Aracena – Fortress, Cave and Hiking Trails
File:Precambrian marbles at Cerro del Castillo in Aracena, Spain-002.jpg
Photo: PePeEfe via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Culture and History
The urban fabric of Aracena is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC). Aracena is characterised by traditional limestone paving in its townscape. The townscape also includes squares and manor houses. Numerous fountains and public washhouses complete the town’s architectural features.
The Castillo Fortaleza was built in the mid-13th century. Archaeological work at the Castillo Fortaleza has documented Islamic houses. These houses already existed before the construction of the castle. The Castillo Fortaleza can be reached via Calle Virgen del Mayor Dolor. Footpaths also lead from the Gruta de las Maravillas to the fortress.
The Museo del Jamón y del Cerdo Ibérico serves as an interpretation centre for the Iberian pig. Its content is presented in a total of seven exhibition rooms. It explains the rearing of Iberian pigs and their life in the dehesa. The diet of Iberian pigs is also among the topics presented. Traditional and industrial slaughter are also explained. The maturing and storage of the products in the cellar are explained as well.
Aracena also has the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo al Aire Libre “AndalucĂa”. It is an open-air sculpture museum established in the streets of the town.
Other Places
Other places you can discover here include Valdezufre and Castañuelo.
Underground Landscape
The Gruta de las Maravillas was opened to the public in 1914. After opening, it was one of the first tourist caves in Spain. The Gruta de las Maravillas has a total of 2,130 metres of galleries. Of these galleries, 1,200 metres can be visited. Extensive underground lakes are part of the cave. It also contains numerous and diverse formations.
Festivals and Local Tradition
The tradition of the Rehiletes takes place every year in Aracena on 7 December. Fires illuminate the town’s individual neighbourhoods.
Activities at the Feria del JamĂłn include demonstrations of ham carving. The traditional butchering of the pig is also part of the event. The Feria includes tastings of home-slaughtered products. Show cookings are also on the programme.
Nature and Trails
The selected hiking trails pass through different landscapes: orchards, dehesa, meadows, chestnut groves, and riverside areas. On the slopes of Cerro del Castillo, these hiking trails offer opportunities for geological observation. There is also a botanical educational trail there. The trails offer views of the landscape. Four selected hiking trails each begin and end in the centre of Aracena. One hiking trail described there can be completed on foot, on horseback, or by mountain bike.
For the higher-level travel overview: Huelva.
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