Carboneros
by Saskia Mier
The name Carboneros refers to the town’s former mining activity, which dates back to the times of the Carthaginian General Aníbal. The village is one of a small group of ‘new towns of the Sierra Morena’ founded by King Carlos III in the second half of the eighteenth century, and today has about 610 inhabitants.
History
The name of the town refers to the former wealth derived from its ancient mining activity, which dates back to the times of the Carthaginian General Aníbal. In the references that appear in the written sources of the silver mines in the Cástulo area, the Well of Baebelo is mentioned, identified with the mining town of Los Palazuelos, in the municipality of Carboneros, from which Aníbal obtained huge quantities of silver. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción
The most significant building in Carboneros is its church, dedicated, like so many others from the same period, to the Inmaculada Concepción. It was built in the second half of the eighteenth century, presenting a great architectural package in the purest Neoclassical style. It thus represents the new typology of the architecture of reason, which balances pure functionality and the geometrization of form. Its entrance is not in line with the street, but moves backwards, creating a false elliptical square as an urban space of respect. The façade, which makes no concessions to ornamentation, is made of magnificent ashlar masonry and has corner pilasters. With perfect symmetry, the central body consists of a semicircular arch emphasized by a Doric-Tuscan entablature crowned by a pediment and two large niches also flanked by pilasters. Four large oculi open on the second floor. The belfry, a later addition, emphasises that the church must be the tallest official building in the municipality. Internally, its floor plan, with a single nave, is rectangular and is covered with a half-barrel vault resting on false semicircular arches with geometric moldings. Located on Calle Constitución. (Location)
Posito de Labradores y Diezimo
This whitewashed stonework building is also from the late eighteenth century. It has a predominantly horizontal structure, with a lintel door that marks the symmetry, which is accessed through double stairs, flanked by two rectangular windows. The floor plan is U-shaped and has a single consistent height. The main nave is divided longitudinally by a semicircular arcade on square pillars, an arcade that runs parallel to the main elevation, followed by another series of semicircular arches. It has recently been restored as a library and cultural centre. Located on Calle Constitución. (Location)
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE
Embalse de la Fernandina
The surroundings of the La Fernandina reservoir are located to the east of the urban area, very close to the village of El Acebuchar. This spot offers beautiful vistas of Mediterranean pasture forest, with abundant holm oaks, and constitutes an ideal place for the development of extensive cattle ranching. From a geological point of view, slate is very abundant. The reservoir is also suitable for water sports and fishing. Located 7km east of the town, off the JV-6035. (Location)
HANDICRAFTS
The main craft of Carboneros is embroidery. Emblematic pieces are both made and restored extensively, particularly for the cloaks and canopies of the religious brotherhoods.
BUS SERVICE
There are various bus services from Carboneros. More>
GASTRONOMY
The gastronomy of Carboneras includes dishes such as hare, lamb, roasted or grilled pork and cumin salad and sausages such as chorizo or morcilla. In addition on the feast of all saints, sweets are prepared and at Easter the typical menu consists of a chickpea stew with cod.
Festivals
Popular festivals in Carboneros are Día de la Cruz, Fiesta de los Pintahuevos, Romería de San Isidro and Fiestas de la Fundación. More>
WEATHER FOARECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Carboneros. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Carboneros is located in the Town Hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Carboneros are Guarromán and La Carolina.