Alájar between Peña, Caves and Churches

The historic complex of Alájar comprises the municipality’s main settlement and the Peña de Arias Montano. The Santuario de la Reina de los Ángeles stands on the Peña de Arias Montano; its original temple was established as a small hermitage in the 14th or 15th century. The temple was later enlarged by Benito Arias Montano.

Nature

Alájar is one of the municipalities in the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park in the province of Huelva. The Peña de Arias Montano y Cuevas de Alájar consists of a large limestone formation that culminates at an altitude of 746 m above the valley of the town of Alájar, forming a kind of plateau. Inside it, water has formed caves with stalactites, stalagmites and lakes. In the wider regional surroundings of Alájar lies the Sierra del Cascajal, which is considered a mountain range.

Culture

The parish church Iglesia de San Marcos dates from the late 16th century and was affected by the Lisbon earthquake. It was rebuilt at the end of the 18th century. The Ermita de la Santísima Trinidad, built in 1749, stands in El Calabacino.

The Centro de Interpretación Benito Arias Montano covers the life and work of the 16th-century humanist Benito Arias Montano. It is located in the area containing the commercial premises of the Peña de Arias Montano y Cuevas de Alájar. The small Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Salud, built in 1843, stands in Los Madroñeros.

The cultural sites mentioned are therefore distributed across different points of reference: the sanctuary and the interpretation centre belong to the Peña area, while the hermitage in El Calabacino and the small church in Los Madroñeros are each located in their respective hamlets.

Hiking and Festivals

The Romería de la Reina de los Ángeles takes place every year on 8 September at the Peña de Arias Montano. In 1970, it was recognised as a festival of National Tourist Interest. The Los Molinos hiking trail runs for long stretches alongside the Rivera de Alájar and passes the remains of former grain mills.

The circular Sendero Alájar, la Peña y sus aldeas hiking trail begins and ends in Alájar. Its route climbs up to the Peña de Arias Montano y Cuevas de Alájar.

The two trails differ in their described routes: Los Molinos follows the Rivera de Alájar and the remains of the mills, while the circular trail leads from Alájar to the Peña and back again. The Romería adds a date set annually at the Peña to these references to places and routes.

Nearby

The Caves of the Marvels, which is considered a museum, is located in the surroundings of Alájar. In the wider regional surroundings of Alájar lies the Centro De Arte Moderno y Contemporáneo Daniel Vázquez Díaz, which is considered a museum.

Further places to explore in the region: La Redondela, Santa Olalla del Cala, Cortegana, Santa Bárbara De Casa, Galaroza, Santa Ana La Real, Cartaya, Cumbres De San Bartolomé

For the broader travel overview: Huelva.