Discover Cortegana: Castle Culture, Nature and Routes

Cortegana combines medieval architectural history with themed paths through the town and countryside. The Castillo Medieval de Cortegana dates back to the 13th century and is a listed monument protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural; it was officially recognised by the Junta de Andalucía on 29 June 1985.

Culture and History

Today, the Castillo Medieval de Cortegana is a tourist site with predominantly cultural uses. These include the Jornadas Culturales organised by the Asociación Amigos del Castillo de Cortegana and the Jornadas Medievales. The Iglesia del Divino Salvador in Cortegana has origins dating back to the 14th century and was built in the Mudéjar style. The Jornadas Medievales take place in the cultural heritage complex comprising the Castillo Medieval de Cortegana, its surroundings and the Iglesia Parroquial del Divino Salvador.

Activities at the Jornadas Medievales include street theatre and street music, tournaments, exhibitions, participatory and demonstration workshops, concerts, a medieval dinner and games for children. At Alfar Peñalta in Cortegana, pottery continues to be made using the "la cuchara" decoration technique, in which geometric glaze ornaments are applied to the vessels with a spoon.

Routes through Cortegana

The various circular routes each have their own thematic focus. The Ruta Monumental is a tour of Cortegana’s most important cultural assets, with monumental, historical, artistic and architectural value. The Ruta de los Miradores offers panoramic views of the townscape and surrounding natural landscape from viewpoints in the Municipio of Cortegana.

The Ruta de la Arquitectura del Agua includes several springs in Cortegana and explores the historical importance of water use for the development of the municipality. The Ruta de la Fotografía leads to various places offering special perspectives of Cortegana and some of its most important cultural assets. The different focuses make it easier to compare the routes by culture, water, panoramic views or photographic perspectives.

Nature and Landscape

The Río Chanza rises in the west of the Municipio of Cortegana; it flows from east to west at the foot of the Picos de Aroche and the Sierra Pelada. Cortegana’s landscape includes grazed areas with holm and cork oaks as well as chestnut groves; these are among the characteristic landscapes of the Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche.

The Municipio of Cortegana includes the Zona Especial de Conservación (ZEC) and the Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves (ZEPA) Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche.

Cuisine and Customs

Cortegana’s characteristic culinary specialities include goat’s cheese, both aged and fresh, as well as the well-known Quesadas. The Romería leads from Cortegana to the Ermita de la Virgen del Rosario in the hamlet of La Corte, 6 kilometres from Cortegana.

Other Places

Further exploration also includes San Telmo. Other places on the same level are Los Marines, Cala, Galaroza, Puerto Moral, Berrocal, Corterrangel and El Álamo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Huelva.