Sierra de Aracena
In the western part of Sierra Morena and near the
Portuguese border, there is the Natural Park Sierra de Aracena
y Picos de Aroche. Celts, Arabs, Portuguese and the Knights Templar,
soldier monks of an esoteric order, dominated the region and appreciated
its soft climate during the summer and for hunting. Today the
region is famous for the production of " Iberian pork ",
the finest cured jamon Jabugo.
A shorter route takes the traveller west of the Sierra Morena
mountains and to the thickly wooded Natural Park of Sierra de
Aracena y Picos de Aroche. Here is the heart of production of
the famous Jabugo. Castles, churches, hermitages and even a mosque
are witnesses of the religious tradition of this region and its
people. In Aracena there is the "Cave of Marvel", a
stalactite cave and in Minas de Riotinto a copper-ore mine.
Itinerary
From Seville on Highways N 630 and N 433 to the Natural Park Sierra
de Aracena. The route continues on the N 455 towards Valverde
del Camino, with an excursion to Minas de Riotinto and ends in
the capital of the province, Huelva.
Distance
approx. 300 kilometers/185 miles
Seville (Miles 0, 710,000 Inhabitants)
The capital of Andalusia with its famous Cathedral and the Fortress
(Alcázar) in the historic part of the city.
Higueras de la Sierra (Miles 47,
1,310 Inhabitants)
Picturesque village, famous for the cavalcade of the Three Kings
of Orient (January 5).
Aracena (Miles 53, 6,900 Inhabitants)
Center of the region. Ruins of a former fortress; churches of
Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor and Nuestra Señora
de la Asunción on the Plaza Alta. Principal attraction:
the Cave of Marvels with stalactites and stalacmites.
Funteheridos (Miles 58, 690 Inhabitants)
Picturesque mountain village with the church Espíritu Santo.
Alájar (Miles 62, 770 Inhabitants)
village of Arab origin, placed in a charming landscape. Baroque
church of San Marcos. Good views from the Peña de Arias
Montano, refuge of the humanist philosopher A. Montano. Closely:
Sanctuary Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles.
Santa Ana la Real (Miles 67, 500 Inhabitants)
Small population with narrow streets, the hermitage of San Bartolomé
and - in the suburbs - the cataract of "El Chorro".
Almonaster la Real (Miles 72, 1,900
Inhabitants)
Also of Arabic origin with the remains of a mosque inside the
ruins of the castle. Parochial Gothic church St Martin.
Cortegana (Miles 76, 5,000 Inhabitants)
Center of the regional handicraft. Castle of the 13th century
and churches Salvador and San Sebastian.
Aroche (Miles 84, 3,400 Inhabitants)
Former Roman stronghold. Arabic castle with bullring and archaeological
museum. Many good preserved noble houses (mansions), church Nuestra
Señora de la Asunción.
Jabugo (Miles 99, 2,500 Inhabitants)
Small village, today the most famous village of the region for
its production of the Iberian pork (" Pata Negra").
It is possible to visit Sanchez Romero's cured ham factory.
Church San Miguel Archangel
Castaño del Robledo (Miles 103, 190 Inhabitants)
Good starting point for hikers.
Minas de Riotinto (Miles 132, 4,600
Inhabitants)
Copper-mimig town. It is possible to visit the former mine and
a museum. Roman necropolis de la Dehesa; Quarter Bella Vista in
Victorian style.
Nerva (Miles 135, 6,100 Inhabitants)
Birth place of the painter Vázquez Díaz. Local museum
in the town hall.
Zalamea la Real (Miles 141, 3,500
Inhabitants)
Dólmenes de El Pozuelo (3.000 b.C.)
"Cultura dolménica" Interpretation Centre. Church
Nuestra señora de la Asunción
Valverde del Camino (Miles 155,
12,500 Inhabitants)
Small town famous for its leatherware (boots, shoes). Located
on the principal highway towards:
Huelva (Miles 186, 145,000
Inhabitants)
The capital of the province, situated on the mouth of the river
Odiel. Columbus started his journey to the New World in the nearby
village Palos de la Frontera (8 Miles).
Andalucia routes