Park in Madrid, during the events taking place on 2 May 1808.

BUST OF LIEUTENANT RUIZ

Further information at www.destinoceuta.com

Avenida Martínez Catena


Plaza del Teniente Ruiz

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DESTINATION CEUTA

And much more ...

DESTINATION CEUTA

Architecture

THE HOUSE OF THE DRAGONS (C/Camoens / Millán Astray)

PALACE OF THE ASSEMBLY (Plaza de África, s/n.)

THE TRUJILLO BUILDING (Paseo del Revellín, 1)

HOUSE OF THE PULPITS (Paseo Marina Española), nº21

THE PORT AUTHORITY (Muelle de España, s/n.)

A historical building with three floors that began being built at the end of the 19th century. The spectacular dragons crowning its facade are replicas of the originals that were removed during the 2nd Republic.

It was named after the family that commissioned its construction. The new building is inspired by the neo-baroque buildings of recent historical style that became fashionable in large Spanish thoroughfares. It stands out for its power that is even further reinforced due to its corner location.

It began being built in 1914 and was opened in 1927 by the Spanish kings Alphonse XIII and Victoria Eugenie. Its imperial staircase stands out with its ceramics from Talavera, its Portuguese inspiration of Ruiz de Luna and the Throne Room in French style.

This building was constructed in 1934/35. The four floors are designed in functional architectural style, only altered by some neoclassical and baroque elements, which have resulted in the building being commonly known as the House of the Pulpits due to the shape of its balconies.

This was built in 1929 and is a clear example of machine aesthetics. Inspired by a ship, with projecting eaves, openings in the shape of portholes and areas that look like funnels. It has been reformed.

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Our museums

MUSEO DE CEUTA

THE ARAB BATHS (Marina Española, Plaza de la Paz)

THE OPEN MUSEUM (The Royal Walls)

CATHEDRAL MUSEUM AND ARCHIVE (Plaza de África, s/n)

MUSEUM OF THE SEA FOUNDATION

This is housed in one of the pavilions of the former ravelin barracks built in 1900. It offers a permanent archaeological exhibition and two rooms are designed for temporary exhibitions. Paseo del Revellín, 30.Tel: (+34) 956 517 398

This museum is housed in the central part of Plaza de Armas of the Monumental Complex of the Royal Walls. There is a section in the Museum exhibiting fine arts, temporary exhibitions and “The 7 essences of Ceuta”. Saint Ignatius Ravelin. Tel: (+34) 956 524 432

These must have been built between the 12th and 13th centuries formed by a series of rooms on a rectangular base with a roof of a barrel vault and pyramidal trunk skylights. Museum site. Plaza de la Paz, s/n.Tel: (+34) 956 511 770

This shows visitors the religious images, precious metalwork, books and clothing from between the 15th and 20th centuries. We should point out its processional monstrance, Cabildo silver sceptres and an ivory and tortoiseshell Magdalene. Plaza de África, s/n.Tel: (+34) 956 517 771

This shows the evolution taking place in the port of Ceuta through a sample of planimetrics and photographic reproductions of the port. Muelle de España, s/n.Tel: (+34) 956 503 264

Acuarela: Pedro Orozco

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THE LATE ROMAN BASILICA (C/ Queipo de Llano, s/n.)

THE MUSEUM OF REGULAR TROOPS (Avda. Tte. Coronel Gautier)

SPECIFIC MUSEUM OF THE LEGION (Paseo de Colón)

THE DESNARIGADO MILITARY MUSEUM (Mount Hacho)

A site from the 4th century, its rooms house important archaeological findings, in particular the numerous pieces carved from marble and wood of the Madrasa al-Yadida should be highlighted. Cultural Heritage. C/Queipo de Llano, s/n. Tel: (+34) 856 200 699

