Almonaster la Real
In the Sierra de Huelva, at the edges of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park, lies Almonaster, a small town with just over 600 inhabitants. The town itself, along with its 14 associated hamlets scattered over an extensive municipality measuring 320 km2, are a must-see for anyone wishing to discover a unique HERITAGE and a landscape rich in vegetation, full of splendour and colour.
Its popular architecture is of great interest, as are its cobbled streets and enchanting nooks and crannies - all combining to form a historical, cultural and monumental legacy that make the village well deserving of its categorisation as a Historic-Artistic Site in 1982.
The first vestiges of a settlement here date back to the Bronze Age, although the most abundant correspond to Roman times. From the later Visigothic era, some very valuable discoveries have been made (an iconostasis, a cornicing, remains of an altar, lintel...) From the caliphate period we have the Mosque, the town's most emblematic symbol, and its surrounding walls. Last but not least, we find a unique Portuguese Manueline style façade in the area next to the Gothic-Mudejar Church of San Martín, built after the Christian reconquest.
This Moorish past and heritage are marked with the annual celebration of the Days of Islamic Culture in the month of October. The village's rich folkloric legacy - the main hallmark of the municipality in general - is represented by the celebration of Las Cruces de Mayo, of particular ethnological interest, and the Pilgrimage of Santa Eulalia (one of the oldest in Spain according to documents from 1606).
Accommodation in the area mainly comprises apartments and houses or rural lodgings, offering an unforgettable experience in a natural environment of great ecological value, while lovers of good food will delight in tasting dishes deriving from high-quality Iberian pork - such as acorn-fed Iberian ham - as well as salads of local produce, stews, traditional soups and homemade desserts.
A rich cultural heritage and uniquely beautiful landscape combined with monuments of great historical-artistic value, popular architecture, whitewashed houses, stately buildings, cobbled roads, fountains, wash-houses and footpaths…. experiences that will undoubtedly leave you planning a return visit.
Practical information
Audio guíaAudio guide
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First of all, I would like to say that it gives me and the corporation I preside over great pleasure to be able to say that our town is now part of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain association.
I invite you to come and get to know our village. Almonaster la Real is a small village of less than 2000 inhabitants in the Sierra de Huelva, possessing great cultural, architectural, landscape and ethnological riches. The immense potential of our heritage coupled with a clear cultural policy over the years and an immense respect for our traditions have made it possible for us to be where we are today.
Heir to the Andalusian tradition, Almonaster has a rural mosque dating from the ninth century, which is one of the best preserved on the peninsula and represents a symbol of identity for our inhabitants. Its cobbled streets, whitewashed facades and majestic church of San Martín with its Manuelina façade, make Almonaster la Real a truly beautiful hill town.
Moreover, we have great ethnological wealth, reflected in our May crosses and the Santa Eulalia pilgrimage. In both these local festivals, we proudly show off our own style of fandangos.
Being one of the most beautiful villages in Spain is a great honour, but also a great responsibility, which both the council and individual citizens themselves intend to live up to every day as our objectives fully coincide with those of the association.
We look forward to your visit very soon.
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