Guadalcanal: Mudéjar Culture and Sierra Norte

Nature

Guadalcanal is located in the Sierra Norte Natural Park, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. The mid-mountain landscape includes extensive dehesas and forests of holm oaks, cork oaks, Portuguese oaks, chestnut trees, pines, elms and olive trees. This means that open dehesa areas meet woodland sections with a diverse composition of native tree species.

La Capitana reaches 959 metres and is the highest point in the Sierra Norte de Sevilla. The La Capitana viewpoint is suitable for birdwatching and offers views of the landscape of southern Extremadura as well as the mountains and hills of the Sierra Morena de Sevilla. The Mirador de la Capitana route is 12 kilometres long, including both the outward and return journeys, takes approximately 1 hour and 14 minutes, and is rated easy. Thus, both directions are already included in the stated distance; the time indicated expressly remains an approximate duration. Guadalcanal is certified as a Starlight municipality and is suitable for astronomy and stargazing.

Other places

For your further selection of places, you can open Valdezorras, Constantina, Mairena Del Alcor, Sanlúcar La Mayor, San Juan De Aznalfarache, Seville, Villanueva Del Ariscal and Camas.

Culture and History

The Mudéjar style predominates among Guadalcanal’s buildings and significant monuments. La Almona was used to store grain and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of late medieval secular architecture in Andalusia. The building is dated to 1307 and is considered the oldest secular building in Seville Province.

The Convento del Espíritu Santo comprises a church with a Latin-cross floor plan and an extensive cloister in the Tuscan order. The church and cloister are part of the same monastery complex. The Iglesia de Santa Ana houses the Centro de Interpretación de la Sierra Morena de Sevilla. It is considered the oldest church in Guadalcanal and was declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1979.

The historic centre of Guadalcanal is listed as part of Andalusia’s historic and artistic cultural heritage; its registration is recorded in BOE 103 dated 28 April 2004. The Minas de Pozo Rico de Guadalcanal are described as Spain’s first 16th-century mining reserve and were known for their silver wealth around 1555.

Guadalcanal’s culinary specialities include traditionally produced chacinas and Iberian ham, as well as calderetas and game-meat stews. Migas with chorizo and traditionally prepared gazpacho are also part of the local cuisine.

Getting there

From Seville, Guadalcanal can be reached by car via the A-432 through Cazalla de la Sierra and Alanís, or via the A-66, the Autovía de la Ruta de la Plata. Santa Justa station in Seville is named for travel by train; the Estación de Plaza de Armas for travel by bus.

To the higher-level travel overview: Seville.