Villamanrique de la Condesa: Palace, Rocío and Doñana

Villamanrique de la Condesa is considered a natural gateway to Doñana.

Culture and Architecture

The Palacio de Villamanrique de la Condesa de París and its garden are protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) in the Monument category. The palace combines the design of a traditional Andalusian country house with surviving palace elements of the Manríquez de Zúñiga family. French influences can be found in the interior design. The garden has a romantic layout; fruit trees stand among clipped hedges, complemented by ornamental plants.

Rocío and the Pilgrimage

The Centro de Interpretación Etnográfica Camino del Rocío is a museum exhibition space about the relationship between Villamanrique de la Condesa and its Primera y Más Antigua Hermandad del Rocío and the Rocío pilgrimage, as well as the passage of the brotherhoods through the town. The passage of the brotherhoods through the town is also part of the exhibition’s subject matter. The Camino del Rocío Museum is located on the grounds of the former Ermita de Santiago. The former Ermita de Santiago was the town’s first Christian church; it was built in 1253.

The most important exhibit in the Camino del Rocío Museum is the “Simpecado Viejo”, an elongated red banner from the 16th century. It bears the oldest known painting of the Virgin of El Rocío. The festival “Villamanrique, Paso de Hermandades” has a two-hundred-year history. The Primera y Más Antigua Hermandad del Rocío de Villamanrique de la Condesa was the first brotherhood to undertake the Rocío pilgrimage and establish the first Rocío route. This route is now called the “Camino de Villamanrique al Rocío”. Throughout the year, the brotherhood welcomes pilgrims and visitors who wish to see the Simpecado.

Nature and Trails

The Centro de Visitantes Dehesa Boyal is an environmental education centre and nature centre in Doñana Natural Park. It offers tourist services and dining options. Access by bicycle from Villamanrique de la Condesa to the Centro de Visitantes José Antonio Valverde in Doñana follows the same route as the car journey. The distance is approximately 25 kilometres each way. The Hinojos–Villamanrique de la Condesa route connects the Centro de Visitantes Los Centenales in Hinojos with the La Dehesa Boyal visitor centre in Villamanrique de la Condesa.

Several starting points are designated for trails around Doñana: the La Dehesa Boyal centre is located in Villamanrique, the Hinojos–Villamanrique route runs from Los Centenales to La Dehesa Boyal, and the cycling route continues to the Centro de Visitantes José Antonio Valverde. The journey to José Antonio Valverde is stated to be approximately 25 kilometres in each direction.

“Paseo a caballo en Villamanrique” is a two-hour horseback ride for all levels in the natural surroundings of Doñana.

Further destinations

Further destinations are available to you with Pilas, La Puebla De Los Infantes, Écija, Montellano, Cañada Rosal, Alanís, Cerro de Hierro and Constantina.

For the overarching travel overview: Seville.