In the past, olive growing and the production of olive oil were the area’s main economic activities.
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To the west of the city is an area known as El Aljarafe. For its proximity to Seville and its milder climate - resulting from the fact that El Aljarafe is on a raised area which is higher than Seville - many Sevillians choose to live or have a second home there. In the past, olive growing and the production of olive oil were the area's main economic activities. For this reason, the Aljarafe is still today dotted with beautiful old haciendas or country estates such as those of Benazuza (from the 16th century), in Sanlúcar la Mayor, Torrequemada (Bollullos), and Torrijos (Valencina), the last two dating from the 18th century. The villages in the Aljarafe area have well-preserved monumental churches, and convents, such as that of Loreto in Espartinas, shrines, such as that of Cuatrovitas in Bollullos, and palaces, such as that of Hernán Cortés in Castilleja or the Duccal Palace in Olivares. |