This project consists of a research work of the historical archives of the Casa Medina Sidonia Foundation regarding the territory that today makes up the Doñana National Park, and the dissemination and dissemination of its results through a publication.

This project consists of a research work of the historical archives of the Casa Medina Sidonia Foundation regarding the territory that today makes up the Doñana National Park, and the dissemination and dissemination of its results through a publication.

This publication, which makes known both the environment where the Doñana National and Natural Park is located and its environmental value, as well as its history, from its origins to the present day, aims to deepen the knowledge of the history of one of the protected natural jewels in Europe: Doñana.

It will focus on the period in which this territory was under the jurisdiction of the Ducal House of Medina Sidonia, that is, from the time when Sancho IV donated to Don Alonso Pérez de Guzmán a territory located west of the mouth of the Guadalquivir River as a reward for his heroic defense of the Plaza de Tarifa, until in 1900 this space was detached from the House by the sale made to Guillermo Garvey.

The contents to be discussed will be the following:

• The transfer of ownership of Doñana.
• Agricultural activity and failed attempts to plant in poorly evolved soils.
• The acorns and pastures of the pastures for the maintenance of livestock. The Duke’s cows and the cattle of the neighboring towns and places.
• Fishing in the pipes and in the wire fence of Torre Carboneros.
• The preparation of salt.
• Hunting activity. Fun for the Duke and Duchess and their guests. Lease of big and small game.
• Forestry: wood, charcoal, reed, bulrush, etc…
• Reforestation with acorns and pine nuts.
• Failed attempts to establish populations.
• Doñana as a place of transit for shepherds, soldiers, merchants, pilgrims, etc.
• Problems derived from the previous uses: forest fires, extermination of “vermin”, loss of forest mass due to the practice of slashing, etc.
• The guards of Doñana, key elements in its conservation.
• Attempts at desiccation.
• Religiosity.