Gastronomy

The gastronomy in the mountains is based on the "cerdo Iberico" (black pigs) which thrive amongst cork oak forests in the hills of Andalucia.  They are farmed extensively in the "dehesas" of the Natural Park "Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche" in the north of Huelva.  The Iberico pork, its jamón (famous as pata negra), morcones, chorizos and lomo, are unique to the area. The autumn and spring mushrooms are a very traditional custom, and also the deer and young wild boar meat. Migas (a traditional dish made of bread crumbs) are very typical in the rain seasons.

Music

The house is in the region of Huelva where the popular music is fandango. The typical styles are Almonaster and Santa Eulalia

Visitor Attractions

The best know monument is Peine de Arias Montano (the comb of Arias Montano) since this is where this very well known wise man retired in the XVI century.

The Gruta de las Maravillas (The Cave of Wonders) in Aracena. This is a beautiful cave, the biggest and the most wonderful in the world. The beauty of its lakes, the spaciousness of its chambers and the marvelous colours of its wide variety of stalactites and stalagmites, form in its entirety something almost impossible to surpass.

There is also a beautiful castle in Aracena, the Arab Mosque of Amonaster, the roman walls in Aroche, and several castles in Mayores, Cortegana, Torres and Celtic military buildings in Encinasola, la Via Julia and a long etcetera. This area is full of medieval churches also.

La Rabida is the Franciscan Monastery situated in the heart of Columbus territory

The Doñana National Park is a mosaic of ecosystems. The diverse surroundings make it rich with ecological wealth that covers a natural area of 507,200 hectares. This area is protected land and is considered to be one of the most valuable natural landscapes in Europe.

Fiestas

The romerias in the spring and summer where people horse ride around the area, sleep in the countryside and carry saints and virgins´ sculptures is very typical. Fandangos are sung, especially in May in Almonaster.

The livestock fairs in Aracena, Aroche and Encinasola.

The carnival in February in Aracena.

Semana Santa, the Easter Week celebrations, ……

The Christmas´ Twelfth Night procession is very typical in Higuera de la Sierra.

During the summer there are many fiestas around the area, cultural weeks, music festivals, etc.

The Arabic Festival during mid-October in Almonaster La Real. The village plays host to a wonderful 4 day festival when the streets are filled with arts and craft stalls with a variety of performances and live music throughout the village.

Many villages, specially Cortegana, have organised and adequately marked routes that go through old routes that are delightful for those keen on hiking.

Horse Riding