The 'jamón' (Iberican ham) museum was created as an Interpretation Centre for the Iberican Pig, providing information about the mountain culture of the Sierra passed down from parents to children.

The Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor stands next to the Castillo Fortaleza overlooking the village below. It is the oldest and most emblematic church in Aracena and its construction began at the end of the thirteenth century. The works stopped throughout the fourteenth century and resumed at the beginning of the fifteenth century.

The growth experienced in Aracena during the sixteenth century led to the construction of another church, in this case Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción, in the lower part of the village as it was difficult for many inhabitants to reach the church by the castle.

Cabildo Viejo is a fifteenth century building that has been used as a granary, town hall, prison and municipal government offices. The main entrance was made by Hernán Ruiz II in 1563, according to inscription. In addition to the date is the phrase "Verita de Terra Orta Est Justitia De Coela Prospexit".

The castle was built in the middle of the thirteenth century and remained in use until the early sixteenth century, when it lost its military functionality. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it was used again, as headquarters for troops during the conflict of the Portuguese Restoration and the French occupation in the War of the Independence.

Andalucia is justifiably famous for its excellent gastronomic scene. Using first-class ingredients grown throughout the region's lands and caught along its extensive coastline, cutting-edge dishes are prepared and presented with the flair and innovation for which Spain's chefs are so famous - although the simple, traditional tapas of cheese, prawns and of course jamon are just as recommendable.

Large numbers of jellyfish (Medusas in Spanish) have been a problem from time to time on certain warm Mediterranean beaches in the early Summer in recent years.

With quick and easy access from Malaga Airport, situated just outside the city, and a busy commercial port, it's no wonder that Malaga is a popular destinations for tourists and travelers alike. The city centre is located little more than 10 minutes walk from the coast where a cool drink awaits visitors at one of the many chiringuitos that line the beaches.

Various tourist boards have created a number of themed routes (called “Ruta de“ in Spanish) to help tourists explore the area with respect to a certain to area of cultural or historic interest. Some do make for a interesting and holiday and educational and largely natural drive.

If your home is your castle, then you won't be the first to decide that Spain is the best place for it. In reality, whether you are building, buying, remodelling or decorating, Andalucia is an ideal place to create your dream home.

To ensure that your real estate investment in Andalucia is sound, both structurally and economically, it is advisable to contract the services of a qualified property surveyor. That way, you will have a reliable building survey and property valuation on which to base your decision.

Andalucia exports nearly 100 million euros in furniture every year - and this is only 14 per cent of the regions overall furniture production. Combine the region's prolific production with a burgeoning import market - especially in areas heavily populated by foreigners - and you can be sure to find everything you will need to furnish your home.

Investing in a Spanish property leads to the inevitable issue of property management, and this is not a problem in Andalucia, especially along the Costa del Sol, where a wide variety of companies and specialised professionals offer a range of services, which fall into three basic categories.

Málaga's Holy Week celebrations were declared to be of interest to International Tourism in 1965 and they have also obtained the regional stamp of approval "Fiesta of National Interest". Thousands of visitors from across Spain and abroad come to follow the processions throughout the city's historic centre.

Jaen capital is yet another Andalusian city that has a certified "Fiesta of National Touristic Interest" and as in every other corner of the province, jinienses (residents of Jaen) believe their particular processions are without a doubt the most beautiful in all of Spain.

Like so many others, the Holy Week processions in Huelva are certified as "Fiesta of National Touristic Interest" and thus touted as one of the best in Spain (we'll leave that to each visitor to decide). Locals undoubtedly rate this as one of their biggest and best festivals (after the carnival perhaps?).

Processions take place throughout the province along with Passion Plays as well. There is one more special claim to fame by the provincial capital in that no where else in Andalucia can you experience Semana Santa with the Alhambra in the background.

Semana Santa is celebrated in Córdoba capital and throughout the province with numerous villages having obtained the government stamp of approval "Fiesta of National Touristic Andalucia".

Semana Santa in Cádiz province is celebrated with great fervour and passion. The provincial capital, Cádiz, holds tremendous, extravagant processions - on par with those of all the other provincial capitals in Andalucia. Certain towns make an extra effort at Semana Santa and are, therefore, worth a special visit. These are: El Puerto de Santa María, Jerez de la Frontera, Arcos de la Frontera and Chiclana de la Frontera.

We hear a lot about Holy Week in Seville and a few other provincial capitals like Huelva and Málaga, but very little about Almería. You might be surprised then to learn that Almería deserves more than a short visit at this time of year. In fact, like so many towns and cities throughout Andalucia.