Founded in 1940, it was moved from Dar-Riffien (Morocco) to Ceuta in 1978. It has exhibited historical pieces of the Legion since it was set up in 1920 by Millán Astray until modern times. Paseo de Colón, s/n.Tel: (+34) 956 526 458

An exhibition area devoted to the regular troops, with pieces that witness the history of this military unit since its foundation in 1911. It has four rooms. Avda. Tte. Coronel Gautier s/n.Tel: (+34) 956 521 805

Three exhibition rooms containing firearms, uniforms from the era, paintings, vexilla, etc. There are outside areas that include the ruins of the fort from the 17th century.Carretera del Monte Hacho, s/n.Tel: (+34) 956 527 458

Further information atwww.destinoceuta.com

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DESTINATION CEUTA

Our museums

DESTINATION CEUTA

The Mediterranean Maritime Park

A PLACE LIKE THIS DESERVES A SPECIAL ATTENTION. IMAGINE AN IDYLLIC SPOT RIGHT IN THE CENTRE OF THE CITY OFFERING 56,000 m2 OF SPECTACULAR BLUE SALT WATER LAKES, WATERFALLS AND DIVING BOARDS, WITH A SOLARIUM SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL PALM TREES. THIS IS THE MEDITERRANEAN MARITIME PARK.

The Mediterranean Maritime Park is seen by new arrivals when they enter the port of Ceuta with a line of palm trees that outline the city centre. Below all this cement and steel, the posthumous work by the artist César Manrique is the main tourist attraction in the area and one of the best leisure options for the residents of Ceuta. This work by Manrique was designed as a transposition of the Martiánez lakes in Tenerife, the Canary Islands, to Ceuta. The stone used to build it simulates the construction of the Monumental Complex of the Royal Walls and there is the small Royal Moat, which is used by swimmers, in its three huge salt water lakes, encompassed in a real botanical park with species from all over the world.

Avda. Compañía del Mar, s/n.

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The complex offers all you could possibly need for a relaxing day: sun bathing areas, a huge catering choice, from fast food to typical cuisine of the city, a day care centre with a huge security and lifeguard team to ensure your peace and quiet on a sunny day. All this at a reasonable price.

You can find all your need in this huge complex: tapas bars and restaurants, adults’ and children’s leisure and recreation areas, excellent service and all the facilities you could possibly need. It is in fact a small piece of paradise that the genius César Manrique decided to build in our city.

Don’t forget to visit the permanent exhibition devoted to this artist, which is open everyday at the facilities of the Maritime Park.

You can see his best and most impressive works there.

Tel.: (+34) 956 517 491

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DESTINATION CEUTA

The Mediterranean Maritime Park

FAR FROM THE MADDENING CROWDS, THE COAST OF CEUTA IS VIRGIN AND EXOTIC. ITS ISOLATED BEACHES, COVES AND CLIFFS BETWEEN TWO SEAS MAKE IT A DREAM PARADISE FOR SWIMMING AND SUNBATHING.

Ceuta has 21 km of coastline, with a varied choice of beaches, coves and rocks in two bays: The Atlantic to the north, with cold rougher water and the Mediterranean to the south, with warm, calmer water. Mount Hacho is in the most easterly end of the city, surrounded by both seas and the only place where you can witness the convergence of currents in the straits.

Ceuta has several beaches right in the city centre. In the Mediterranean, a few steps from Plaza de África and certified with the blue flag for the quality of its water and first aid services, with all the comforts of a modern European city: sports facilities, wheel chair access, showers, entrance walkway, assistance points, lifeguards, sun shades, etc.

DESTINATION CEUTA

Our beaches

This beach is in Ceuta’s southern bay and is bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, so its water is warm and calm. With fine sand, its dimensions are about 270 m long by 40 wide. It is a city beach so it is very popular and has all the services and night lighting.

This beach has been distinguished with the Blue Flag, a guarantee for its quality and safety standards.

