Holiday & tourism guide for Aracena market town
From underground caves to a castle and the Sierra de Aracena
The Sierra de Aracena in Andalucia's Huelva province, where local industry centres around olive growing, vineyards and pig farming for world-class hams, has its focal point in a small and very pleasant market town. Aracena town has a relaxed air of satisfaction, which may have something to with there being a grand total of 64 bars and 3 discotheques for a population of just 7,500. It's Andalucia's greenest, most unspoilt area, with some lovely holiday villas, ideal for people who want to relax and go for walks or bike rides off the beaten track. The town is well served by restaurants, with prawns and fish being good choices in addition to local meat and mushrooms. Local gastronomy is big on pork and vegetarians beware: one version of the appetising chestnut stew is made with bacon fat and half a pig’s ear! (Don't worry, we publish an alternative meat-free recipe at the end of this article). But there are also special veggie dishes such as winter gazpacho and mushroom concoctions. Those who struggle with Spanish will find that menus are often printed in English as well. We'll send you detailed Rustical Recommendations for restaurants, day trips and activities for Aracena with your Rustical Travel Booking Confirmation.
Dominating the town from its hilltop, 13th century castle is built on the foundations of a Moorish fortress. Only two towers and walls remain, but they are amply augmented by the castle church dating from the same period, which still stands. The Knights Templar church has gothic elements and a magnificent Mudéjar tower. The Grotto of Marvels (Gruta de las Maravillas) is an unexpected delight and does indeed make for a marvellous visit. The series of limestone caves was discovered, as these things tend to be, by a local shepherd, back in 1886. The size and extent of the subterranean chambers with their clear pools and superb stalagmite and stalactite formations can be fully appreciated during a 1,200-metre route along walkways and galleries. A very beautiful and special opportunity to see “underground Aracena.” A geological and mining museum annexed to the Grotto is also open to visitors, as is the nearby Ham Museum (Museo del Jamón), dedicated to the tradition of farming Aracena’s most valued denizen, the black-foot pig:
 They are left to roam oak forests and feed on acorns so as to produce the prized pata negra ham, a delicacy exported all over the world. Other cultural highlights are the several churches, hermitage and convent and an open-air sculpture museum, with 34 pieces by 18 artists. A small municipal tourist office is open to visitors. See: Villas in Aracena See all: Villas in Andalucia Aracena excursions The Sierra de Aracena is an unspoilt, wooded, mountain area with quiet roads linking small white Andalusian villages. Chief among these are little Jabugo (famed not for its size but for its hams), Alájar, Fuenteheridos, Linares, Los Marines, Almonaster la Real with its ancient mosque and sweet Galaroza in the Murtiga Valley. Walking is great here and so is mountain biking: if you’re interested, we can send you a good cycling route along with your holiday documents that takes in some of the above villages, and if you need walking routes in advance, just let us know. A chestnut wood extends between Aracena and Alájar, but it is cork oak trees that forest great areas of the Natural Park, providing a home to a host of small mammals, especially predators such as weasels and badgers, also lynx and otter. Birds of prey abound, with dispersed young Imperial Eagles sometimes spotted, displaced from the Doñana wetlands National Park down by the coast. It is a green and leafy Park with many streams and rivulets, extending over 186,000 hectares with a moderate climate, thanks to a relatively low altitude ranging between 350 and 950 metres. The Atlantic coast is a good hour-and-a-half drive but the beaches are splendid and the ocean is great for swims. Holiday villas in the Aracena area tend to be in natural beauty spots, making the most of a marvellous and largely undiscovered region of western Andalucia. See all: Villas in Andalucia Find out more Getting here By plane to Sevilla and hire car (1 hr 15 mins from the airport). By plane to Jerez, or Faro (Portugal), and hire car (2 hrs 30 mins from the airport). By plane to Malaga and hire car (a considerable 3 hrs 30 mins from the airport). Aracena fiestas La Candelaria 2nd February, last year’s new born babies are presented to the Virgin. San Blas 3rd February Carnaval (moveable feast) Among other celebrations, includes the “burying of the onion.” Easter Week Procession of the Brotherhood of the True Cross, dating back to the 16th century. Judas’ Day Holy Sunday of Easter Week May Fair Regional cattle fair with competitions, held on the third weekend in May. Divine Shepherdess Fair held on June 7th Aracena chestnut soup recipe (suitable for vegetarians) INGREDIENTS • 250 g. sugar • 1 litre milk • ½ wine glass of anis liqueur • 250 g. de chestnuts (preferably smoke-dried) • 1 cinnamon stick • 10 g. aniseed • Rind of 1 lemon • 1 slice fried bread COOKING INSTRUCTIONS The chestnuts should be left to soak the day before. Heat 1 litre of milk and add chestnuts. Add the cinnamon and lemon rind. Grind the aniseeds and add also. When it starts to boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Fry the slice of bread, mash it up with the anis liqueur and add to the milk. Add sugar and stir continuously. Serve hot with fresh crusty bread. Enjoy! |
| Next > |
|---|