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GET TO KNOW OSUNA

Historical film location for Game of Thrones

By Another Way Of Life

May 22^nd, 2019

Osuna is situated in the eastern part of Seville province with fantastic connections by road and rail to the major cities of Andalusia: Seville, Malaga, Granada and Cordoba. Only 60 mins by car from Seville airport and an hour and a half's drive from Malaga airport, which is also connected to Osuna by rail. The A92 motorway passes just a couple of kilometres from the outskirts of Osuna and the beaches of the Costa del Sol are an hour away.

Set up on a hilltop offering a splendid view of the surrounding landscape of cereal fields and olive groves., Osuna is one of the most monumental and architecturally outstanding cities of the province. Much of its wealth and prosperity arrived during the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries due to the fact that it was the center of a Duchy.

But Osuna is not merely history and beautiful architecture. It is a lively, busy and happy town with all the facilities one would expect including sports centres, a regional hospital, plenty of good restaurants and shops etc.

Game of Thrones fans may recognize the Osuna bull ring that stood in as the Great Pit of Daznak, the largest fighting pit in the city of Meereen, as seen in the fifth season of the series. A local restaurant has even created a special menu with dishes named after the characters.

history

There are vestiges of prehistoric cultures beyond a millennium BC, the best known were discovered by Engel and Paris in 1903. The Bull of Osuna and a series of reliefs speak of an ancient Iberian civilization known as Urso, which gave rise to an extraordinary culture where the best Mediterranean traditions from the East and Greece coexisted.

The irruption of Rome caused a radical change, after the Battle of Munda, Urso becomes the last Pompeian stronghold against the troops of Caesar in the bloody Civil War against Pompeii that pitted the two sides that sought to take over the hegemony of the Republic. Taken after a siege, it was converted into Colonia Genetiva Iulia by César.

The arrival of the Moors at the beginning of the eighth century bought great change. They called the town, Oxona, which is how it remained for four hundred years until conquered in 1239 by the Castilian armies of Fernando III of Castile.

In 1264 it was handed over to the Order of Calatrava, who created the Encomienda de Osuna. Because of its strategic location, it became a crucial point for the defense of the border line with the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.

In the fifteenth century, the Calatrava Knights yielded Osuna to Pedro Téllez de Girón, whose descendants received the title of Dukes of Osuna during the reign of Felipe II.

Osuna reached its moment of greatest splendour in the mid-sixteenth century thanks to Juan Téllez Girón, IV Count of Ureña, born in Osuna around 1494.

He created the largest and most spectacular monumental set of Sevillian Renaissance buildings, with the construction of thirteen churches and convents, a hospital, the University and Collegiate.

GASTRONOMY

A gastronomy rich for its variety, highlighting a dish known as ardoria, a cold tomato, garlic and pepper soup, curiously given its name because of the ardor (heartburn) that the garlic can give you. Locally sourced olive oil is used to elaborate all dishes but what better way to enjoy it than drizzling it over a morning toast. The golden thistle is another important ingredient, used to create a warm and hearty stew known as, guiso de taganinas.

If you have a sweet tooth, Osuna will spoil you, with the nuns from the Monasterio de la Encarnación creating marzipan treats, coconut puffs, egg custard tarts and aniseed biscuits with a dusting of icing sugar.

amenities

Osuna is a relatively large town, home to approximately 17,600 inhabitants and therefore has has everything at hand, not to mention great transport links.

There are a few big name supermarkets, butchers, bakers, banks, services, bars, restaurants and many other little shops. It also has quite enough to stimulate cultural mind, with museums, galleries and other interesting sites.

what to explore...

University of osuna

On October 10, 1548, Pope Paul III authorized the construction of a General Study Facility. The University College of the Inmaculada Concepción de Nuestra Señora appeared in a document from 1820 confirming that the University College was a pontifical institution.

Don Juan Tellez de Girón, IV Count of Ureña wanted to found a College and University following the model of Alcalá de Henares, where students could obtain degrees that had the same validity as those of Bologna, Salamanca and Alcalá de Henares. The building was financed and endowed exclusively by the Count, with fifteen professorships in the University and eight children in the College, grouped around the faculties of Theology, Law, Medicine and Arts.

In 1824, the establishment was permanently closed. After many years without exercising as such, the University College of Osuna opened its doors to students again in 1993 as part of the University of Seville. It currently offers degrees in Finance and Accounting, Labor Relations and Human Resources, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Primary Education, as well as higher degrees in Finance and Accounting, and Labour Relations and Human Resources.

monasterio de la encarnación

The building was completed in 1549 for its primary use as a Hospital and was rehabilitated by the IV Duchess of Osuna in 1626 as a Monastery, now exhibiting an interesting collection of Sacred Art.

The exhibition rooms of the Monastery are distributed around a portico patio with exquisite Sevillian tiles from the seventeenth century.

