Parish of Santa María and Santa Bárbara, Écija

Écija is a municipality of Seville but nevertheless, this municipality is closer to the province of Córdoba than to the provincial capital, Seville. The city popularly known as Ciudad del Sol, the City of Towers and the Pan of Andalusia (because of its high temperatures, especially during the summer seasons). It is considered one of the most important Historical Sites in Andalusia.

The tower's origins date back to the 15th century, when it was built on an ancient Arab tower. Due to lightning damage in 1892, it was partially demolished, and the first part of the old Mudejar tower remains today as a bell tower.

The old parish church of Santa María belonged to the Gothic-Mudejar type of church. It seems that it was built by D. Pedro Fernández Gragera, a knight in the service of San Fernando in the reconquest of Écija. According to sources, it was completed in 1262.
The structure was designed with three naves and a polygonal head, later two side naves were added, so its plan was irregular, with a tower, a patio with orange trees and a cemetery. The building was extensively renovated in the 16th and 17th centuries, with the church being demolished and rebuilt in 1758.