La Luisiana: Roman Baths, Architectural History and Local Traditions

Water and Roman History

The original Roman structure of the Baños Romanos in La Luisiana comprises a rectangular basin that held the thermal water. The archaeological site is located in the southeast of the built-up area of La Luisiana, on the right bank of the Arroyo Carrión. From around 1793, the Roman Baths of La Luisiana were used as public baths. They served as baths until around 1887; afterwards, they were also used as a water reservoir. In this way, the complex combines its Roman architectural form with a use that changed over a long period.

The Fuente de los Borricos is a covered artesian well with a basin and a water outlet. Its present design probably dates from 1769. At this water site, the covered well design, its separate basin and the water outlet are therefore just as central as the dating of the present design.

Architectural History

The Iglesia Purísima Concepción in La Luisiana was inaugurated in March 1769. As a basilica-style church, it has three naves separated by Tuscan columns, as well as an elliptical dome with a lantern. The inauguration in March and the clearly structured interior architecture are among the defining features of the building.

The Casa de Postas has a structure and façade dating from the late 18th century and is considered an important example of the colony's cultivated Baroque style. The building includes a courtyard with a gallery of Tuscan columns, whose arrangement forms another architectural detail of the house. The exterior, courtyard and column gallery reveal different components of the same historic building.

Cuisine and Tradition

La Luisiana's local sweet specialities include fried Rosquillas, Christmas Pestiños, Gachas and rice pudding. These dishes thus include both fried pastries and hot or creamy preparations.

The local cuisine includes Chacina such as Chorizo and fresh Morcilla, as well as Picadillo and the potato salad Aliño de Patatas, also known as Papas Endiablás. Picos or Roscos are served with these dishes.

A local festival tradition in La Luisiana is considered the only celebration handed down by the Central European ancestors of the local population. In the Día de los Huevos Pintaos tradition, eggs are boiled with colouring agents and then decorated with paint and drops of wax. The sequence of colouring, boiling and subsequent decoration forms part of the described procedure of this festival tradition.

Routes

A running event begins in La Luisiana, passes through El Campillo and Cañada Rosal, and ends in Écija. This fixed sequence therefore names La Luisiana as the starting point and Écija as the destination of the race.

If you drive from Seville to La Luisiana, a route via the A-4 motorway to exit 471 is indicated.

More destinations

For further destination options, you can choose from Utrera, Seville, La Puebla De Los Infantes, Estepa, Villanueva Del Río Y Minas, Alcolea Del Río, Esquivel and San Nicolás Del Puerto.

To the higher-level travel overview: Seville.