Holiday apartment in Arahal: historic churches and paths through the countryside

Arahal combines a protected historic centre with sacred art, flamenco culture and paths through the countryside. The historic centre of Arahal lies at the top of a gentle, plateau-like hill. It was protected as a historic ensemble as early as 1979; in 2003, it was expanded and newly defined as a Bien de Interés Cultural, meaning an Asset of Cultural Interest.

Culture and history

Arahal's sacred architecture includes several buildings with clearly defined historical and stylistic features. The Iglesia del Santo Cristo de la Misericordia is an 18th-century church built between 1745 and 1757 in the colonial Baroque style. It was formerly a hospital. The present parish church of Santa María Magdalena was built in 1776 as a Neoclassical church based on a design by the architect Lucas Cintora; it houses the Museo de Arte Sacro, which displays liturgical furnishings from the 16th century to the present day, including choir books and the cross by Francisco Alfaro.

The Convento de Nuestra Señora del Rosario was founded in the first quarter of the 17th century and built as an Andalusian convent church with a single nave and a square presbytery. The Dominican nuns of this convent produce handmade confectionery. The Ermita de San Antonio de Padua is the only surviving example in Arahal of the semi-rural religious buildings that shaped the surroundings of Andalusian towns and were known as ruedos. In the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Victoria, the central nave has a magnificent Mudéjar-style roof structure.

The Capilla de la Veracruz also occupies a special position among the religious buildings: it is the only religious building in Arahal with a central plan. Its striking portal is made of artistically crafted bricks in the colonial style.

Museums and local traditions

The Museo de la Mujer en el Flamenco explores the role of women in the history of flamenco through audiovisual media, explanatory panels, costumes and other objects. The museum also includes spaces for research and cultural events, as well as a terrace from which visitors can enjoy the local countryside. Arahal therefore focuses both on ecclesiastical collections and on the history of flamenco and the role of women in this culture.

Paths through the countryside

Arahal is crossed by the Pozo del Arca healthy lifestyle route, promoted by the Junta de Andalucía. Another route is the Vereda de Mariserrana. It passes through woodland containing holm oaks, mastic shrubs, rockroses, kermes oaks and wild olive trees, as well as other species.

Getting around Arahal

Arahal has a public urban bus service managed by the town council, operating on a circular route.

Also check which services are included, how the price is made up and which booking or cancellation conditions apply. Carefully comparing these fields brings clarity to the respective offer before you book. Pay attention to the wording on each individual page and to the conditions stated there.

If you would like to open more places in the directory: Guadalcanal, El Pedroso, Castilleja De La Cuesta, Alcolea Del Río, Bormujos, Los Palacios Y Villafranca, El Viso Del Alcor, Santiponce.

To the higher-level travel overview: Seville.