Marco Topo in Huelva

Discover Huelva by playing

One of the first things you notice about the Marco Topo game in Huelva is our traveller’s appearance: he is dressed like a wealthy English gentleman from the 19th century. This is a clear reference to Huelva’s British heritage, which became especially important after the ancient Riotinto mines were sold to the British company Rio Tinto Company Limited. Exploitation of the mines brought major economic prosperity and radically changed Huelva’s society and appearance. Several game stops focus on this important historical episode, including the Rio Tinto Company pier, an outstanding example of Huelva’s industrial heritage; the Reina Victoria district, built for company workers; Casa Colón, once one of Europe’s most luxurious hotels; and several mansions belonging to members of Huelva’s bourgeoisie enriched by mining. The Marco Topo adventure in Huelva also highlights the antiquity of the settlement. Huelva was an entry point to the Iberian Peninsula for Greek, Phoenician and Roman civilisations, which already knew about and exploited the area’s mineral wealth. Some researchers have even proposed that Huelva may be one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the Iberian Peninsula. Another important part of Huelva’s heritage is its connection with the voyages to the Americas. The game stops in Plaza de las Monjas, where a statue of Christopher Columbus recalls the local connections with the caravel La Niña on Columbus’s first voyage. La Pinta, La Niña and Santa María also set sail from the nearby port of Palos. Huelva has a wealth of heritage and fascinating stories to discover, and we hope you enjoy them as a family with this interactive adventure.