What to visit
in Tarifa
Between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Tarifa, a crossroads of civilizations, reveals a rich historical heritage through its ramparts, castles and monuments. Follow the guide.
In the Village
In the area
Between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Tarifa, a crossroads of civilizations, reveals a rich historical heritage through its ramparts, castles and monuments. Follow the guide.
In the heart of Tarifa, several sites trace a rich and fascinating history, combining Roman, medieval, Muslim and Christian influences, witnesses of the wars and cultures that have marked the region.
Built between 1930 and 1933 by the Ministry of the Navy, it was meant to house an optical maritime telegraph, which was never installed.
Bombed in 1936, it later became a maritime and meteorological control center before becoming municipal property in 2001. Today, it remains closed to the public.
San Mateo Church is the main place of worship in Tarifa, located in the heart of the old town. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century on the remains of an ancient mosque.
Generally flamboyant Gothic in style, the Baroque facade was built in 1774.
The statue known as “Dama Romana”, in front of the Puerta de Jerez, is an archaeological relic dating from Roman times, discovered in the region.
This sculpture illustrates the historical importance of Tarifa, which was a strategic and cultural point during Antiquity, especially under Roman rule.
It is an emblematic fortress built in 960 by order of the Caliph Abd al-Rahman III of Cordoba. It was initially used as a defense against incursions from Africa and the North.
Its name pays tribute to Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, nicknamed “el Bueno” (The Good), who, in 1294, preferred to sacrifice his son rather than hand over the city to the Muslim besiegers.
The building housing the Mercedes Gaibrois Municipal Public Library is a remarkable example of architecture Neo-Mudejar, a style very popular in Spain at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
This style is inspired by Islamic decorative elements, as a tribute to the rich Andalusian heritage, while being adapted to the modern buildings of the time.
The general Francisco de Copons y Navia (1764-1842) is a Spanish military figure known for his crucial role during the Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814), also called Peninsular War.
This war pitted Spain, supported by the United Kingdom and Portugal, against the occupation of Napoleonic troops.