Stone walls with velvety green moss.
This village in the Sierra de Aracena is in one of the wettest areas in the whole of Spain, with average annual rainfall of 1100mm.
With its cobbled streets and its red-rooved white houses, the picturesque village has a traditional square, Plaza de España, with church, town hall and local shops such as chemist, grocers, tobacco kiosk/newsagent.
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Nuestra Señora Santa Ana church dates from the 18th century, and is built of brick in neo-classical style, with the footprint of a Latin cross, and a tower in two sections topped with tiled spires. Inside, you will find a baptismal font dating from the 17th century. Its two bells are known locally as 'la gorda' (the fat lady) and 'la chica' (the girl). It has Cultural Heritage status.
The village's history goes back thousands of years, with cave paintings found nearby, depicting animals, vegetables, moon and sun, as well as archaeological remains which date back to about 3000 BC.
In the autumn, the village is especially beautiful, with the trees boasting golden foliage, while the climbing ivy turns russet-red. The stone walls, typical of the Sierra de Aracena, are covered in velvety moss.
Geraniums in Santa Ana la Real.
Look out for the little shrine at the entrance to the village, la Hermita de San Bartolme, as well as the Fuente de los Tres Caños (the Fountain of the Three Spouts), which is still used to water people's vegetable gardens. For a fine panoramic view of the surrounding countryside, it is worth walking up to the highest part of the village, to the Cruz Del Vigia (Cross of the Lookout) on the Cerro Castillejo (Castle Hill).
Typical local dishes include bean and cod soup, potato gazpacho and pork and potato stew.
Santa Ana la Real has a number of important festive dates. Dia de los Quintos (1 January), Bollos de Pascua (Easter Sunday) and Corpus Christi, which is celebrated on a Thursday, Candelas de San Juna y San Pedro (23 and 28 June), and Santa Ana (24-26 July)
Santa Ana is located 90km north-east of Huelva. To get there, take the A92 towards Huelva, exit at Valverde del Camino, and take the N435.
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