DAY 5 - ARCOS de la FRONTERA 

Our second day out took us to Arcos de la Frontera - one of the "White Towns".  To get there this time we took the train to Jerez de la Frontera and then the local bus.  Across the South of Spain there are a number of ".... de la Fronteras".  They formed a last line of defence created by the Moors to protect the region from the Christians who were slowly occupying the Northern regions.

The town sits atop a sandstone ridge and this provides some great views of the surrounding countryside. As a result it is quite a climb up to the top of the town from the bus station, add to that, it was a hot day.

We arrived just before lunchtime and had lunch at the Tabernes Jovenes Falmencos which has flamenco/bull fighting decor and brilliantly red tables.  It was here that we tried genuine oxtail, very rich and meaty, if bony.

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The Tabernas Jovenes Flamenco
A pretty railing
 

The Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asuncion, a Gothic-cum- baroque creation built on the site of a mosque (again!).  Here we learned one of the problems in looking at such places, they aren't open all day and we missed the time when it was open.

Another view from the other side

The tower of the Basilica

One of the many narrow streets
Another view down, quite long way up
Close by the lunch stop and another narrow hilly cobbled street
A view along the ridge where the town sits

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