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Aracena - Historical City and Spanish Ham
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Aracena is at the heart of a prestigious jamon -producing area, so try to sample some, and, when they're available, the delicious wild asparagus and local snails - rooted out from the roadside and in the fields in spring and summer respectively.
Surrounding Aracena you'll find a scattering of attractive villages, most of them dependent on the jamn industry and its curing factory at Jabugo. Jamn serrano (mountain ham) is a bocadillo standard throughout Spain and some of the best, jamn de bellotas (acorn-fed ham), comes from the Morena, where herds of sleek grey pigs grazing beneath the trees are a constant feature. In October the acorns drop and the pigs, waiting patiently below, gorge themselves, become fat and are promptly whisked off to be slaughtered and then cured in the dry mountain air.
The sierra villages - Jabugo, Aguafra, Almonaster La Real - all make rewarding bases for walks, though all are equally ill-served by public transport (details from the Aracena turismo). The most interesting is Almonaster La Real, whose castle encloses a tiny ninth-century mosque, La Mezquita, with what is said to be the oldest mihrab in Spain. Tacked onto the mosque is the village bullring which sees action once a year in August during the annual fiesta.
The village also has a couple of places to eat and stay : the very hospitable Pensin La Cruz, in the centre with a good restaurant, and Hostal Casa Garca at the entrance to the village, which also has a fine restaurant, with great jamn and ensaladilla . There are some superb paint-splashed waymarked walks northwest of the village, off the Cortegana road; a leaflet detailing these and other walks in the area can be found at the ayuntamiento on Plaza de la Constitucin.
View Larger Map Aracena is at the heart of a prestigious jamon -producing area, so try to sample some, and, when they're a...
Huelva - Spains Gem in Southern Andalucia
The Lighthouse at Rompido
If your looking for authentic Spain in an area of great natural beauty with some of the best beaches in the country as to offer then Huelva is the place for you. My family and I head for this refreshingly tranquil part of Andalusia every possible chance we have during the hot summer months.
Some of the best beaches in Spain can be found in the province of Huelva
The province of Huelva is located in Southern Spain and is situated in the western part of the autonomous region of Andalusia. It borders with Portugal and the provinces of Cadiz, Badajoz and Seville and has 79 municipalities with a population of approximately 600.000 inhabitants.
Huelva lies along the aptly named Costa de la Luz ( the coast of light ) and can proudly boast to being home of the largest concentration of top quality beaches in Spain.
The Rompido Ferry
The province of Huelva really is an area of great diversity, boasting around 3000 sunshine hours a year. About a third of its extension is taken up by the Do�ana nature reserve, one of the most important wetland reserves in Europe with some 365 recorded species of resident and migratory birds, 5 of which are endangered species and include the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian lynx and Egyptian mongoose. The park can be enjoyed by trekking, guided tours, 4 x 4 trips and horse riding walks, there are also museums and other informative posts scattered around the reserve.
The famous El Rocio Village is also located here. This curious pueblo is set by the side of the Do�ana national park and is where hundreds of thousands of Rocieros from all over Spain make their annual dusty pilgrimage to pay homage to the Virgen del Rocio in one of Andalucias biggest festivals, the Romeria del Rocio. Although the Virgen del Rocio has been celebrated for over 800 years in 1758 it was decided that it would go ahead on the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. There are actually two main parts, the festival of Almonte of which the Virgen del Rocio is the patron saint and the pilgrimage which starts several days earlier. The festival is a blend of catholic and local pagan beliefs.The pilgrimage to the village of Rocio is quite a spectacular and traditional affair with hundreds of brotherhoods from surrounding villages and from all over Andalucia taking part.
The picturesque fishing village of Rompido
Huelva City � the capital of the region is quite industrial area housing a petro chemical plant and at first glance the city may not be that inspiring to the visitor however it does house a few gems that are well worth visiting, such as the Barrio Obrero ( the workers neighbourhood ), the Tinto and Tharses wharfes, various historic churches including the main Cathedral, the Odiel wetlands and the provincial Museums housing thousands of Archaeological artefacts.
The province is of course famous for its historic connection to Christopher Columbus. On the 3rg August 1492 the caravels set sale from the old port of Palos de la Frontera making the city famous for playing its part in the discovery of America. Palos houses an open dock with replicas of Columbus�s ships.
Another must place to visit would be the beautiful and picturesque Sierra de Aracena. Sierra signifies mountain range in Spanish although the highest peak is only some 1.059 meters high, making it rather a big hilly area rather than mountainous. However having said that the Sierra really is a hidden gem in southern Andalusia where visitors will see typical white washed villages, spectacular views, chestnut forests in abundance and where some of the finest local home cooking can be found. I would highly recommend a trip to the Gruta de las Maravillas ( Grotto of Marvels ) which has more than 1 km of subterranean passages of pure natural beauty.
