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Guided tour of Arcos de la Frontera

Magic Circle

Where you are standing now

Go down the first flight of steps, and in the pavement in front of the church you'll find the 15th century 'magic circle' - 12 red and 12 white stones. The white ones have different constellations marked on them. When parents brought a child to the church for baptism, they would employ an exorcist to stand inside the protective circle and cleanse the baby of any evil spirits. This was also a holy place in Muslim times - the church is indeed built on the site of a former mosque. Local people do not revere the circle any more but Islamic Sufis still come here as pilgrims.

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All the Tour stages:

1. Cabildo Square	11. Abasto Market
2. St. Mary's Church Tower	12. Mask
3. Castle	13. Coat of Arms
4. Moorish Stone	14. Chapel of Mercy
5. Magic Circle	15. Palace Courtyard
6. Flying Buttresses	16. Cuna Street
7. Convent of the Incarnation	17. St. Peter's Church
8. Torresoto Chapel	18. 'Jardín Andalusí'
9. These Walls Have Ears!	19. Sevillano Wall Tile
10. Working Convent	20. Abades Viewpoint

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