There is much to see, if you want to enjoy a good hike or to try any of the many product our area has to offer you are in the right place.
Thanks to the central location of our property with regards to the Sierra, we find ourselves in an ideal situation for activities such as hiking or cycling. We’ve taken advantage of modern technology to share with you the many possibilities you can enjoy once you put down your suitcase and pick up your backpack.
ntramos en un punto ideal a la hora de hacer actividades como senderismo o rutas en bicicleta. Hemos querido aprovechar las nuevas tecnologías para darles a conocer muchas de las posibilidades que podrán disfrutar una vez suelten las maletas y preparen la mochila.
El Pozuelo farm is in an area declared a Natural Park in 1989. As well as that, this area is part of the Dehesa de Sierra Morena Biosphere Reserve and the Special Bird Protection zone.
From the beginning of the VIII century till the SXIII century Arabic influence left it’s mark on the Sierra. The trails of Al-Mutamid, a poet, musician and the king of the Muslim principality of Sevilla who made these trails famous in Al-Andalus. These trails go between Seville and Lisbon through the Sierra villages of Aroche, Cortegana, Almonaster la Real and Aracena.
Built during the reign of Abd-al-Rahman III, it is proof of the cultural importance at that time of the town. The mosque itself was built on the ruins of a Visigoth basilica built in the VI century reusing some of it’s ruined material. After that it was converted into a hermitage.
Home to the medieval festival, it is the most emblematic building in the town. It was built on some Muslim ruins although to this day not much is known about it, some suggest it’s origines might be connected to the order of the Templar Knights. The citadel, surrounded by six towers, can still be observed.
It’s situated in the center of the town and beneath its mountain are the famous Grutas de las Maravillas (The caves of wonders). The structure consists of an inner fortress, an inner water tank (so that when it was sieged they’d have access to safe drinking water), fortified walls and turrets. Attached to the church is a Mudejar tower.
It is surrounded by a wall flanked by 10 towers, all of them square, three of them are taller than the rest. Archaeologists say it was built between the XI and XII centuries.
To complete the famous Castle Route, we must visit the castles in Cala, Cumbres de San Bartolomé and Santa Olalla del Cala.
To defend the Kingdom of Spain from the various sieges launched by the Kingdom of Portugal, King Alfonso X ‘the Wise’ distributed much of the land reconquered from the Moors, but it was his son, King Sancho, who authorised the city of Seville to build fortifications to protect its lands.
The Peña de Arias Montano, situated in the neighbouring town of Alájar, takes its name from Benito Arias Montano, librarian of the Monastery of El Escorial during the reign of Philip II. He was also the editor of the Polyglot Bible, an astrologer and an alchemist. This iconic site in our region, with powerful earth energy, comprises eight caves, of which only El Palacio Oscuro and La Sillita del Rey are open to visitors. The sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles was built in the 16th century, and all the brotherhoods make a pilgrimage there every 8 September.
The Gruta de las Maravillas in Aracena, situated right in the town centre, is said by locals to have been discovered by a shepherd whilst searching for a lost pig. It is a cavity formed by the action of water on the limestone and marble of the Cambrian period (over 500 million years old).
The first records of its existence date back to 1850, and it was opened to the public in 1914, becoming Spain’s first tourist cave. By 1926, new galleries had been opened on the second level, thereby extending the area open to visitors. It was in 1986 that the third level was explored. It currently features galleries spanning 2,300 metres, divided into three levels. The tour lasts approximately one hour and covers around 1,200 metres, starting in the Sala de las Conchas, though we would prefer to invite you to visit and discover another of the magical corners of our Sierra.
There are many villages we have not mentioned above, but that does not make them any less important. Small villages such as Santa Ana la Real, Hinojales, Valdelarco, Puerto Moral, Cañaveral de León, La Nava, Los Marines, Cala, Corteconcepción, and Arroyomolinos de León make up a cluster of small settlements, yet they offer a wealth of culinary, scenic and historical-cultural diversity.
The area of Jabugo is global recognised for its products derived from pigs, especially, Jamón Ibérico de Bellota (Iberian acorn fed cured ham). You will also be enjoying a part of Europe with the biggest diversity of mushrooms, with varieties such as the Amanita Caesarea or the Amanita Ponderosa.
Huelva is one of the most important food and gastronomy ambassadors on an international level, the Jamón Ibérico de Bellota produced in our area stands out as one of the prime products of Huelva province. Although mainly produced in Jabugo, you will not find huge quantities of pigs or large swathes of Dehesa (farmland best suited for growing these pigs) however you will find the perfect climate for the salting and subsequent curing of the Jamón that makes it so world renowned.
A few other towns that we must see to get a full understanding of this gastronomic gem are Cumbres Mayores, Cumbres de Enmedio, Cortelazor and Cortegana all of which have history in this sector.
Many are the families who depend directly or indirectly on this impressive tree. The chestnut forests are a large part of the terrane between Aracena and Cortegana, they also give their name to the charming village of Castaño del Robledo. It is at the end of October that we begin to harvest these delicious christmas nuts. Also the change of colour from vibrant green to dark ocher via golden yellow to finally fall near the beginning December is worth the visit.
Starting in Aracena we can explore the Chestnut forests passing through enchanting villages such as Los Marines, Fuenteheridos, Castaño del Robledo or Galaroza.
In our Sierra you can also find the so called “liquid gold”. A symbol of the Mediterranean culture. The Olive grove had moments of great importance in our society as proven by the fact that most of the towns in our area had olive mills, however many of them have been lost through lack of use. Currently many companies still produce high quality oil with a Sierra stamp of approval.
We recommend visiting villages like Zufre and Encinasola, where local Organic Olive Oil is produced.
The biggest variety of mushrooms and fungi in Europe can also be find on our land. 10 days after the first rains of Autumn, if there is enough sunshine and no heavy frost, it’s the perfect time to go out into nature and find some of these exquisite morsels, among the cork oaks, pine woods and chestnut groves. A few of the mushrooms most highly sought after are the Amanita Ponderosa, Amanita Caesarea, and varieties of Boletus/Porcini.
You can find these fascinating mushrooms almost everywhere throughout the Sierra, however!!! You must always ask an expert before eating them as there are also poisonous varieties such as the Amanita Muscaria.
According to the RAE (Royal Spanish Academy) Dictionary, Rest’s second definition means: a relief from fatigue and fiscal or moral difficulties.
In our Cottages, you’ll be able to enjoy this definition thanks to the natural environment in which they are situated. Sounds such as the whistling wind, the hoot of an owl, the crow of a cockerel in the morning or even the sound of rain are rarely heard where most people live: in the cities.
As soon as we leave our normal environment, our senses begin to notice different stimuli. It is thanks to these new stimuli that we begin to forget the stress of day to day life and that begins our journey to rest and relaxation.
A confortable bed, the warmth of a fire, the warm brazer under the table… are a few of the things that will help our body relax, add that to a meal prepared using local high quality meat, with a salad made with ingredients from the vegetable garden and some good wine and a restful night is guaranteed.
The highest pleasure, without hassle, is resting.
(Enmanuel Kant)