One of my personal favourites would have to be Las Minas de Rio Tinto � the Rio Tinto Mines . located in Village of Nieblas The name Rio Tinto ( Red River ) was of course coined from the impressive colour of the water that flows through the mines. When the ferrous ores come into contact with water they turn both land and the river into an incredible myriad of colours , shades of red, yellow, orange, brown and green can all be seen as the river trickles through the area.
The mines are reputedly the oldest in the world and rich in history, reportedly being the fabled mines of King Solomon himself. It was the wealth of the mines that beckoned the Phoenicians and the successive invasions of the Greek, Carthaginians and Romans. However it was inexplicably abandoned by the Romans and left to fall in the memories of time until it was rediscovered in 1556 although was not reopened until 1724. However inefficiency and bad management caused the Spanish government to sell the mines to a British consortium in 1871, which true to the dogged British commercial mentality and work ethic was fully exploited until it became one of the most important sources of Copper and Sulphur in the world.
Some of the best beaches in Spain can be found in the province of HuelvaThe province of Huelva is located in Southern Spain and is situated in the western part of the autonomous region of Andalusia. It borders with Portugal and the provinces of Cadiz, Badajoz and Seville and has 79 municipalities with a population of approximately 600.000 inhabitants.
Huelva lies along the aptly named Costa de la Luz ( the coast of light ) and can proudly boast to being home of the largest concentration of top quality beaches in Spain.
The Rompido FerryThe province of Huelva really is an area of great diversity, boasting around 3000 sunshine hours a year. About a third of its extension is taken up by the Do�ana nature reserve, one of the most important wetland reserves in Europe with some 365 recorded species of resident and migratory birds, 5 of which are endangered species and include the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian lynx and Egyptian mongoose. The park can be enjoyed by trekking, guided tours, 4 x 4 trips and horse riding walks, there are also museums and other informative posts scattered around the reserve.
The famous El Rocio Village is also located here. This curious pueblo is set by the side of the Do�ana national park and is where hundreds of thousands of Rocieros from all over Spain make their annual dusty pilgrimage to pay homage to the Virgen del Rocio in one of Andalucias biggest festivals, the Romeria del Rocio. Although the Virgen del Rocio has been celebrated for over 800 years in 1758 it was decided that it would go ahead on the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. There are actually two main parts, the festival of Almonte of which the Virgen del Rocio is the patron saint and the pilgrimage which starts several days earlier. The festival is a blend of catholic and local pagan beliefs.The pilgrimage to the village of Rocio is quite a spectacular and traditional affair with hundreds of brotherhoods from surrounding villages and from all over Andalucia taking part.
The picturesque fishing village of RompidoHuelva City � the capital of the region is quite industrial area housing a petro chemical plant and at first glance the city may not be that inspiring to the visitor however it does house a few gems that are well worth visiting, such as the Barrio Obrero ( the workers neighbourhood ), the Tinto and Tharses wharfes, various historic churches including the main Cathedral, the Odiel wetlands and the provincial Museums housing thousands of Archaeological artefacts.
The province is of course famous for its historic connection to Christopher Columbus. On the 3rg August 1492 the caravels set sale from the old port of Palos de la Frontera making the city famous for playing its part in the discovery of America. Palos houses an open dock with replicas of Columbus�s ships.
Another must place to visit would be the beautiful and picturesque Sierra de Aracena. Sierra signifies mountain range in Spanish although the highest peak is only some 1.059 meters high, making it rather a big hilly area rather than mountainous. However having said that the Sierra really is a hidden gem in southern Andalusia where visitors will see typical white washed villages, spectacular views, chestnut forests in abundance and where some of the finest local home cooking can be found. I would highly recommend a trip to the Gruta de las Maravillas ( Grotto of Marvels ) which has more than 1 km of subterranean passages of pure natural beauty.
One of my personal favourites would have to be Las Minas de Rio Tinto � the Rio Tinto Mines . located in Village of Nieblas The name Rio Tinto ( Red River ) was of course coined from the impressive colour of the water that flows through the mines. When the ferrous ores come into contact with water they turn both land and the river into an incredible myriad of colours , shades of red, yellow, orange, brown and green can all be seen as the river trickles through the area.
The mines are reputedly the oldest in the world and rich in history, reportedly being the fabled mines of King Solomon himself. It was the wealth of the mines that beckoned the Phoenicians and the successive invasions of the Greek, Carthaginians and Romans. However it was inexplicably abandoned by the Romans and left to fall in the memories of time until it was rediscovered in 1556 although was not reopened until 1724. However inefficiency and bad management caused the Spanish government to sell the mines to a British consortium in 1871, which true to the dogged British commercial mentality and work ethic was fully exploited until it became one of the most important sources of Copper and Sulphur in the world.
