Almadén De La Plata: Holiday Apartment, Nature and History

Almadén de la Plata lies between the Viar and Cala rivers in the heart of the Parque Natural de la Sierra Morena sevillana. Nature, trails, archaeological sites, a historic building and an event dedicated to the Iberian pig are among the town’s defining features.

Nature

An extensive municipal network of trails and viewpoints leads through dehesa landscapes and typical Mediterranean scrubland. This network of trails is suitable for hiking, cycling and horse riding. In the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Geopark, Berrocal de Almadén de La Plata is a geosite representing this type of landscape. The El Berrocal estate is located about 4 km from Almadén de la Plata and includes the Cortijo El Berrocal visitor centre. A trail begins in Almadén de la Plata, leads to the Arroyo de la Calzadilla and continues to a gorge with a waterfall and small cascades. The viewpoint has a recreational area; the ascent can also be made by vehicle.

Trails and Observations

At the Mirador de La Traviesa, the Astronomical Observatory belongs to the municipality of Almadén de la Plata and is open to the public. Stage 4 of the Camino de Santiago runs from Almadén de la Plata to Monesterio and is 34.5 km long. It follows the signposted route through Almadén to the Plaza de Toros and onwards towards Cerro de los Covachos and El Real de la Jara. In Parque Natural El Berrocal, guided visits to observe the rutting deer are offered from mid-September to the end of October. They usually take place early in the morning and last 2.5 to 3 hours.

Archaeology and Architectural Heritage

At an archaeological site, 182 rock-art locations were discovered along a stretch of 520 metres. A Roman marble quarry dating from the 1st century AD was fully excavated and converted into a museum for public presentation. One archaeological site includes a Bronze Age cist-tomb necropolis and a settlement from the first half of the 2nd millennium BC; it was converted into a museum and designated Spanish historical heritage. At an archaeological site, remains from the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and late Roman imperial periods were found.

One building dates from the late 16th or early 17th century and combines Renaissance architecture with Baroque decoration. It was originally built in the 15th century as the Hospital de los Ángeles, converted into an ermita in the 17th century and given a Neo-Mudéjar-style tower in 1905. On 26 November 2007, the building was recognised by the cultural authority of the Junta de Andalucía as a Bien de Interés Cultural.

Local Tradition

An event dedicated to the Iberian pig takes place from Friday to Sunday during the third week of March. The programme includes exhibitions of local products and handicrafts, historical photography exhibitions, visits to the main sights, as well as tastings of a Moliner-style breakfast and ham.

More Destinations

More destinations in the regional travel area: El Castillo De Las Guardas, Lebrija, Cazalla De La Sierra, Bollullos De La Mitación, El Madroño, La Puebla de Cazalla, Juan Gállego, Villanueva Del Ariscal.

To the higher-level travel overview: Seville.