Another highlight is its greater altarpiece dating to 1724. It contains images such as the Christ of Mercy from the sixteenth century, La Dolorosa by Francisco Meneses, and a magnificent collection of Baby Jesus from the seventeenth to the eighteenth centuries.

Although it is open for visits, it is a cloistered Convent.

Convento de la Concepción

Founded by Blessed Beatriz Silva for the Franciscan Conceptionist Order.

Its singular nave structure is one of the tallest in Osuna, noticeably peeking over the town houses. If you head into the main chapel, observe the spectacular wooden coffered ceiling decorated with tracery motifs.

la colegiata

The Renaissance Collegiate Church came to replace the old Medieval parish and is home to an interesting collection of Baroque paintings. Its impressive main facade, called Puerta del Sol, is decorated with grotesques and medallions.

The Collegiate Church is part of the Museum of Sacred Art which has three exhibition areas; the church itself, the sacristy and the chapel of the sepulcher.

plaza de toros

The bullring was inaugurated on May 13, 1904 . The ring itself measures almost 48m in diameter, one of the widest in the Peninsula. The grandstand can seat 6500 spectators.

It also houses a Bullfighting Museum, dedicated to the history of the Plaza and its bullfights.

The bullring has been the setting of several television commercials, short films, photographic reports and major films, the most important being part of the fifth season of the prestigious American series, Game of Thrones, in 2014. The spectacular fight scene with amazing special effects, including dragons, takes place in episode 9. Many of the locals worked as extras on the 12-day shoot in October 2014. The director, David Nutter, said they were the best group of extras in the series, always in a good mood despite long days and warm temperatures.

In November 2015 the Salon de Hielo y Fuego (Ice and Fire Hall), consisting of two rooms, opened at the Osuna Museum, featuring photos and memorabilia from the Game of Thrones filming, including a number of photographs from the shoot, as well as models and costumes.

The cast's restaurant of choice while staying in Osuna was Casa Curro, which has a special menu of Game of Thrones character-themed montaditos (mini sandwiches).

las canteras

Land of the ancient Urso, it was here where stone for construction work weas extracted long before Roman occupation. Inside it houses a magnificent natural auditorium used for celebrations, concerts and cultural events etc.

This rocky substrate has been used as a stone quarry continuously for at least 2.500 years, although exploitation must have intensified as a result of the important constructive work developed by the Fourth Count of Ureña in the sixteenth century.

Architecture

Beautiful streets, impeccably maintained houses and small palaces for sale for the price of a small townhouse in northern Europe. Osuna really is an architectural gem. A great place to live where the locals have a real sense of pride in their town.

mirador buenavista

One of two viewpoints in the locality, this one in particular gives the viewer an understanding of the geographical and historical reality.

The Universty of Osuna, La Colegiata and the Monasterio de la Encarnación immediately catch your eye, before scanning further across the rest of the town.

festivals

Feria de Mayo

The bicentennial May Fair begins with the traditional and spectacular switch on of lights, which each year delights the audience with a novel and innovative design. Among the many activities and events, the elegant horse riding parade that takes place on Friday is a highlight, a route starting from the emblematic and beautiful San Pedro street, to the fairground. There are also other equestrian shows that take place and the great bullfight, one of the most important in Spain, bringing together many big names from the industry.

The fairground has more than 30 casetas (enclosed marquee tents) that are lined one after the other in rows, including a Municipal caseta where you can enjoy free concerts. Head into any one of the casetas for a glass of sherry accompanied by a plate of jamón (cured ham) whilst enjoying flamenco music and dancing.

Semana Santa

Easter Week in Osuna was declared a National Tourist Interest Festival of Andalusia in 1999 for its historical and artistic value, the town's largest and most significant festival of the year.

The various processions through the streets mixing art, color along with rich scents of incense and orange blossom, makes this an unparalleled event to experience.

Festival Flamenco de Osuna

Every August the Flamenco Festival takes place in the Casa de Cultura. The beautiful and cozy summer auditorium and adjacent streets of the town are guaranteed to be filled with a cheerful party atmosphere.

population

Osuna is a bustling town, yet does not have the feeling of being overcrowded, still very much maintaining the traditional Spanish lifestyle. The warm and friendly attitude and the easy going way of life of the local population has attracted people from outside of Spain to the area.

A popular local hot-spot is Mr Chava Cafeteria, owned by barista Antonio Chavarría "Chava" who personally buys, roasts and grinds a wide selection of coffee beans. Observe on the walls the many references to coffee culture, consumption tips, tasting notes, information about the different processes and types, along with endless data that help turn the place into an authentic coffee classroom.

Once you become a frequent visitor, Mr Chava will remember how you like your coffee and will often have your cup ready as soon as you walk through the door.

climate

Osuna's climate is characterized by mild winters and short autumns and springs, with an annual average temperature of 18ºC. The summer is typically warm like much of Andalusia, ideal for those summer evenings dining out or enjoying drinks on a terrace.

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