Aliseda: Sierra, Mina Pastora and Tesoro

Aliseda lies at the foot of the 603-metre-high Sierra del Aljibe in rugged, mountainous terrain and is surrounded by several hills. Most of the municipality lies in the northern section of the Sierra de San Pedro, where the mountain range borders the northern Penillanura Cacereña.

Landscape and nature

The distinctive quartzite and slate rock formations in Aliseda include the Canchos del Muelle and the Canchos de la Plata. The Sierra de San Pedro near Aliseda is designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and an Area of Regional Interest (ZIR). Protected bat species currently live in Mina Pastora.

The EX-303 offers a scenic route through the Sierra de San Pedro: over 30 kilometres, the road leads from Aliseda into the mountains as far as Arroyo del Soldado near Alburquerque.

Hiking trails and activities

Aliseda has eleven signposted hiking trails that can be walked at almost any time of year. At the Aliseda reservoir and on the Río Salor, sporting activities such as the Ruta de las Fuentes hiking route are possible.

The “Sierra de Valdelasmanos” hiking route takes in an old grain mill belonging to the church, as well as the three distinctive springs Fuente Nueva, Fuente del Cura and Fuente del Castaño.

History and culture

Mina Pastora has protohistoric origins; a furnace dating from the 7th or 6th century BC was discovered there. Three levels of Mina Pastora are accessible to visitors. They contain iron minerals such as goethite, haematite and limonite, sulphates, varied vegetation, Roman remains and the protohistoric furnace.

Mina Pastora can be visited to learn about the former extraction of iron and the history of the mine. The Diputación de Cáceres lists the C.I. de la Mina Pastora as an interpretation centre in Aliseda.

The Centro de Interpretación del Tesoro de Aliseda displays a replica of the treasure. A guided tour explains its discovery, Aliseda’s role in protohistory, the goldsmithing techniques and the individual pieces.

The Tesoro de Aliseda is a Phoenician-Tartessian gold jewellery and grave-goods find discovered on 29 February 1920, and is considered the first find of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula.

The Parroquia de Santa María de la Asunción is a 15th-century church built largely of masonry and slate, with a Baroque altarpiece. The Tumbas de los Moros form a Visigothic necropolis with six anthropomorphic graves carved into granite, probably dating from the 6th or 7th century.

South of Aliseda, in the Sierra de San Pedro, stands the Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Campo, dating from 1485. It was extended in the 18th century and houses a 16th-century baptismal font.

Cuisine and traditions

Local game cuisine in Aliseda includes, among other dishes and products, those made from venison, wild boar, hare, pigeon and partridge. The pork specialities from Aliseda listed by the municipality include chorizo, patatera, morcilla, lomo and jamón.

The traditional Romería takes place at the Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Campo fourteen days after Easter Sunday.

More destinations

More destinations: Barrado, Torrecillas De La Tiesa, Herguijuela, Santa Cruz De La Sierra, El Torno, Pinofranqueado, Acehuche, Bohonal De Ibor.

Events

“El Tesoro de Aliseda – La Leyenda” features workshops, the Mercado de Tartessos, theatre, visits to the interpretation centre for the treasure and the mine, and hikes, among other activities, on the first weekend of August before the summer festivities.

To the main travel overview: Cáceres.