Send Gift Baskets to El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain

According to the Odyssey of Homer, a Greek official named Menestheus escaped with his troops through the Straits of Gibraltar and reached the Guadalete River after the Trojan War. Here they established Menestheus’s port, or Menesthei Portus (Greek: ), a port named for the oracle of Menestheus (Greek: ) to whom Gade’s residents also sacrificed.

Southern Spain was conquered by Arabs (Moors) from the North of Africa in 711. Because of Phoenician and Roman salt industries, the place was renamed Alicante or Alcanatif, which means Port of Salt.

The city was renamed Santa Mara del Puerto by Alfonso X of Castile in 1260 after the Moors conquered it. Under his leadership, land distribution was organized, and a charter was granted under the Crown of Castile. After receiving a royal charter, the city was permitted to use the title “El” before its actual name. It is a distinguishing property, despite Madrid being the capital of Spain. Alfonso sings that he was miraculously cured of swollen legs after visiting his Santa Maria do Porto church in Cantigas de Santa Maria CSM 367.

The first expedition of Christopher Columbus to the Americas started from El Puerto de Santa María. The world map he drew (the first to include the coast of the New World) was marked by Juan de la Cosa in El Puerto in 1500.

When Columbus visited El Puerto in 1480, he was encouraged to continue his journey. During his stay, he also met Juan de la Cosa, who issued the world’s first map in 1500.

The Port of El Puerto housed several wealthy porters and merchants who dealt with Spain’s American trade.

It served as the winter port for the royal galleys in the 16th and 17th centuries.

During the Peninsular War, the city served as the General Headquarters for the French Army under Joseph Bonaparte (1801–1812).

There are many museums and monuments in the town, which is steeped in history. Furthermore, Seville and Cadiz, both historical cities, are within easy reach.