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COASTS

BEACHES

“LA RIBERA” BEACH

This beach has warm calm water as in the whole of the southern bay, at the shores of Mediterranean Sea, with fine sand.

Its dimensions are about 1,300 m long by 30 m wide, being the largest beach in the city, and has been awarded the Blue Flag, a guarantee for its quality and safety standards. It is a city beach so it is very popular and has all the services and sports facilities.

“EL CHORRILLO” BEACH

This beach has cold crystalline water and is located outside the city centre, in the northern bay, at the foot of a pine tree hill. It has rough gravel sand and moderate waves.

“CALAMOCARRO” BEACH

This cove is characterised by its calm crystalline water. Certainly a favourite spot for fishermen and underwater photographers. Its beach is sandy and rocky.

“EL DESNARIGADO” COVE

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DESTINATION CEUTA

Our beaches

This beach is located in the northern bay on the Atlantic coast, with moderate waves and it is windy. Don’t miss watching the sunset from this beach.

“BENZÚ” BEACH

This is a sandy gravel cove with calm water. There are not usually many people here. It faces north.

“SAN AMARO” BEACH

Like all the beaches on the Atlantic coast, it is characterised by its high waves and cold water. Its beach consists of areas with gravel, sand and pebbles.

It is located in a city area and is frequented by many people living in the area. It is equipped with all services as well as sports facilities.

“BENÍTEZ” BEACH

Further information atwww.destinoceuta.com 33

DESTINATION CEUTA

Our beaches

If you would like to enjoy the wide range of possibilities offered by the geographic location of Ceuta as a water sports tourist destination, we propose a long list of activities:

SCUBA DIVINGSNORKELLINGDEEP SEA DIVING COURSES AND SPECIALITIESWHALE SPOTTING FISHING ON BOATSRENTAL OF SAIL BOATS SEA KAYAKSPEDAL BOATSWATER TREKKING

These activities, along with the supplementary service offer, such as accommodation, gastronomy, catering, travel agencies, rural tourism, sports activities, transport, leisure marina and supplementary activities make Ceuta and its “Nautical Centre” an appealing reason to visit our city.

MULTI-ADVENTUREHORSE RIDING

HIKINGBIRD WATCHING

BIKE RIDING TOURSGUIDED TOURSKAYAK FISHING

SAILING COURSESFISHING COURSES

NAUTICAL TRAINING COURSES

NAUTICAL STATION

Find all the information at:[email protected]

Tel.: (+34) 628 867 497

Ceuta, the sea and sports

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DESTINO CEUTA

DESTINATION CEUTA

Let’s go shopping

¿POR QUÉ COMPRAR EN CEUTA?

Due to our non-mainland Spain location, Ceuta has always benefited from a more advantageous tax system than the Mainland Spain. An example of this special treatment is its category as a duty free zone and therefore goods can be imported and exported tax free, which lowers their cost.

This situation also implies that Value Added tax (VAT) is not applicable either, which is replaced by our Production, Services and Importation Tax (IPSI), a local indirect tax, which is charged at a rate from 0.5% to 10%, therefore very much lower than the 21% VAT applicable on the Mainland Spain, which means there are better prices for all kinds of consumer goods, such as jewellery, liquor, tobacco, electronic goods, etc.

Ceuta offers quality, variety and professionalism at very affordable and attractive prices for visitors.

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DESTINATION CEUTA

Where to eat

Few cities can offer visitors such a wide variety of dishes in their gastronomy as Ceuta. The home of many different cultures where each of them have left their stamp, as well as their culinary art, with the added advantage of being so near the sea.

Here you can try all kinds of fish and seafood offered to us by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. One just needs to take a glance at the Main Produce Market and see its fish stands, with the varied colours of fish jumping, among which the following should be highlighted: grouper, red mullet, or sword fish, tuna, greater amberjack, anchovies, sardines, whiting, plaice, hake, sole, dogfish, flying fish, mackerel, sea bream, pollack, turbot, cuttlefish, squid, octopus and clams. Among the seafood available are live lobsters, king prawns, shrimps and crayfish, and some marvellous crabs, with which delicious “txangurros” (cooked spider crab served in its shell) can be made.

