Moron market day

A trip today to Moron de la Frontera, a large town with approximately 30,000 inhabitants about 45 minutes drive north of Olvera. Today was market day so we were keen to see if there were any bargains to be had.

Anne in jewellery heaven - "Honest. I don't want anything, just looking". Yeah, right!!

The market is held in the car park of the bullring and the impressive statue below stands just outside one of the entrances.

After wandering around the many stalls, we headed into the centre of town. The temperature this morning was a rather cool 12°C.

Moron still retains some of it older buildings, many with lovely feature windows still (nearly) intact.

The Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), rebuilt in 1878 on the site of a building originally dating from 1593.

Storks enjoying the sunshine on the bell tower.

Looking towards the 16th century Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel.

Segundo servicio de coche anuales

It's unbelievable looking back on the blog that the last time we came to Moron was last August when "Nellie's" first service was due. Where does time go !!!.

Today we went back to the Kia dealership to book an appointment for her second annual service and were pleasantly surprised that they could do it straight away. So with an hour and a half to kill, we walked into the centre of Moron.

The Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) with a stork's nest on the bell tower.

When you drive into Moron from Olvera, the initial impression is of an industrial town without much character.

Do not be put off by appearances though. Walk into the centre of town and it is well laid out, with pedestrianised streets, busy shops and quite a few cafe's and bars.

The Feria season is here and we passed this shop selling the beautiful, traditional dresses associated the celebrations.

By accident we came to a Plaza and the 17th century Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Victoria y del Espíritu Santa, in front of which stood this statue of a nun, Santa Ángela de la Cruz, after whom the Plaza is named.

A brilliant comment received from our good friend Dan and posted at the bottom of this post, provides a very interesting insight into the history surrounding this statue.

Looking up to the castle from the Plaza.

We really quite like Moron and shouldn't leave it so long before we return again......definately before the third annual service !!.

El coché "Nellie"

Our trusty car, Nellie, was due her first annual service yesterday so we drove to Moron, about 40kms north of Olvera, to drop her off at the dealership.










The service would take about two hours so we wandered off in the diection of the town centre.












We sat down for a coffee before taking a short walk to the tourist office where the assistant was very helpful in providing information about Moron and other places of interest in the area.











The Ayuntamiento (Town Hall).












The Iglesia de San Miguel, built between 1506 and 1730.

























The ruins of the medieval arab castle.












The tourist office had made particular reference to the "Paseo del Gallo", a park area with views looking over Moron.

In the park was a statue commemorating "The Legend of the Plucked Rooster of Moron".

Briefly, it is dedicated to a period in the 1500's when Moron was divided and the land was in dispute between the aristocracy and the people, eventually turning into riots.

In 1597, the government in Granada eventually sent a representative, Doctor Juan Esquivel, to try to resolve the situation. The Doctor however did not endear himself to either side with his bad ideas and lack of respect, proudly proclaiming that where he came from there wasn't any Rooster other than he. Because of this he was named "The Rooster of Moron".

With both sides unwilling to accept any outside intervention or arbitration, a plan was hatched to get rid of him. One night, he was kidnapped by the Lords of Moron, stripped of his clothes and beaten with sticks and "kindly invited" to leave Moron.

Since that time there is a saying in Moron, presumably to those who lack respect and try to impose their will, "You are turning into the rooster of Moron, plucked and crowing is the best you can do".



The views looking north over Moron from the park.


























Making our way down from the park we came upon this tiled mural, depicting the famous flamenco guitarist Diego Del Gastor.













The Casa De La Cultura, built in 1735 and the beautiful internal patio area below with it's red marble columns.


































A fountain on the entrance to town.

Moron market

Wednesday is market day in Moron, a twenty five minute drive north of Olvera, so we jumped in the jalopy and went to have a look.

The market is set up in a car park area just outside of the bullring. We parked the car and took a stroll around.

It was quite busy with lots of stalls, mainly selling clothes.

Live snails anyone ?.

Anne searching for that elusive bargain !!

As with all markets, the traders travel around different towns and villages each day of the week. Anne bought some dates and prunes from this stall and the lady recognised us as being from Olvera, which was quite nice.

Three weeks or so ago at the market in Olvera, we noticed that she had some dried chilli peppers on her stall, very hot. We only needed a few grammes so she kindly gave us them for free, which was quite unexpected.

Moron de la Frontera

Moron - a town about 40kms north of Olvera, 25 minutes drive and best described as industrial rather than pretty.

The temperature today is quite warm as shown on the sign at the Farmacia, so quite pleasant for a stroll around.

Oranges on the tree's in January, though we are informed they are not suitable for eating unless made into a marmalade.

















Sitting out enjoying the sunshine in the town square.

The castle at the top of town was not worth the trek. It was not well cared for, strewn with litter, broken glass and graffiti, not to be recommended unfortunately. The best thing about it were the views over Moron and beyond.