Gerena – Granite, History and Landscape between the Campiña and Sierra Morena

Landscape and Trails

Gerena lies between the Campiña and Sierra Morena and is ideal for hiking and cycling tours.

The agricultural landscape area of Gerena and Olivares comprises olive groves, dryland farming and scattered wooded areas.

Olive trees, flowering almond trees, cork oaks, holm oaks and eucalyptus trees grow along the hiking trail; there are also lavender, rosemary, rockroses, poppies and other wildflowers.

The Mirador de las Canteras is a viewpoint laid out on a hill in the town, offering views over large parts of Gerena, the quarries and the Sevillian Campiña.

Culture and History

The Museo del Cantero offers a self-guided tour with information panels, tools, audiovisual materials and photographic exhibitions on the extraction, processing and marketing of granite.

The remains of Gerena’s Roman wall date from the 1st century and once enclosed the settlement’s central area.

The Palacio del Marqués de Albaserrada is a Casa-Cortijo built at the beginning of the 17th century on a large rock.

The Iglesia Parroquial de la Purísima Concepción has Mudéjar arches between the two sections of the church and a wooden Artesonado ceiling.

The Capilla de la Soledad Coronada is a single-nave Mudéjar building; it was formerly a hermitage and a hospital for travellers.

The chapel was probably built at the beginning of the 16th century and stood within Gerena’s former wall.

The Basílica Paleocristiana is located at Camino de la Basílica, s/n, in Gerena.

Historically, it has been associated with pilgrims travelling along the southern route of the Camino de Santiago.

The Fuente de los Caños comprises an initial collection basin dating from Roman times, known as the fuente vieja, as well as thermal baths.

It was restored in 1883, preserving the seating and the spring’s two outlets.

Routes and Gastronomy

The Ruta de Rompezapatos is approximately 3 km long, begins on the road from Gerena to El Garrobo and ends at the Rompezapatos estate beside a small stream among oleanders and holm oaks.

The Ruta de la Tapa de Gerena was held in several editions and involved local food and drink establishments; 17 establishments took part in one edition.

Cultural and tourist activities were held in parallel, including tourist routes through Gerena’s town centre and natural surroundings.

Festivals and Pilgrimage

The Feria y Fiestas Patronales de Gerena are the municipality’s most important festivities and take place in spring.

The local Feria is associated with a pilgrimage in honour of the Virgen de la Encarnación, the town’s patron saint.

The Semana Santa de Gerena includes a procession held each year alternately on Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday.

Other Places

Other places include Cerro de Hierro, Las Cabezas De San Juan, Fuentes De Andalucía, Palomares Del Rio, Montellano, Coripe, Mairena Del Alcor and El Castillo De Las Guardas.

Getting There

A regular bus service operated by Paulino, S.L. runs between Seville and Gerena, departing from the Plaza de Armas bus station in Seville.

To the higher-level travel overview: Seville.