TRAVEL GUIDES DIRECTORY: CADIZ SPAIN VEJER DE LA FRONTERA

The town of Vejer de la Frontera is situated at the top of a green hill, at an elevation of approximately 190 meters above sea level. The current population is estimated to 13,000.

The region of Vejer de la Frontera (Vejer for short) was a strategic location for the Phoenicians and Carthaginians. Vejer possibly was already an established town at this time, roughly around 400 BC. The name "Vejer" likely evolved from the Carthaginian name "Wadi-Baka," from the name of another Carthaginian city called Baka.

In 216 BC, the Romans conquered the Cádiz region, including the Vejer territory. After a short rule by the Romans, the Vandals and Visigoths took over the area, effectively ending the Roman occupation.

The last occupants from this era, the Visigoths, were defeated by the Muslims, and hence the Muslims occupied the area. In fact, much of the present day characteristics of the town were established under Moorish occupation.

After this time, control of Vejer de la Frontera and surrounding regions frequently changed hands, between the Muslims and the Christians. The "de la Frontera" in the town's present name refers to Vejer being the frontier town between the Arab and Christian controlled territories. The last Muslim attack came in 1291. A local named Guzmán el Bueno defended Vejer in this final battle. Guzmán lost his son in subsequent attacks in other locations. In 1293, he became the first mayor of Vejer. Later, the town of Vejer was given to him by the monarch Fernando IV as a reward for his valor in battle.

The following centuries saw numerous conflicts between the locals and the succeeding rulers of the town. The last recorded major conflict took place in 1936, during the Spanish Civil War.

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