El Cerro de Andévalo: Pilgrimage, Culture and Trails

The Romería de San Benito Abad takes place every year, specifically on the first weekend of May or, more precisely, on the first Sunday in May. It is considered the oldest pilgrimage in the province of Huelva.

During the Romería, the Lanzaores dance at the sanctuary to the sound of tambourines and bagpipes. The Danza de las lanzas takes place during the Albricias in the morning at the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Gracia and in the Plaza de España. During the pilgrimage, it can be seen on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the Ermita de San Benito Abad and in its surroundings. During the Dulce, it belongs on the Plaza de España and the Plaza del Cristo on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Danza de las lanzas comprises three variants: Misa, Procesión and El Poleo. El Poleo refers to a performance in which mixed-gender pairs perform together with the Jagumeras.

Culture

The Iglesia de Santa María de Gracia in El Cerro de Andévalo is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. Its architecture combines Mannerist forms from the second half of the 16th century with Baroque architecture from the second half of the 18th century.

El Cerquillo is a settlement dating from the 5th and 4th centuries BC. Celtic and Turdetanian cultures interacted with one another in this settlement.

The Museo Etnográfico de El Cerro de Andévalo is open from Thursday to Sunday from 09:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00. The opening hours are divided into two time slots: the morning period is followed by another period in the evening. The museum opened in June 2003. Its opening included an exhibition of old tiles from El Cerro de Andévalo.

Trails

The Camino de El Cerro de Andévalo a San Benito is 17.3 kilometres long. Its difficulty ranges from moderate to maximum. The walking time is four hours.

The Camino has been used since 1667 to reach the Ermita de San Benito. San Benito is the patron saint of the Villa of El Cerro. The pilgrimage trail combines the specified distance and walking time with a history of use dating back to 1667 in the history of the town.

Cuisine

Local culinary traditions include sheep's cheese from the Andévalo and the fresh cheese quesá. The sheep's cheese comes from the Andévalo, while quesá is a fresh cheese among the specialties mentioned.

The Verbena de San Bartolomé is celebrated at the end of August in El Cerro de Andévalo in honour of Saint Bartholomew.

A structure dating from the 18th century once housed an oil mill. Next to it was a hermitage dedicated to the Virgen de Andévalo.

Other places in Andalusia include Campofrío, La Nava, Linares De La Sierra, Zufre, Puerto Moral, Moguer, Almonte and Fuenteheridos.

For the higher-level travel overview: Huelva.