Rota

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Rota
Cadiz
Puerto
Sanlucar

Here is the location of Rota (Cadiz) Spain, for visitors to the Rota Crony Web Site!

(This latest image is courtesy of John Mark Ezell, Thank you for the assistance John.)

 

The city of Rota is in the province of Cadiz, which is located within the autonomous region of Andalucia, the southern such region in Spain. Rota is within easy driving range of Sevilla, Gibraltar, Malaga, and Granada.

Rota has become a popular tourist center with its beautiful beaches and proximity to the sherry wine centers of Jerez and Sanlúcar as well as the  historically important towns of Cadiz and Puerto de Santa Maria, Medina Sedonia, etc.

The information below on the origins of the name or our Town was submitted by: Robert B. Tormaschy and is very appreciated -

ROTA SPAIN.   Rota was founded by the Phoenicians about the same time as they founded Cádiz. They called it: ASTAROTH.  And they were of the TARTESIAN empire.

When the Romans came, they called it: SPECULUM ROTAE.

When the Moors came they named it: RABITA RUTTA and it is from there that Rota got it's president day name of Rota.

 

History-

The city of Rota, because its coastal situation, has been a passage for various cultures and civilization such as Tartesics. Romans, Arabs and finally the Christians conquest, who gave Sancho IV "The Brave" gave the city to Mr. Alonso Perez of Guzman "The  Good" who gave it later to his daughter Isabel as a wedding present when she married Mr. Fermin Ponce de Le6n, Maestre of Alcantara and First Lord of Marchena. In 1780 the XIth Duke of Arcos died without succession and the city was taken by the Duke of Osuna. In 1823 this lordship was abolished.

Beaches-

Rota, surrounded with more than 16 km. of golden fine sandy beaches, offers delightful places for rest, leisure and sports, with beaches with spread out front of the city such as "La Costilla" and "El Rompidillo ", with beautiful boardwalks and wide virgin beaches such as "El Chorrillo", "Punta Candor" surrounded by pine tree woods and "La  Ballena" close to the Costa Ballena tourist complex.

Parks-

Rota has many natural spaces such as "Parque Atlántico" facing the sea, "Parque del Mayeto" in honor of the Rota farmer "Manuel Liaño", "Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente" , "La Almadraba" natural park and "Celestino Mulis" Botanical Gardens.

Cuisine-

Rota takes all the ingredients of its dishes from the fields and the sea. Among its specialties are "Urta a la Roteña", a typical dish made with fish and products of the land, the "Urta Soup", the "Arranque Roteña", the "Berza", the "Tortillas de Camarones", the "ortiguillas", the "Pescado Frito", the butifarras and the "Tintilla'" a locally appreciated sweet wine.

Fiestas-

Rota offers a wide program of festivities such a Carnival (February), Holy Week (April), Spring Fair (May), Urta Festival (August), the Patron Saint Festivities (October).

Monuments-

Parish Church "Nuestra Señora de la O" -     In the XVIth century, Rodrigo Ponce de León, Lord of Rota. Duke of Arcos and First Marquis of Cadiz decides to build a temple in honor of "Nuestra Senora de la Expectación", with a notable decoration, conjunction and highly impressive different styles: Gothic, Isabelline, Plateresque and Baroque.

Luna Castle-    This castle was built on an ancient Moslem "Ribat" from the Xlllth century. The ground floor is a rectangle with five towers. In summer cultural activities are held in its interior.

Merced Tower-    This tower is all that remains of the ancient Merced Convent, which was built in 1600 and destroyed by a hurricane in 1722. Later was rebuilt with the same form and decoration: the second floor is covered with a blue and white glazed tiles. 

All of the above information, i.e.. History, Beaches, Parks, Cuisine, Fiestas, and Monuments has been copied from a tourist booklet provided by the Rota Tourists Office and their email address is turismo@aytorota.es

Here are a few photos of our town. Click on a thumbnail to enlarge photo and use your browser's back arrow to return to this page.

Rota 4th July 2008

Low tide and early in the morning

Rota 4th July 2008

The base pier from Rota

Rota 4th July 2008

Rota, calm seas, blue water, smooth sailing

Rota 4th July 2008

Cadiz in the distance on a very calm day

Rota 4th July 2008

My bike, thermos of tea, my morning bench

Rota 4th July 2008

The new Admin building.

