Chucena – Sacred Architecture, Haciendas and Wine

In Chucena, the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Estrella is a Renaissance-style church dating approximately from the last third of the 18th century. The central Baroque altarpiece was created in 1788 by Julián Giménes and contains a depiction of Nuestra Señora de la Estrella, the patron saint of Chucena, dating from the late 16th century.

Culture and History

The original building of the Ermita de la Divina Pastora dates from 1781 and features Renaissance elements. The former church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción y Santa Ana was converted into the rural hermitage of Chucena after depopulation in the 19th century.

The Ermita de la Divina Pastora o templo de Alcalá de la Alameda was built between 1773 and 1781 by Ambrosio de Figueroa and his son. Its current Baroque character dates from a renovation carried out in 1779. In the courtyard of the Hacienda de Alcalá, the remains of an old olive mill dating from the 16th century can be seen.

The Hacienda Alcalá-Alameda is one of Chucena’s private haciendas, whose exterior areas can be visited. El Juego de las Chapas is recognised as intangible cultural heritage in Chucena.

Landscape and Trails

The Dehesa del Perú is considered a natural area characterised by holm oaks and cork oaks. The Ruta Haciendas de Chucena runs along the Camino de Chucena and the Camino del Puerto, then leads onto the A-481 and continues along Calle Torralba.

This route passes through a very flat, traditional cultural landscape characterised predominantly by olive groves as well as grain and sunflower fields. The information on the landscape and route provides a concrete basis for comparing cultural waypoints with open rural landscapes.

The Ruta Manzanilla-Chucena is a 20 km linear route of moderate difficulty with a stated duration of 2.5 hours. It is designated for birdwatching, cycling, nature observation and hiking. The route passes through riparian vegetation with holm oaks, poplars and white poplars.

More local pages: Valverde Del Camino, Isla Cristina, Los Marines, El Cerro De Andévalo, Alájar, San Silvestre De Guzmán, Zufre, Corteconcepción

Wine and Festivals

A pilgrimage known as “el Romerito” takes place every year in May on the esplanade of the Ermita de la Divina Pastora. La Fritá is a rural event held at the Dehesa del Perú by the Hermandad del Rocío de Chucena to raise funds.

The Feria del Vino de Chucena takes place every year in November at the end of the grape harvest. It includes wine tastings and activities combining wine and food. The programme also includes workshops and activities for children.

The cooperative’s Chucena-Mosto wine is made predominantly from the “Zalema” grape variety grown in its members’ vineyards.

To the overarching travel overview: Huelva.