Bornos: Historical Heritage, Trails and Nature

History and Architecture

Bornos is home to the Conjunto Histórico de Bornos, a historic ensemble protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the “Conjunto Histórico” category. The Palacio de los Ribera – Castillo del Fontanar combines the remains of the former Fontanar castle with a late Gothic palace built in the 16th century. The historical and tourist interpretation centre of Bornos is located on the upper floor of the Palacio de los Ribera – Castillo del Fontanar. The visitable Castillo-Palacio de los Ribera also preserves sections of the walls and the Torre del Homenaje from its earlier Arab construction phase.

The bell tower of the Iglesia Santo Domingo de Guzmán is 31 metres high and was built in 1792. The church has a triangular Neoclassical façade pediment with four attached columns. The Convento del Corpus Christi was inaugurated as a convent in 1597. Its construction comprises two storeys, an arcaded courtyard lined with semicircular arches, and a structure made of stone and brick. The building also includes a staircase with an ornately carved stone balustrade. During the restoration of the Jardín Renacentista del Castillo Palacio de los Ribera, the central pool, stone stairways, tree-lined paths and an artificial grotto were restored.

Nature

The Cola del embalse de Bornos was designated a Paraje Natural in 1989, a Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves (ZEPA) in 2002 and a Zona Especial de Conservación (ZEC) ES6120002 in 2015. The area is also a nesting and wintering site for numerous protected bird species and is home to a significant heron colony.

Trails

The Vía Verde de Bornos runs along the unfinished Jerez–Almargen railway line and passes through Bornos and Coto de Bornos. It is suitable for hiking and cycling and includes the Puente de los 21 Ojos as a photo spot. The Vía Verde de Bornos begins at the Bornos landing stage, which can be reached from Bornos town centre via Avenida de la Diputación.

The Way of the Cross route begins at Plaza de San Francisco and is an easy trail lasting one to two hours. It follows the old Stations of the Cross route from the Convento de San Bernardino to Calvary Hill. The dam trail leads from the islet to the Bornos dam and passes through tunnels and rocky gorges. The trail through the Sierra offers a view of the Sierra de San Cristóbal from a viewpoint established on the road known as Carretera Vieja.

Other destinations: Chipiona, Castellar De La Frontera, San José Del Valle, Prado Del Rey, Alcalá De Los Gazules, La Barca De La Florida, Algeciras, Jerez De La Frontera.

Water and Cuisine

Windsurfing is the main activity, alongside paddleboarding and kayaking. During the vineyard snail season, numerous snail dishes are prepared in Bornos; many of them are presented every year at the Feria del Caracol.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cadiz.