Rota 4th July 2008

Our flag will be gone tomorrow until next year

Rota Summer 2008

The water looks inviting.

Rota Summer 2008

That's Cádiz in the distance.

Rota Summer 2008

The paseo is empty, it's early in the morning.

Rota Summer 2008

Rota in the frame.

Rota Summer 2008

Interesting rock formation on the beach.

Rota Summer 2008

Very early and no sun bathers yet.

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Feria de Primavera - 2008

Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

We're ready for Carnival

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Straighten up that line there

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

What's for dinner

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Rota Carnival 2008 - Photo by Terry Metz

Naval Station - 2007

A different view of the new NEX mall on the Naval Station

Naval Station NEX - 2007

Navy Exchange/Commissary Mall taken a few weeks prior to the opening.

Rota - 2007

Off to the church we go.

Rota - 2007

This is the way we go to a wedding in Rota.

Rota - 2007

Gonna get married, today.

Base Hospital

Happy Birthday and now you know why I can't lose weight.

My Boss

I'm a Red Cross Volunteer and work for this hard working person.

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Carnival in Rota - 2007

Photo by Charles Hampton

Thirsty?

A temporary refreshment stand in a plaza.

Rota - August 2006 - Photo by Terry M.

Sunset as seen from the Naval Station looking west.

Benny's Bar - Rota 2006

The legend lives no more.

Benny's 2006

The front door is all that remains.

Benny's

Many good times and many memories from year's past.

Benny's 2006

Not much remains of the old Benny's Bar - home away from home for many Rota sailors.

Retired and gone home.

Rafael's barbershop is now another casualty of advancing years.

Rafael's Crony Barbershop

Rafael retired on the last day of December 2005. Where do I get my haircuts now!

Plaza Triumfo

Looking away from the base.

Virgon del Rosario

Restored statute of Rota's patron Saint.

Plaza Triumfo

Another view

Plaza Triumfo

Dedication

Plaza Triumfo

Bronze plaque with Virgin Rosario of legend

Plaza Triumfo

Another view of the Virgin

Plaza Triumfo

Facing away from the base

Virgin del Rosario

Looking toward Avda. San Fernando

Virgin del Rosario

Looking toward bus station (train station a long time ago)

Virgin del Rosario

View from the rear

Virgin del Rosario

Different view

Virgin del Rosario

New Plaza Triumfo

Looking away from Naval Station.

New Plaza Triumfo

Another view looking toward town.

New Entrance to Base

All new traffic circle at gate entrance.

New Plaza Triumfo

Looking toward the base.

New Entrance to Base

Another view of the new entrance to the base.

New Plaza Triumfo

Another view.

New Plaza Triumfo

View showing improvements to the plaza.

New Entrance to the Base

Looking towards the gate from town.

New Plaa Triumfo

Once more. . .looking toward the base.

Dedication of new entrance to base

Done in azulejos (tiles).

Dedication

Another closer view,

Rota

Artist depiction of the new main gate to the Rota Naval Base

Rota Gate

Another view with cost data, etc.

Rota

View of new construction in front of Naval Station Gate.

Rota

Another view looking toward old train station.

Rota

View looking at Plaza Triumpho.

Rota

Looking toward the absent Venta El Matadero

Rota

Different angle.

Rota

Same series of photos.

Rota

Rota

View from Plaza Triumpho towards the gate.

Rota

Gate towards the Plaza

Rota

These two pedestals located at the begining of Avda. De La Marina were a mystery.

Rota Memorial Monument

Mystery solved. Memorial to lives lost in a shipwreck in 2004.

Rota Memorial Momument

Hand reaching for help.

Rota Memorial Monument

View of hands memorial.

Rota Memorial Monument

This monument was erected on 25 Feb. 2005.

Rota Memorial Monument

Memorial to those whose lives were lost at sea seeking a better life.

Rota Memorial Monument

These hands are nearly as tall at street lamp post, maybe taller.

Rota Memorial Monument

Read about this on the News Page - Feb 28, 2005.

Carnival 2005

All these Carnival photos taken by Charles Hampton

Carnival Rota 2005

Costume parade during final of Carnival

Carnival 2005

Carnival 2005

Carnival 2005

Carnival 2005

Carnival 2005

Carnival 2005

Carnival 2005