Valencina de la Concepción: Megalithic Culture and Andalusian Traditions

Culture

The archaeological zone of Valencina covers more than 400 hectares. It is one of the largest settlements of the 3rd millennium BC. On the Iberian Peninsula, it is one of the most important centres of megalithism. In the General Catalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage, it is listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the category of Archaeological Zone.

The Dolmen de la Pastora is a tholos. Its chamber is circular and approximately 2.5 metres in size. The associated corridor is more than 45 metres long. The entrance is aligned with the sunset. The Dolmen de Matarrubilla has a chamber-and-corridor layout. This structure reaches a maximum length of 32 metres. Its chamber contains a large, hewn marble block. There is a depression on its upper surface. The block may have served as an altar or sacrificial table.

Visiting

The Museo Municipal is located in the Casa de la Cultura on Plaza de España. It displays archaeological remains from the period from 2500 to 1500 BC. The Valencina Museum offers visits to the Dolmen de la Pastora. Prior reservation is required for visiting hours at the Museo de Valencina and the dolmens in order to secure a place.

Faith

The Romería de Torrijos has been recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Andalucía. On Sunday morning, Nuestra Señora de la Estrella Coronada is taken by carriage to the Hacienda de Torrijos. The Capilla del Santísimo Cristo de Torrijos is located there. The Hacienda de Torrijos is a former Arab military fortress. It includes walls and towers.

The Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Estrella dates from the 17th century. The retables in the Sagrario Chapel date from 1609. Andrés de Ocampo and Antonio Pérez are the artists of these works.

The Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Estrella thus combines a 17th-century church building with furnishings dated more precisely. The retables in the Sagrario Chapel bear the year 1609. As works by Andrés de Ocampo and Antonio Pérez, they also point to two artists known by name. The chapel therefore forms a distinct part of the town's sacred history alongside the Romería de Torrijos and the Capilla del Santísimo Cristo de Torrijos.

Cuisine

Mantas doblás are a traditional local sweet pastry from Valencina de la Concepción. Valencina de la Concepción is part of the Ruta del Mosto through the area around Seville.

Arrival

An arrival from Dos Hermanas at 08:13 on line C5 is listed at Valencina-Santiponce station.

More destinations

Other destinations include Gines, El Castillo De Las Guardas, El Garrobo, Brenes, Esquivel, Castilleja De La Cuesta, Écija and Seville.

To the overarching travel overview: Seville.