Arahal: Historic Centre, Churches and Trails

Culture and History

The historic centre of Arahal lies at the top of a gentle, plateau-like hill. It was protected as a historic ensemble in 1979. In 2003, it was expanded and newly designated as a Bien de Interés Cultural, meaning an Asset of Cultural Interest.

The present-day parish church of Santa María Magdalena was built in 1776 as a Neoclassical church, based on a design by the architect Lucas Cintora. The Iglesia del Santo Cristo de la Misericordia is an 18th-century church. It was built between 1745 and 1757 in the colonial Baroque style and was formerly a hospital. The Convento de Nuestra Señora del Rosario was founded in the first quarter of the 17th century. It was built as an Andalusian convent church with a single nave and a square presbytery.

The chronology therefore extends from the foundation of the Convento in the first quarter of the 17th century, through the 18th-century church, to the construction of Santa María Magdalena in 1776. It encompasses a single nave, a square presbytery, a Mudéjar roof structure and a centralised floor plan.

The Dominican nuns of the Convento de Nuestra Señora del Rosario make handcrafted confectionery. The Ermita de San Antonio de Padua is the only surviving example in Arahal of the semi-rural religious buildings that characterised the surroundings of Andalusian towns. These buildings were known as Ruedos. The nave of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Victoria has a magnificent Mudéjar-style roof structure. The Capilla de la Veracruz is the only religious building in Arahal with a centralised floor plan. Its striking portal is made of intricately worked bricks in the colonial style.

Museums

The Museo de Arte Sacro in the church of Santa María Magdalena displays liturgical furnishings and objects dating from the 16th century to the present day. The exhibits include choir books and the cross by Francisco Alfaro. The Museo de la Mujer en el Flamenco explores the role of women in the history of flamenco. This subject is addressed through audiovisual media, explanatory panels, costumes and other objects.

The Museo de la Mujer en el Flamenco has rooms for research and cultural events. It also has a terrace from which visitors can enjoy the local landscape.

Arahal has a public municipal bus service operated by the town council on a circular route.

Other places in the same selection are Almadén De La Plata, Gerena, Utrera, Lebrija, Huévar Del Aljarafe, Las Navas De La Concepción, El Pedroso and Coripe.

Trails and Landscape

The Pozo del Arca healthy-lifestyle route, promoted by the Junta de Andalucía, runs through Arahal. The Vereda de Mariserrana trail passes through woodland with holm oaks, mastic shrubs, rockroses, kermes oaks and wild olive trees, as well as other species.

To the higher-level travel overview: Seville.