The colonials even built a small village called Bella Vista for the employees of the mines which is identical to any perfect little country retreat in Britain with neat lawns gardens, tennis lawns and a social club, it even has its own and Presbyterian Church. It is still well maintained and can be visited to this day.
Gary
The Lighthouse at Rompido If your looking for authentic Spain in an area of great natural beauty with some of the best beaches in the countr...
Hollywood arrives at The Rio Tinto Mines - Huelva
No your not imagining it, that river really is RED.. and can be seen at the incredibly historic open cast mines of Rio Tinto in the province of Huelva. The name Rio Tinto ( Red River ) was of course coined from the impressive colour of the water that flows through the mines and can be seen as far away as 50 kms in the village of Nieblas.
When the ferrous ores come into contact with water they turn both land and the river into an incredible myriad of colours , sades of red, yellow, orange, brown and green can all be seen as the river trickles through the area.
The mines are located in in the heart of Huelva in Southern Andalucia and are reputedly the oldest in the world and rich in history, reportedly being the fabled mines of King Solomon himself. It was the wealth of the mines that beckoned the Phoenicians and the successive invasions of the Greek, Carthaginians and Romans . However it was inexplicably abandoned by the Romans and left to fall in the memories of time until it was rediscovered in 1556 although was not reopened until 1724 . However inefficiency and bad management caused the Spanish government to sell the mines to a British consortium in 1871, which true to the dogged British commercial mentality and work ethic was fully exploited until it became one of the most important sources of Copper and Sulphur in the world.
The colonials even built a small village called Bella Vista for the employees of the mines which is identical to any perfect little country retreat in Britain with neat lawns gardens, tennis lawns and a social club, it even has its own and Presbyterian Church. It is still well maintained and can be visited to this day.
The new Hollywood blockbuster film " Heart of the Earth" is a spectacular production based on actual historical events of the Rio Tinto Mines. Set in 1888 against the backdrop of Huelva, this epic saga of love and power centers on the deep friendship between two women caught up in the first �environmental� protest in history. The film�s stellar cast includes Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace), Sienna Guillory and Joaquim de Almeida.
It is a musty see for not only budding historian or simply anyone who shares a passion or interest for one of a most spectacular and historic sites in Spain.
No your not imagining it, that river really is RED.. and can be seen at the incredibly historic open cast mines of Rio Tinto in the provin...
The Festival of the Romeria del Rocio
Once again its that time of year when hundreds of thousands of Rocieros from all over Spain make their annual dusty pilgrimage to pay homage to the Virgen del Rocio in one of Andalucias biggest festivals, the Romeria del Rocio.
Although the Virgen del Rocio has been celebrated for over 800 years in 1758 it was decided that it would go ahead on the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. There are actually two main parts, the festival of Almonte of which the Virgen del Rocio is the patron saint and the pilgrimage which starts several days earlier. The festival is a blend of catholic and local pagan beliefs.
The pilgrimage to the village of Rocio is quite a spectacular and traditional affair with hundreds of brotherhoods from surrounding villages and from all over Andalucia taking part.
Carts are beautifully and lovingly prepared in bright colours and flowers with the pilgrims dressed in traditional colourful gypsy inspired flamenco dresses and the men in their short cropped jackets ( a la Andalucian style ) and unique wide brimmed bolero hats. Some carts are even pulled along by oxen and horses although mostly these days the sturdy fours by fours are thre modern substitute and ideal for driving over the soft sandy conditions that await. The Rocieros arrive in the area and camp out in the surrounding fields and marsh land alongside the Do�a�a National park.
Although the Romeria is a highly religious festival as you would expect with the Spanish it is also an time of much fun and enjoyment for all the family, and the party stops for no man. Local produce such as black foot ham ( Pata Negra ) white prawns from Sanlucar and many other excellent dishes will be eaten and all will be washed down with some the Finest wines and sherry�s the region has to offer.
The highlight of the festival for many a devotee is when the Virgen del Rocio ( a large silver shrine ) is taken our from the Church in the El Rocio in all her splendour , this is where the religious fanaticism really kicks in with thousands of devotees clamber to touch the Virgen shrine as she passes by, this can go on for several hours with many followers visibly moved by their unique experience. This custom is better understood knowing that the devoted claim her intense powers can cure disease, infertility and mental disorders.
There are no tarmac roads to speak off in El Rocio as the whole village is built on sand, vehicle parking areas have been replaced with fences to tie up the horses.
Once again its that time of year when hundreds of thousands of Rocieros from all over Spain make their annual dusty pilgrimage to pay homage...
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