San Silvestre de Guzmán: Trails, Windmills and Festivals

Trails and Landscape

In San Silvestre de Guzmán, Stage 43 of the Camino Natural del Guadiana leaves the town via the Vereda de la Zaballa, a traditional livestock trail. The stage is considered to be of low difficulty and runs along wide dirt tracks. At the beginning of this stage stands the well-preserved Molino de Vilán windmill. Its interior can be visited to see the machinery.

The Camino Natural del Guadiana reaches the Pilar de la Huerta picnic and rest area 1.5 kilometres from San Silvestre de Guzmán. An old livestock watering trough has been preserved at Pilar de la Huerta. In the past, travellers and livestock owners from the area watered their animals there. There are several picnic areas and a children’s playground around Pilar de la Huerta.

The municipal route “Divisando el mar” is considered to be of low difficulty and runs along wide paths with little gradient and an even surface. The municipal route “Un paisaje de frontera” runs mostly along the GR 114 and is considered easily accessible to hikers and mountain bikers. The Cross San Silvestre passes by or through the area around Molino de Vilán.

Architectural Heritage and History

The Molino de Tía Juana Correa is one of the restored windmills in San Silvestre de Guzmán. The El Castelo archaeological site dates from the Iron Age and is one of the attractions of San Silvestre de Guzmán. In the area of the El Castelo archaeological site, discovered remains point to a human presence dating back at least 5,000 years.

One building dates from the first half of the 16th century. It is rectangular, consists of a single nave and has an attached square presbytery. The building is considered typical of the 18th century; access is via three corners.

Culture and Festivals

La Sansilvestrale is a film festival in San Silvestre de Guzmán with a short-film competition. The programme of the Romería de Nuestra Señora del Rosario includes a procession accompanied by riders and carrying pennants towards Alto de las Grullas. The programme also includes a romero gathering at Molino de Vilán.

The Feria Cinegética de San Silvestre de Guzmán is held repeatedly and includes a straight-line speed championship using a mechanical lure, as well as a beauty contest in five categories. The Concurso de Fandangos was founded in 1992 and is the oldest competition in the province. The competition is restricted to fandangos from Huelva and its province; participants are now also allowed to include their own stylistic variations.

Digital Exploration

The interactive app La Ruta del Agua is available for Android and iPhone and provides audio playback for every point on the route. On an aerial map of the municipality, it shows the stages of the route and various attractions. The app also contains a directory of the municipality’s fountains and livestock watering troughs, with photos and text and audio descriptions, and offers translations.

Other Places

More places to discover: Cala, Niebla, Chucena, Veredas, Valverde Del Camino, Zalamea La Real, Alájar and Encinasola.

To the main travel overview: Huelva.