Aznalcázar: Doñana, Guadiamar and history

The municipality of Aznalcázar contains 13,713 hectares of Doñana National Park, which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In total, Aznalcázar contributes 19,237 hectares to the Espacio Natural de Doñana. The municipality is also part of the protected landscape of the Corredor Verde del Guadiamar.

Nature and trails

The Pinares de Aznalcázar are an ecologically significant woodland area in the province of Seville, with dense tree cover and diverse ecosystems. Visitor facilities in the Pinares include picnic areas with barbecues and children's play areas.

The Corredor Verde del Guadiamar has more than 60 kilometres of marked trails that can be used on foot, by bicycle, on horseback and by kayak along a section of the river. The section of the Corredor Verde near Aznalcázar contains an interpretation centre, the Buitrago Botanical Park and several observation points.

The Buitrago botanical trail is approximately 1.5 kilometres long, accessible to people with disabilities and showcases four characteristic ecosystems: Mediterranean woodland, riverside vegetation, transitional vegetation and marsh vegetation.

Visitor centres

The José Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre is located in the marshes within the municipality of Aznalcázar. Its architecture resembles traditional marsh huts. Outside the visitor centre, there are observation points for identifying and observing wildlife at the restored Lucio. The José Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre is currently temporarily closed.

The Guadiamar Visitor Centre is located in the protected landscape of the Corredor Verde del Guadiamar within the municipality of Aznalcázar. It includes an exhibition and events space with an audiovisual presentation about the values of the protected landscape. It also has a cafeteria and a large outdoor area for recreation beside the Guadiamar River.

Buildings and history

The Arquillo de la Pescadería, also known as Puerta del Arquillo, is an Islamic, more precisely Almohad, gate and was designated a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1985. The Iglesia de San Pablo is a representative example of Sevillian Mudéjar architecture from the 14th century and has three naves. It is closed; its south portal can be viewed from the outside.

The Capilla de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación contains a Neoclassical altarpiece and images of its titular figure dating from the 18th century. The Capilla de Nuestro Padre Jesús contains a Baroque altarpiece and images of its titular figure dating from the 18th century. The Ermita del Calvario dates from the 16th century and was a place of worship where pilgrims prayed.

The Arco San Bernardo dates from the second half of the 15th century and was the gateway to a grain mill whose watercourse had to cross the public path running beneath it. Several of the original fourteen arches of the Roman Bridge of Aznalcázar, which partially collapsed in 1821, are still visible.

In the 16th century, Aznalcázar had the only bridge over the Guadiamar River; throughout history, it was of great importance for the transport connection between Híspalis, present-day Seville, and Onuba, present-day Huelva. One route of the Corredor Verde begins at the Roman Bridge on the edge of Aznalcázar's town centre and leads across the former railway bridge structure to the Buitrago recreational area and botanical loop trail.

The sparse remains of the fortress that gave Aznalcázar its present name are located on the Cerro del Alcázar. The Roman remains on the Cerro del Alcázar have been restored as a leisure and recreation park; from there, views extend across the Guadiamar plain. The Cerro del Alcázar is in an open area that is freely accessible every day. The 17th-century Casa Grande houses the information point for Doñana National Park in Aznalcázar.

Rocío and local cuisine

The Vado del Quema in Aznalcázar lies in the Corredor Verde del Guadiamar and is a symbolic crossing on the Rocío pilgrimage, where the Hermandades cross the river as part of a ritual. The passage of the Hermandades through the Vado del Quema dates back to the early pilgrimages to the Aldea del Rocío and is recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Andalucía.

Revuelto de gurumelos is a local dish made with the Gurumelo mushroom, which is characteristic of the pine forests of Aznalcázar.

Getting there

Aznalcázar can be reached via the A-49 between Seville and Huelva, exit 16 Benacazón/Sanlúcar la Mayor, and then via the A-473.

More destinations

Other places include El Real De La Jara, Huévar Del Aljarafe, Mairena Del Aljarafe, Villanueva Del Ariscal, Alcalá De Guadaíra, Cerro de Hierro, El Cuervo De Sevilla and Las Cañadillas.

To the higher-level travel overview: Seville.