Holiday apartment in Pruna: Sierra del Tablón and culture

Pruna brings together borderland history, mountain landscapes, religious traditions and olive oil culture within a small area. Between Castillo del Hierro, the trails of the Sierra del Tablón and places such as El Molinillo, a diverse picture of this Andalusian town emerges.

History and culture

Castillo del Hierro was built in the 13th century as a defensive fortification on the Castilian-Nasrid border. It is protected as a Site of Cultural Interest and is considered the only monument of Nasrid origin in the province of Seville. Another defining landmark is the Iglesia San Antonio Abad. The Baroque church, originally dating from the 16th century, contains numerous altarpieces, paintings, images, an altar and a dome. Particular prominence is given to the Cristo de la Vera Cruz from the school of Pedro Roldán.

Nature and history also come together directly at El Molinillo: there is a waterfall approximately 30 metres high, located 1.5 kilometres from Pruna, which forms where the water from two streams flows over a rocky ledge. The waterfall also provides the backdrop for a 16th-century grain mill. The Fuente de las Lavanderas recalls the working lives of past generations. Next to the original Pilar stands a monument honouring the washerwomen; the Pilar was initially used for agricultural purposes and later by women as a washing place.

Landscape and nature

A hiking trail from Pruna leads across the Sierra del Tablón to El Terril. At 1,129 metres, El Terril is the highest point in the province of Seville. The landscape of the Sierra del Tablón near El Terril includes strawberry trees, holm oaks, rockroses and broom on its northern side. The landscape also features the Fuente del Duque, with four basins carved into the stone. It is fed by a spring originating in the Sierra del Tablón.

Trails and climbs

Several routes showcase the varied terrain around Pruna. The section of the Camino de Santiago de la Frontera starting from Pruna is of moderate difficulty, 11.5 kilometres long and takes approximately two and a half hours. This route through the province of Seville begins in Pruna and runs for slightly more than eleven kilometres to Algámitas. The Ruta Subida al Terril is also classified as a moderately difficult route; it covers 6.90 kilometres and has a stated duration of 2.30 hours.

Castillo del Hierro can also be reached via its own ascent route: it begins at the Fuente del Pilarillo and climbs for approximately 800 metres, gaining almost 200 metres in elevation. Alongside the longer pilgrimage route, this places shorter, clearly measured routes to the area's notable destinations at the centre of attention.

Faith and local traditions

The Ermita del Navazo, also known as Ermita de La Pura y Limpia, is located four kilometres from Pruna in a largely untouched landscape near the Sierra del Tablón. The elevated chapel offers a viewpoint over the surrounding sierras and is also regarded as a place for observing the night sky.

The pilgrimage in Pruna takes place every year. Between 1940 and 1946, the Romería to Cerro del Navazo, approximately four kilometres from the town centre, was revived. During the Romería de la Pura y Limpia, the procession makes its way to the Ermita; the Virgin travels in a covered carriage drawn by two oxen. Another religious custom is the Sermón del Descendimiento de Cristo, which is celebrated in Pruna on Good Friday. The rite has roots in the Middle Ages and continues to be maintained there.

Olive oil and local character

At the Cooperativa Pruna San Antón, the visit includes a detour to centuries-old olive groves, a visit to the oil mill, as well as an olive oil tasting and sampling. The extra virgin olive oil with protected designation of origin is obtained by simple cold pressing from the Lechín, Picual, Hojiblanca, Manzanilla and Verdial varieties.

Other destinations

Other destinations in the same regional context include El Viso Del Alcor, Cazalla De La Sierra, La Lantejuela, El Ronquillo, La Puebla de Cazalla, Las Navas De La Concepción, Utrera and Montellano.

For the overarching travel overview: Seville.