Tarifa



Tarifa was transformed from a strategic military fortress to a remote fishing town, and today tourism flourishes in this melting pot of cultures. Every population which either settled or passed by has left its imprint. This is evident from traces of Ancient Rome to the modern windsurfing culture although Tarifa´s Moorish style is still predominant with its old city center.


 * __History:__** Believed to have been founded in 2118 B.C. The city takes its name from the Berber Tarif Ben Malluk. The Arabs called the place Ïsland of Tarif¨ hence the name Tarifa. Under the Muslim domination, despite not being very populated, it was a port of great activity. El-Andalus used this harbor for disembarking and resting their troops on their way to North Africe. Alfonso VI was the first Chrisitan King that entered this city under the Islamic domination. Until 1291 Tarifa lived through a lot of battles between Muslims and Christians.




 * __Information Center:__** 956 68 09 93


 * __Population:__** 17,199


 * __Altitude:__** 25 meters


 * __Distance from Granada:__** 282.6 km

__**Monuments:** The Church of San Mateo__- The main building is of late Gothic style, dating back to the 16th century. The facade, accomplished by the architect Torcuato Cayon in the 17th century, is neo-classic. __The City Walls and the Puerta de Jerez-__ The current walls that enclose Tarifa are the result of several construction phases and restorations, the most important accomplished in the 18th century, when the city was converted into a military base during Spain´s attempt to recapture Gibraltar. Two main sections of the wall can be distringuished. The first one corresponds to the walls during Islamic domination, which included the ancient Tarifa medina, located in the extreme south end of the city. Its remains can be seen in various parts of the city as for example on the steep frontal cliff facing the Straits.The only remaining gate of the Islamic section of wall is the so called "Puerta de la Almedina". After the Christian conquest, the Tarifa Medina widened till reaching the limits of the current walls, raised presumably between the 15th and 16th centuries. In the north front of this new defence system opens the only existing gate, the "Puerta de Jerez". Formed by three consecutive arches, the first of them is built of stone and is middle-point shaped. The other two arches are made of red brick in a horse-shoe shape and testify a Moorish architectural influence. __The Castle of Guzman el Bueno-__ The Castle of Guzmán el Buenowas built in 960 AD. by the Caliph Abderramán III on the ruins of a possible Roman military camp. It was strategically sited for the control of the communication routes between Africa and Europe, being in the narrowest point of the Strait of Gibraltar. It's built as an irregular quadrilateral, to Roman architectural concepts, transmitted by Syrian and Byzantine military architectures. The central core is the most ancient part. Its towers are still original except the ones on the south front, that were modified in the 18th century in order to install artillery. The Castle has been frequently occupied. Both Muslims and Christians have resisted several sieges of great hardness. During the most memorable of them took place the heroic deed of Guzmán el Bueno, in 1295. He observed from the castle the death of his son at the hands of the Muslims, who took the boy hostage in their final effort to take Tarifa. Guzmán was not to lose his beloved town by any means... The last of the sieges suffered by the city and by the Castle occurred in 1812, when Napoleon's troops could not overcome Tarifa's tenacious resistance.

__**Fairs and Festivals:** February__- The month of the carnival which is celebrated with costumes, ridings, balls, and parades. It is centerd around a contest of parodies, a contest divided into three categories; ¨Coros¨, ¨Comparsas¨, and ¨Chirigotas¨. There are also parades and fancy dress, a pageant of inventiveness, humour, and subtle irony. __March-April__- Easter week __May 15th-__ Fair of Tahivilla to honor St. Isidro __June 25th__- Fiesta of St. John __September__- Fiestas de la Virgen de Luz, with important Romeria at the Sanctuary on the last week. The festivities start on the first Sunday of September literally to the second. Party all night long and typical meals during the day with traditional outfits and horse parades in true Spanish style. Thursday is the highlight day with thousands of horses and horsemen dressed in their typical clothing.

Suk Restaurant- Moroccan cuisine with an Arabic atmosphere. Mandragora Restaurant- Hidden Moorish and Spanish family run resturant. Hotel Hurricane- Friendly, quiet and great food.
 * __Food and Drink:__**