History
The strategic location, in the natural harbor that forms the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, attracted since ancient times to marine traders who conducted trade with the peoples of our geographical environment
The origin of the first settlement of Sanlúcar is sponsored by the construction of a temple dedicated to Phoenician times Astarte, the Phoenician goddess of love and fertility. Remains of this temple have been found in the dune complex called La Algaida, today 'Doñana Natural Park'.
Already in historical times they have data on the existence of a Muslim fortress called 'The Castle of Seven Towers' defending the mouth of the Guadalquivir. Guzman el Bueno takes possession of the fortress and the town in 1297 as a donation of King Sancho IV for his services during the Reconquest. From now until 1640 Guzmanes flaunted the lordship of the town, and its descendants the Dukes of Medina Sidonia.
After the discovery of the New World, Sanlúcar becomes a reference port, starting with Christopher Columbus on his
third trip and Magellan on the first voyage of circumnavigation, entering the state of major economic boom in its history, thanks to the promotion of trade between America and the port of Seville, organized by the Duke of Medina Sidonia.
In the first half of the seventeenth century the Dukes of Medina Sidonia lose the Lordship of the city and Sanlúcar joins the Crown beginning here a long decline that worsens with the passage of the House of Hiring to Cadiz, looking excluded like that the trade route to America, lasting this decline until the nineteenth century when the city is favored by Godoy, becoming the capital of a province comprising, on the Atlantic coast, from Ayamonte to Rota and inland to the city of Lebrija.
In any case, the arrival of the Dukes of Montpensier one of the most representative landmarks of the splendor of the city in the nineteenth century. Having established his court in Seville, they decided to reside in Sanlucar de Barrameda in the summer seasons, building to effect a beautiful romantic palace. Thus began, again, a flourishing social life of the city,
beautiful summer homes being built and organizing each year an entertaining festive cycle culminating with horse racing on the beach, an event that lasts until today.
The economic revival came from the hand of emerging companies who started winemaking, and at that time, the successful commercial development of aging wine and liquor production, economic activity remains to this day.