El Altico between the Sierra Morena and Colonial History

A Place Steeped in History at the Foot of the Sierra Morena

El Altico is located at the foot of the Sierra Morena and was built on a hill from which the surrounding area could be surveyed. This elevated location is directly connected to the history of the site: El Altico served as a watchpost on the municipal boundary, to monitor incursions by neighboring peoples into the lands of the new settlers. Its elevated position was therefore not merely a structural feature, but was connected with controlling the border area and the lands of the new settlers. The combination of its hilltop location and its role as a watchpost defines the historic character of El Altico.

Colonial History in Guarromán

Aldea del Altico was one of the hamlets founded in Guarromán as part of the Nuevas Poblaciones. In Guarromán, the First Hiking Route of the Colonists combines hiking with the history of the Nuevas Poblaciones in the Sierra Morena. In this way, the history of a colonial settlement and the landscape of the Sierra Morena meet in the same place.

Dehesa, Slopes and the Río Rumblar Valley

The area around Aldea de El Altico contains grazed holm-oak groves of the dehesa. These grazed holm-oak groves show the dehesa as a landscape of pastureland and holm oaks; both elements are directly interconnected around Aldea de El Altico. This landscape is one of the defining features of inland Andalusia: open spaces and the holm oaks typical of the dehesa shape the view as much as the slopes of the Sierra Morena. From El Altico, visitors can see the steepest slopes of the Sierra Morena. The hilltop location makes different viewing directions possible.

The valley of the Río Rumblar can also be seen from El Altico. The valley formed by the Río Rumblar is also part of a larger river system, as the Río Rumblar is a tributary of the Guadalquivir. The reservoir that bears the same name as the Río Rumblar is also visible from El Altico. Mountain landscape, valley and water features define the visible surroundings of El Altico.

Connections and Tours from El Altico

The JA-5101 road provides a road connection from the A-4 near Guarromán to El Altico. For active exploration, a 52 km cycling tour from El Altico to Arquillos is also listed. The 52 kilometers define a clearly outlined route; for day planning, its length remains the specific reference point. The fixed route length gives cyclists a concrete framework for planning their stages. The First Hiking Route of the Colonists combines hiking with the history of the Nuevas Poblaciones in the Sierra Morena. Hiking and cycling thus provide independent ways of exploring the landscape of Guarromán alongside the history of the site.

A Renovated Historic Accommodation

Vivienda Rural Los Colonos Casa María Fiscer is located in El Altico, a district of the municipality of Guarromán. Vivienda Rural Los Colonos Casa María Fiscer has been renovated and retains the colony’s original stone-and-wood construction from that period.

To the main travel overview: Guarromán.