COIN VISITOR INFORMATION

HISTORY

Coin is dated from Tartessos times, there are ancient archaeological remains at the Cerro del Aljibe (Aljibe Hill), Cerro Carranque (Carranque Hill) and Llano de la Virgen (an important plain).

Roman-Iberian remains have been found at the Cerro del Aljibe dated from the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD. These remains are believed to be the rest of a native village which enjoyed certain economic position before the Roman period.

Some remains from a possible medieval village have been discovered at the ‘Llano de la Virgen’. Their economy was probably based on farming although hunting was also important. It seems that the village belonged to the advanced Copper Age.

With the Romans arrival, the village was first called Lacibis and later Lacobin.

When the Moors arrived in 929 they named it Castro Dazcuán and over the foundations of the Roman village, they built walls to defend it. During the Muslim rule, Coin enjoyed a favourable situation, due to a wealthy agriculture, the large number of forests and the terraced lands which were turned into irrigated lands through a system of irrigated ditches.

Later the Catholic Monarchs, who were enraged due to the killing of Pedro Louis de Alarcón, ordered the destruction of most of the town.

MONUMENTS

Torre Triangular De Los Trinitarios
The ‘Iglesia de los Trinatarios’, (Trinitarian Church) was founded in the first third of the 16th Century. In 1776 it was turned into a monastery, but unfortunately, it was destroyed and was transformed into a school.

Iglesia De San Juan Bautista
This church dates from the 16th Century. It was built over the ruins of an old Moorish castle under the Renaissance influence. The Catholic Monarchs started the building making use of a square tower of the Arabic walls which besieged Coín. Now it has become the belfry.

Iglesia De San Andrés
This church dates from the 16th Century. Its floor is L-shaped due to a later enlargement. It presents Mudejar style and it was built by the Fransiscan Monks.

Convento De Santa María De La Encarnación
Dates back from the 15th Century. It was built over an old mosque next to a tower which is now a belfry.
It was the first Parish Church. In 1742 it was bestowed upon some pious women and put to use as a Nunnery-Monastery and an Orphanage for girls. Later the community joined the order of St. Clare.

Ermita De Nuestra Señora De La Fuensanta
This hermitage was built in this enclave in memory of where Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta (Coín Patron Saint) was found in 1487.

CELEBRATIONS AND TRADITIONAL HABITS

Easter Week
The Holy Images are taken out on procession by members of the different holy brotherhoods on the following days: Palm Sunday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thurdays, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. In the outstanding procession on Holy Wednesday the Throne of the ‘Virgen del la Esperanza’ is carried by women on their shoulders.

Sacab (Andalusian Horse Show)
This show has been celebrated since 2004 at the end of March. We have various shows, horse competitions, conferences and everything related to the horse world.

Spring Festival
This fair is held in the first week of May, coinciding with ‘The Cross day’ (3rd of May). It also coincides with the procession of Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta to her Hermitage, where she can be venerated during the month of May.

Dìa De La Naranja
Around the middle of May the ‘Día de la Naranja’ is celebrated, coinciding with San Isidreo Labrador. During this day the products of the village are promoted and visitors are offered orange juice, orange salad and ‘sopa hervia’ (the most typical soup in this village) for free.

Romería De Nuestra Señora De La Fuensanta
This is held on the first weekend of June. On Saturday morning all carts gather at the Alarmeda to start the journey on foot or horseback towards the Hermitage where all the people from Coín and visitors spend a whole night of brotherhood and devotion.
At night a mass in honor of the Virgin of Fuensanta is held. On Sunday everybody returns to the village with the Virgin, who will be carried by a beautifully decorated cart to locate her on her throne at San Juan Church.

The Fair of August
This popular feast dates from 1765 when Carlos lll granted the village the honour to celebrate a four day fair from 10th to 14th of August.
Over the years, it has become the summer fair and it is celebrated from the 9th to the 15th of August. On the 15th Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta is taken on her throne along the main streets of the village. During this fair everybody can enjoy the traditional ‘Morning Fair’ and ‘Night Fair’, sporting events, the farming and the stockbreeding fair, dances and shows.

New Year’s Eve
The coming of the New Year is celebrated at Bermúdez de la Rubia Square and visitors together with the people from the village go in fancy dress and enjoy the festivities until the early hours.

Over the years more and more people have come to the village to enjoy the party.
It is a truly spectacular way to welcome the New Year!