Cala in Andalusia: Fortress, Mining and Nature

The Castillo de Cala rises above the town, a small fortress built during Muslim rule around the 13th century on the hill above the town. The path there begins at Hostal La Muralla.

Culture

The Iglesia de Santa María Magdalena was built between the 13th and 14th centuries in the early Gothic-Mudéjar style. Its altar houses an altarpiece from the school of Alejo Fernández dating from the early 16th century.

The Ermita Nuestra Señora de Cala can be reached directly from the town via the Paseo de la Ermita. It stands on the site of an ancient Roman building; remnants of gravestones from the imperial period are incorporated into its walls. The ermita is one of the few buildings in Huelva in the transitional style between Romanesque and Gothic.

History

The Minas de Cala can be visited by groups by prior appointment. The Roman workings at the Minas de Cala left behind a large mine working called the Galería Romana.

Exploitation of the Minas de la Sultana began in 1903; the mine has been inactive for more than 60 years. The Minas de la Sultana contained significant copper deposits in particular, as well as some gold.

The Cala mining railway opened in August 1905 and was used to transport minerals for export to the port of Seville. The remains of the railway tracks and track beds of the Ferrocarril de Cala can today be explored via signposted paths and trails.

Near the Minas del Teuler, the ruins of the Casa del Teuler, a former mansion in the English colonial style, can be seen. Germans built the house to accommodate the engineers working at the mine.

Glass furnaces are documented in Cala during the Middle Ages; this industry remained highly significant in the 16th century.

Nature

Cala is one of the municipalities located within the Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche.

The Sendero de los Contrabandistas is a 6.5-kilometre circular trail of low difficulty. It passes through Cala's cork oak forests. Halfway along the route, there is an opportunity to take a break at the Las Tres Encinas picnic area.

Along the path between Cala and Santa Olalla del Cala, there is fresh water and lush vegetation. Birds and amphibians share this habitat.

The Sendero Santa Olalla del Cala–Minas del Teuler–Cala is a largely level trail accessible to pedestrians and bicycles.

Traditions

During the Romería de San Roque, the pilgrimage route follows the Camino de los Contrabandistas. Numerous floats, horses and pilgrims make their way through the municipality to the pilgrimage site. The Romería de San Roque takes place on the last weekend of May.

The Feria de Cala, held in honour of the Virgen de Cala, begins on 7 September.

In autumn, the Maratón BTT takes place in Cala, a mountain biking event described as a pioneering event in the region.

Further destinations

Directly linked destinations include Cumbres De San Bartolomé, El Álamo, Cartaya, Huelva, Minas De Riotinto, Aroche, Gibraleón and Encinasola.

To the higher-level travel overview: Huelva.