Villalba Del Alcor: Culture, Festivals and Holiday Apartment

At the Antiguo Hospital de la Misericordia, whose origins date back to the 16th century, only a side entrance, now bricked up, and the church's main portal have survived.

Culture and History

The Parroquia de San Bartolomé is located in the historic centre of Villalba del Alcor. It is recognised as a historic-artistic monument and as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The Convento de San Juan Bautista is the only surviving enclosed monastery of the Discalced Carmelites of its kind in the Condado and was founded in 1618. The convent church has a Mudéjar roof and two 18th-century altarpieces; the main altar was created by Fernando de Barahona.

The Casa del Cañón belongs to a group of houses with whitewashed façades, Arabic roof tiles and windows protected by grilles. At the same time, it is one of the Andalusian manor houses dating from the 18th century. The manor houses of Villalba del Alcor stand along the former Calle Real. The Torre Alambique, dating from the 20th century, formerly served as a distillery and is now a private home. The Ermita de Santa Águeda is an octagonal Neo-Gothic building from the 19th century.

The building next to the Museo de Artes y Costumbres de Villalba del Alcor has a conference and projection hall as well as other facilities for cultural activities.

Festivals and Religious Heritage

Holy Week in Villalba del Alcor reaches its climax on Holy Wednesday. In the afternoon, the brotherhood Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Santísima del Socorro processes through the town.

Villalba del Alcor is the only municipality in the province of Huelva where Toro-de-Cuerda bull runs are held; the festival dates back to the 18th century. During the Toro de cuerda, the bull remains loose in the streets for about an hour while runners pursue it and dodge it. The event takes place in August and September during the festivities in honour of the Virgen del Carmen. Every May, Villalba del Alcor takes part in the Cruces de Mayo, creating a special street display to celebrate spring.

The contemporary paintings by Manuel Travado on the ceiling and lower wall section of a chapel depict the Stations of the Cross and were restored by Antonio Hermosilla. One chapel contains a sacred wooden beam created by the sculptor Joaquín Moreno Daza. The movable religious heritage of the brotherhood Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Santísima del Socorro includes an image of Our Lady of the Angels.

Wine and Cuisine

The wine tradition of Villalba del Alcor is linked to a first wine shipment to the Indias dated 1503. The town's culinary profile includes Tostón, Lomo en manteca and handmade sweets such as Roscos fritos, Brazos de gitano and Empanadillas.

Villalba del Alcor is one of the municipalities in the Condado associated with guided winery tours. These tours explain traditional methods of producing wine and vinegar. Some wineries also offer vineyard visits, tastings, food pairings and tastings of regional products.

Routes and Landscape

The Villalba del Alcor–Manzanilla route passes through a landscape of vineyards, olive groves, cereal fields, eucalyptus groves and dehesa areas. The route is shaped by the winegrowing tradition of both towns; at the end, there is an opportunity to visit a winery. The varied landscapes and the thematic connection with wine give the routes their own distinctive focus.

On the Ruta Sierra Norte, the landscape changes from cultivated land to a domed spring fountain with a livestock trough, and then to a stand of holm oaks and its associated scrubland. Hikers can observe deer, wild boar and foxes there.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Villalba del Alcor, you can review the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions together on the respective listing page. These three details provide a straightforward basis for comparison alongside the town's cultural, culinary and landscape attractions.

Other Places

Rociana del Condado, Los Marines, Lepe, Huelva, Campofrío, Puerto de la Laja, Corteconcepción and Aljaraque.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Huelva.