Good tapas are one of the main components of our gastronomic offer: excellent tapas and skewers are served in bars and taverns of various styles, which makes the “tapa route” a must for the most demanding gourmets.

We should not forget the salted fish, tuna and “volaores” (flying fish) dried in the sun beside the sea, an exquisite characteristic of Ceuta that you simply must try if you visit Ceuta in the summer. High quality Arab cuisine can be enjoyed in many parts of Ceuta due to being a city that borders Morocco: kebabs, typical desserts and endless possibilities that make our city one of the most exotic and varied places for its gastronomic offer.

OUR CUISINE

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DESTINATION CEUTA

Ceuta 2015, The Cultural Melting Pot Foundation

This is called the “The Cultural Melting Pot Foundation 2015”, a non-profit making organisation set up as a foundation and under the State control for the purpose of administrative competence and, based on the wishes of its founders, with long-lasting heritage devoted to the commemoration of the 6th Centenary of the historic event of Ceuta entering the Modern Era when the Kingdom of Portugal arrived in this much loved city with the resulting cultural encounter.

The history and life of Ceuta can not be told without including all the cultures that have passed through it and left their stamp, Romans, Arabs and, in particular, the influence of the Kingdom of Portugal. This has had an impact on all the aspects of life in the city: its language, its symbols, its administrative structure, its economy and, above all, the aspects of its own identity and character as a city, to become, with the passing of time, the city it is today.

Therefore, the main aim of the Foundation is to carry out cultural actions to promote and reinforce all kinds of studies, courses and research on the era, organise cultural, entertainment, educational or social activities in order to make a firm contribution to promoting the culture and identity of the city of Ceuta in line with other countries in the European Union.

[email protected]: (+34) 660 180 962

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As a clear example that Ceuta is a real Cultural Melting Pot, where four very different cultures live together in exemplary harmony, we can cite some of the many religious buildings spread around the city.

The hermit dedicated to the Saint that Lisbon and Padua disputed and for which the people of Ceuta feel special devotion, dedicating a special public procession to it every 13 June. Its title image was created in the 17th century. Address: Carretera de Monte Hacho, s/n.

A sacred place for Muslims in Ceuta, it preserves an ancient marabout, possibly from the 18th century, which some link to the Serrallo palace, very well restored in recent decades, in the surroundings of which there is the Muslim cemetery.Address: Calle Claudio Vázquez, s/n.

Built in the 1970s, it replaced and modernised the former syna-gogue of Ceuta. The brightly coloured windows inside, made by using a modern glass wall technique, and the general layout of the room should be pointed out. Address: C/ Sargento Coriat 8.

A beautiful religious temple of the Hindu community built in the 1950s in Ceuta. It is in a “modern Neo-Vedic” style, reproducing the standards in the sacred Hindu architectural manual. Address: Calle Echegaray, s/n.

DESTINATION CEUTA

Other religious buildings

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THE SAN ANTONIO HERMIT

THE BET SYNAGOGUE

THE HINDU TEMPLE OF CEUTA

THE SIDI EMBAREK MOSQUE

Publication:

Graphic Design:TOURIST SERVICES OF [email protected]: (+34) 856 200 560

Printing:

Text and photographs:TOURIST SERVICES OF CEUTA, with collaboration in the texts by Gabriel Fernández Ahumada and photographs by Quique Rodríguez Castillo, Josequín Miláns del Bosch and Arturo Fuentes Viñas.

Legal Registration:

www.destinoceuta.com

CREDITS

Papel de [email protected]

B-49.577-2007

TOURIST SERVICES OF CEUTA

Ceuta Tpurist Guide

Documents

Transcript of Ceuta Tpurist Guide