Lebrija is one of the most interesting towns in Lower Andalusia from an archaeological and ethnographic point of view, since it has been inhabited by humans throughout history. It seems that the first settlers arrived in Lebrija in prehistoric times and that the Romans later named it Veneria. During Al-Andalus it was rebuilt and called Lebrisah and, after many transformations, in 1264 it was conquered by Alfonso X. It is worth noting that flamenco is one of the distinctive features of Lebrija, the birthplace of Juan Peña ‘El Lebrijano’ and the pianist David Peña Dorantes. For more than 40 summers, the town has also celebrated the flamenco festival La Caracolá Lebrijana. And as if that were not enough, Lebrija was also the birthplace of the grammarian Elio Antonio de Nebrija (1444–1522), for whom the fifth centenary of his death was recently celebrated.

Town Hall square Convent of the Monjas Concepcionistas Santa María de la Oliva church Former Town Hall and Public Granary Nuestra Señora del Castillo chapel Pottery What to see in the surrounding area of Lebrija? Where to eat in Lebrija Where to stay close to Lebrija Town Hall square The Plaza de España in Lebrija, where the Town Hall is located, is one of the central points of the town and one of the main meeting places for local residents. The square also houses a statue of Elio Antonio de Nebrija, author of the first Spanish language grammar guide, created by the Seville-born sculptor José Lafita. To promote the work of Lebrija’s most illustrious son, the Nebrija Interpretation Centre, located off the courtyard of the Town Hall, traces the life of Spain’s first humanist.

Convent of the Monjas Concepcionistas A short distance from the Town Hall is the Convent of the Monjas Concepcionistas, founded in 1522 together with the original San Sebastián chapel, which has a magnificent sixteenth-century temple with an interesting carved stone façade. By the way, if you cross the adjacent street, Calle de las Monjas, you can see the flying buttresses that support the vault of the church.

Santa María de la Oliva church As often happened, Santa María de la Oliva church was built on top of a former mosque. Built in the time of Alfonso X el Sabio, in the second half of the thirteenth century, the church still preserves its cloisters, known as the Patio de los Naranjos (the Orange Tree Courtyard) and houses an interesting Museum of Sacred Art. Also impressive is its eighteenth-century tower, nicknamed the Giraldilla because of its resemblance to Seville cathedral’s tower. The main altarpiece is one of Alonso Cano’s most essential works.

Former Town Hall and Public Granary In front of La Oliva parish, just before you go up to what remains of Lebrija castle, is the former Town Hall and Public Granary with its Renaissance-style façade, which was in use until the nineteenth century. All that remains of the former Town Hall is the façade, which still bears the coat of arms of its original owners. On the lintel of the façade there is an inscription from The Book of Wisdom: ‘Love justice, you who judge on earth’. Inside you can see what remains of two Roman houses with their cisterns and sewage systems. Nowadays this building houses