Discover Benalup Casas Viejas

The Tajo de las Figuras rock shelter contains more than 500 schematic depictions of deer, birds, and anthropomorphic figures. Part of Benalup-Casas Viejas lies within Los Alcornocales Natural Park.

Culture

The Cádiz Prehistory Interpretation Centre is housed in a purpose-built building. Its exhibition rooms are spread across three floors; the centre also includes a courtyard and an activity room.

In eleven rooms, the interpretation centre presents the prehistory of Cádiz Province. The content includes the customs, rituals, and ways of life of the time, as well as their development over the course of the different periods.

The Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Socorro is an eclectic church. Its appearance is shaped by medieval, Romanesque, and Mudéjar influences; elevated arches and brickwork define its architecture.

The Romería de Nuestra Señora del Socorro takes place every first Sunday in May at the Las Lagunetas hermitage. The pilgrimage is followed by Mass.

The various historical testimonies therefore range from the schematic depictions at the rock shelter and the prehistory presented at the interpretation centre to the architectural features of the church. The pilgrimage at the Las Lagunetas hermitage, with its fixed date and the Mass that follows, is also one of the locally designated cultural sites.

Nature

The El Celemín recreation area, managed by the municipality of Benalup-Casas Viejas, lies within Los Alcornocales Natural Park, approximately 9 km southwest of the centre of Benalup-Casas Viejas.

The area around Benalup-Casas Viejas in Los Alcornocales Natural Park offers numerous routes, excursions, and hiking trails. Several observation posts in the natural park make it possible to observe numerous bird species crossing the Strait during migration periods.

The La Gargantilla route passes through an extensive Mediterranean forest to the 361-metre-high summit of the Sierra Momia. From there, there are panoramic views of Benalup-Casas Viejas, the Celemín and Barbate reservoirs, and Medina.

At the top, you come across caves with Neolithic paintings and anthropomorphic tombs.

More destinations in Andalusia: Arcos De La Frontera, Ubrique, Poblado Sancti Petri, Villaluenga Del Rosario, Los Barrios, Jimena De La Frontera, La Zarzuela, Vejer De La Frontera.

Trails

The two hiking trails have different lengths: the Tajo de las Figuras route is just over 600 metres long, while the trail along the Colada de Benalup livestock track is just under 2 kilometres long.

The Tajo de las Figuras route starts at the El Celemín recreation area and follows a slightly elevated trail to the rock shelter.

The second hiking trail connects the town centre with Benalup Castle and the Torre de la Morita via the Colada de Benalup livestock track.

The route covering the events of Casas Viejas includes more than ten points of interest and ends at the site of the present-day Espacio Conmemorativo Casas Viejas 1933. It is a guided tour through the central streets and to historically significant sites.

To the main travel overview: Cadiz.