Cortegana: Castle Culture, Routes and Nature

Culture and History

The Castillo Medieval de Cortegana is dated to the 13th century and is recognised as a protected heritage monument classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural; recognition by the Junta de Andalucía took place on 29 June 1985.

Today, the Castillo Medieval de Cortegana is a tourist attraction used primarily for cultural purposes. These include the Jornadas Culturales organised by the Asociación Amigos del Castillo de Cortegana and the Jornadas Medievales.

The Jornadas Medievales take place in the heritage complex consisting of the Castillo Medieval de Cortegana, its surroundings and the Iglesia Parroquial del Divino Salvador. The heritage complex therefore includes not only the castle and its surroundings, but also the parish church of Divino Salvador. Activities include street theatre and street music, tournaments, exhibitions, participatory and demonstration workshops, concerts, a medieval dinner and games for children.

The Iglesia del Divino Salvador has origins dating back to the 14th century and was built in the Mudéjar style.

At Alfar Peñalta, pottery continues to be made using the “la cuchara” decoration technique, in which geometric glazed ornaments are applied to the vessels with a spoon.

Routes and Viewpoints

The Ruta de los Miradores offers panoramic views of the townscape and surrounding natural landscape from viewpoints in the municipality of Cortegana.

The Ruta Monumental is a tour of Cortegana’s most important cultural heritage sites and encompasses monumental, historical, artistic and architectural values.

The Ruta de la Arquitectura del Agua includes several springs in Cortegana and explores the historical importance of water use in the development of the municipality.

The Ruta de la Fotografía leads to various locations offering distinctive perspectives of Cortegana and some of its most important cultural heritage sites.

Natural Environment

The Río Chanza rises in the west of the municipality of Cortegana. It flows from east to west at the foot of the Picos de Aroche and the Sierra Pelada.

Cortegana’s landscape includes grazed areas with holm and cork oaks, as well as chestnut groves. These are among the characteristic landscapes of the Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche.

The municipality of Cortegana includes the Zona Especial de Conservación (ZEC) and the Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves (ZEPA) Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche.

Cuisine and Tradition

Cortegana’s characteristic culinary specialities include goat’s cheese, both matured and fresh, as well as the well-known Quesadas.

The Romería leads from Cortegana to the Ermita de la Virgen del Rosario in the hamlet of La Corte, which is 6 kilometres from Cortegana.

For a stay in Cortegana, a hotel is one possible form of accommodation; the choice of accommodation remains a separate planning step alongside the local information described here and is made according to personal preferences regarding overnight stays.

Further places to discover include San Telmo, Villalba Del Alcor, Calañas, Punta Umbría, La Granada de Río-Tinto, San Juan Del Puerto, Los Marines and Almonte.

For the overarching travel overview: Huelva.