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En la antigüedad fue uno de los principales enclaves del Bajo Guadalquivir. Desde su posición estratégica la ciudad controla las principales vías de comunicación de la zona y los tres paisajes, los Alcores, la Vega y las Terrazas, han constituido desde antiguo sus fuentes de recursos.

Desde hace más de medio millón de años, grupos humanos se asientan en las proximidades de Carmona. Pero será durante la Edad del Cobre cuando los habitantes ocupan las zonas mas altas de la meseta y su periferia con cabañas circulares excavadas en la roca natural. Con los comienzos de la Edad del Bronce, allá por el 1800 a.C. se produce una concentración de la población.

Será la Carmona tartésica, un milenio a.C., una de las etapas mas florecientes de la historia de nuestra ciudad. La llegada de Orientales, hacia el siglo VIII a. C. provocará profundas transformaciones en la ciudad indígena. Se piensa que en Carmona se había desarrollado un núcleo de población estable en el actual barrio de San Blas. Muestra de la complejidad cultural alcanzada por sus habitantes es el Vaso de los Grifos del conjunto de piezas arqueológicas de Saltillo.

La ciudad debió convertirse en un importante enclave cartaginés, como lo demuestra el complejo defensivo de la Puerta de Sevilla. Tan impresionantes son sus defensas que al decir de César era la ciudad mejor defendida de toda la Bética.

Roma adaptará la vieja ciudad a los nuevos conceptos urbanísticos. Se trasladó su centro a las inmediaciones de la Plaza de Arriba, se construyó la Puerta de Moron, la de la Sedía y la de Córdoba, y transformó la Puerta de Sevilla. A un lado de la Vía Augusta, se sitúa la necrópolis con las tumbas del Elefante y Servilia; a otro, el anfiteatro.

Durante la Edad Media, Qarmuna sigue el ritmo de la historia de AI-Andalus. Las cuatro puertas romanas se mantienen en uso. Hacia el siglo XI se construye la mezquita aljama, de la que se conserva el patio de los naranjos y parte del alminar en la Prioral de Santa Maria.

Durante el reinado de Pedro I se construyó el Alcázar de Arriba y se restauraron los dos existentes. Carmona adquiere muchos de los rasgos de su fisonomía actual.

En época moderna el arrabal histórico se expande, se edifican los conventos, los palacios y el resto de los edificios de arquitectura civil.

A las puertas del siglo XXI esta ciudad entiende sus edificios, sus costumbres, sus monumentos y su casco histórico como un legado singular sin posibilidad de repetición y recurso para el turismo patrimonial.

Both these versions, written and translated by native speakers, are intended to read in correct Spanish and English with appropriate registers.

CARMONA - STAR OF EUROPE

Carmona has the peculiarity of synthesizing in its buildings the history of a territory, the history of Andalusia. In ancient times, it was one of the main enclaves of the Lower Guadalquivir area. From its strategic position the town controls the principal communication routes in the area and its three prominent geographical features -the Alcores, the Vega and the Terrazas- which together have constituted the origin of its resources since ancient times.

For over half a million years, people have lived in the vicinity of Carmona. But it was during the Copper Age when the inhabitants began to occupy the higher areas of the plateau and its periphery with circular cabins dug out of the rock. With the start of the Bronze Age around 1800 B.C., a concentration of the population occurred.

A thousand years before the birth of Christ, with the onset of the Tartessan period, Carmona witnessed one of the most flourishing periods in its history. The arrival of migrants from the east at the start of the eight century B.C. provoked profound changes in the town. It is thought that by this period a stable population nucleus had developed in Carmona in what is now the San Blas neighbourhood. An example of the cultural complexity reached by its inhabitants at this time is the Vaso de los Grifos which forms part of the archaeological pieces of Saltillo.

The town must have become an important Carthaginian enclave as is demonstrated by the defensive complex formed by the Gate of Seville. The defensive system was so impressive that Caesar declared that Carmona was the best defended town in the whole of the Bética (Andalusian) region.

Rome adapted the old town to its new urban concepts. The centre of urban activity was transferred to the area around the Plaza de Arriba (now the San Fernando square, the town's main square the Gates of Moron, Sedía and Córdoba were built and the Gate of Seville was transformed. At one side of the Augustus Way is the necropolis, with the Elephant and Servilia tombs, was built while on the other the amphitheatre was located.

During the Middle Ages, Qarmuna followed the rhythm of the history of Al-Andalus. The four Roman gates were kept in use. Around the 11th century, the aljama mosque was constructed, of which the Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of the Orange trees) and part of the minaret are still conserved in the Santa Marta church.

During the reign of Pedro I the Alcázar de Arriba (fortress) was built and the existing two forts were restored. Carmona acquired many of the features of its present physiognomy.

In the modern period, the historical quarter expanded and various convents, palaces and the remaining civic buildings were constructed.

On the eve of the 21st century the people of Carmona understand that the town's buildings, customs, monuments and historical old quarter are a remarkable legacy, one that is impossible to repeat, and one which is a valuable resource, attracting tourists interested in its rich history and heritage.