Almonaster La Real: Mosque, Nature Park and Hiking Trails

Culture

The historic ensemble of Almonaster la Real is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural and classified as a Conjunto Histórico. This protected ensemble includes the hill on which the castle-mosque is located. The Mezquita de Almonaster la Real was built between the 9th and 10th centuries. It is considered an exceptionally valuable historic and artistic ensemble and the only mosque in Spain that has survived virtually intact to the present day in a rural setting.

History

The Iglesia Parroquial de San Martín is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. The Puerta del Perdón of the Iglesia Parroquial de San Martín was built from gray limestone in the Portuguese Manueline style. It is one of the few examples of this style in Spain. The Plaza de Toros next to the castle and mosque of Almonaster was inaugurated on July 19, 1821. Its circular interior has a diameter of 32 meters.

The Zona Arqueológica de Santa Eulalia, listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural, is located in the municipality of Almonaster La Real. It is also known as the Zona arqueológica de Santa Eulalia y Ermita de Santa Eulalia.

Nature and Hiking

Almonaster La Real is one of the municipalities within the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Nature Park. The Subida al Cerro de San Cristóbal circular hiking trail is 5.67 kilometers long. The route is listed as taking 2 hours and 30 minutes. It is classified as difficult. The route leads to the third-highest summit in this nature park and to one of its most important viewpoints. The Sendero Cortegana–Almonaster la Real PR-A 5 hiking trail ends less than one kilometer from the entrance to Almonaster.

Cultural Interpretation

The Centro de Interpretación de la Cultura Islámica presents Almonaster’s Islamic heritage to visitors. It also presents the cultural area of Almonaster and the entire Sierra.

Tradition

The biennial Matanza Vegetal takes place in the district of Calabazares in the municipality of Almonaster la Real. The celebration honors cultivation in the vegetable gardens. It also honors the preservation of plant products and their seeds. The Fandango de Almonaster, also known as Fandango de Santa Eulalia, is performed during the town’s pilgrimage to the Dehesa de la Arguijuela.

Gastronomy

The cuisine of Almonaster la Real includes game meat. It also includes cured meat products made from Iberian pork.

A hotel stay in Almonaster la Real can be considered a general accommodation option in the town; this does not establish a specific property, its availability, or its features, nor are they automatically implied.

More destinations

Find more destinations here: Berrocal, Cumbres De San Bartolomé, Rociana del Condado, La Granada de Río-Tinto, Corteconcepción, Galaroza, Arroyomolinos De León, Jabugo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Huelva.