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Almonaster, one of the least spoilt villages of the Sierra de Aracena
By Jo Williams
Tucked away on the southwestern edge of the park
is Almonaster, one of the least spoilt villages of the Sierra. It
has a magnificent hilltop mosque dating from the 10th century situated
in amongst the ruins of a castle.
The mezquita's mihrab, the prayer niche facing Mecca,
is the oldest example of its kind in Spain. Inside the well-restored
interior are five naves, the mihrab and many arches supporting the
ceiling. Examples of many different building stages, some dating
from Roman and Visigoth eras, remain. Next to the mosque is a small
bullring, which you can see into by climbing the mosque's minaret.
The village's 14th-century Iglesia de San Martín
has an impressive Mudéjar doorway, the Puerta del Perdón,
bordered by an elaborately decorated archway. On the main square
is the small Baroque Ermita de la Trinidad, built in the 18th century.
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The narrow, quiet cobbled streets are lined with
small houses and their distinctive protruding
casement windows. |
Almonaster is famous for its Cruces de Mayo festival
during the first week in May. Women wear traditional Serrano dresses
that are brightly coloured and carry big bouquets of flowers.
The village's tiny paseo and mezquita is the perfect
setting for an atmospheric four-day Islamic festival held in October,
with stalls, music and performances.
The narrow, quiet cobbled streets are lined with
small houses and their distinctive protruding casement windows.
Bright bougainvillea cascades down whitewashed walls making this
one of the most picturesque villages in the Sierra.
You can walk or drive up the second highest point
of the Sierra, the Cerro de San Cristóbal (917m), for some
of the best panoramic views in the area.
Accommodation & restaurants
There are a few places to stay, including the Casa
García hotel with a good restaurant, while nearby are two
good places to eat, Bar Las Palmeras with a leafy, attractive terrace
and the more upmarket Rincón de Curro. Near the Almonaster
railway station are the Casas-Rurales Los Gallos, a collection of
charming self-catering cottages.
Walks
There are several walks around Almonaster. A linear
route of around three hours follows the PR A-5 footpath, which starts
from the road to Cortegana 1km out of the village. It goes to Cortegana
via the hamlet of Varedas. Off the road a kilometre out of the village
towards the N435 is the steep path up to the Cerro Cristóbal.
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