Sala Expositiva del Mar y la Almadraba

The SEMA is a complex of 15th-century buildings (built by the Duke of Medina Sidonia between 1540 and 1560) dedicated to the tuna fishing industry.

During the fishing season, tuna were butchered here, salted, and placed in barrels for sale. At the end of the season, the Chanca was transformed into a large warehouse for equipment and other tools used in the tuna fishing operation, such as barges, buoys, anchors, and nets.

It included offices, employee housing, kitchens, stables, haylofts, and granaries. A prominent feature is a large building known as the "Salt Vault," used to store salt, a crucial ingredient for preserving tuna.

Spanning over 7,000 square meters, the Chanca now houses an Interpretation and Documentation Center highlighting the cultural and historical ties between Conil, the sea, and the tuna fishing industry, as well as the José Velarde Municipal Library. Its large central courtyard hosts cultural programs throughout the year.

The Interpretation and Documentation Center comprises two buildings: a former equipment warehouse and a salt storage facility. Here, visitors can find archaeological remains that help to understand the origins of the municipality, models of different fishing methods, and videos explaining traditional fishing techniques using the almadraba net.

This center is built with wonderful ideas and a lot of love ❤️.Read more