Cumbres de San Bartolomé: Viewpoints, Culture and Festivals

Nature and Viewpoints

Cumbres de San Bartolomé is part of the Sierra de Aracena y los Picos de Aroche Natural Park. An approximately 2-kilometre-long, easy hiking trail leads from Cumbres de San Bartolomé to the El Cabezuelo Viewpoint and passes through a forest of holm oaks, cork oaks and olive trees.

The El Cabezuelo Viewpoint overlooks the Múrtigas River valley and the surrounding landscapes of the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche. The Piedra Utrera Viewpoint is located on the road between Cumbres de San Bartolomé and Cumbres de Enmedio and offers views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. This viewpoint can be reached on foot or by car; there is a designated car park and information boards nearby.

The Monturrio Viewpoint offers views of the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park and the surrounding mountain landscape. The viewpoint is located at an ancient Roman settlement, where remains of walls, pottery and coins have been preserved. The three viewpoints thus combine views of the river valley, valleys and mountain landscape with different landscape features. The third stage of the GR-48 runs from Cumbres de San Bartolomé via Cumbres de Enmedio to Cumbres Mayores.

Culture

The Iglesia de San Bartolomé has a single-nave basilica floor plan, an octagonal apse and three stone portals in the Late Gothic style. The Castillo-Fortaleza has an irregular rectangular floor plan, several towers and a portal with a pointed arch. It was built towards the end of the 13th century as part of the defence system of the Kingdom of Seville.

The Castillo-Fortaleza is listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC). The restored building is used for public events and as a bullring. The zahurdas are highlighted within the municipality as features of ethnographic heritage.

Cumbres de San Bartolomé commemorates 2 May with memorial events associated with the discovery of the only original document sent in 1808 by the mayor of Móstoles to the other Spanish municipalities, calling for an uprising against the French invasion; this document was found in 1886.

Festivals

The Romería Virgen de la Aliseda takes place in Cumbres de San Bartolomé on the third Sunday in May; the procession is accompanied by tambourine players and singing. The Fiestas in honour of the Virgen de la Aliseda take place from 30 August to 8 September and include a procession, cultural events and popular festivities.

The Fiestas de San Bartolomé Apóstol take place around 24 August and combine religious, sporting and bullfighting events.

Other Places

Other places include Linares De La Sierra, Aroche, Cartaya, Santa Ana La Real, Villablanca, Jabuguillo, Minas De Riotinto and Isla Cristina.

To the main travel overview: Huelva.