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A short walk from your cottage, along country lanes lined with stone walls,
takes you to the pretty village of Alájar with its white houses and winding,
cobbled streets. Some of the bars and restaurants stand out for their cosiness
and character. High above the cluster of white houses towers la Peña de Arias Montano,
a craggy cliff with a sixteenth century hermitage set on its peak.
Alájar's name comes from the Arab word for stone, and the fact is that it is a
stony peak that dominates the village and presides over the life and doings of its
836 inhabitants. This peak, called Peña de Arias Montano (after Philip II's unorthodox
minister who on retiring felt drawn to this land), next to the Hermitage of
Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, and the charming layout of the town of Alájar shines
whitely against the green of the
surrounding forests and meadows. You are visiting an area where fine specimens of
Iberian swine are bred. You will find shops where you can buy all kinds of sausage
meats, sausages, and of course, hams from the acorn-fed pigs.
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Restaurants
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Casa El Padrino
This old farmhouse belonged to Benito Arias Montano in the year 1527, was the
residence of the Cardinal Cienfuegos in the year 1775 and was transformed in 1984
into a restaurant. The dining room was the actual chapel. The splendid food is
based on old recipies from the village.
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El Corcho
This old theater and cinema of Alájar has been converted into a restaurant.
Corcho means cork. The decoration of the restaurant is a creation of the owner
and local artists, specialised in working with cork. Amazing.
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La Botíca
olive mill of 1641 later converted into a bodega and horse stable then used as
a lemonade factory. Another good place to eat.
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Aracena
Aracena, the main town in the park, is only a twenty minute drive along scenic
roads from the Molino. It boasts a fine thirteenth century church, built on a hill
by the Knights Templar, who were given dominion over the area in 1267.
Beneath this hill, crowned by the church, lies the Gruta de las Maravillas
(Cave Of Wonders), one of Spain's most impressive caves.
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Welcome to the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park, declared as
such in 1989. With its rolling hills and clusters of white villages, this area
can be found at the western end of the Sierra Morena, the longest of Spain's
mountain ranges. With only 40,000 inhabitants scattered over its 3000 square
kilometres, it makes for an ideal destination for walkers and nature lovers looking
to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
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Whatever the season the Sierra has something to offer its visitors. Springtime
brings an incredible profusion of colourful wildflowers: irises and orchids,
peonies and gladioli. Summer is fiesta time, when the deserted village streets
slumbering in the stifling heat suddenly spring to life as the gentle night breezes
bring their welcome relief, and people spill out into the squares to sip ice cold beer.
Colour returns to the countryside in autumn as the leaves of chestnuts and poplars,
walnuts and figs, turn from green to gold, red, rust and brown.
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When out exploring the Sierra you may follow many of our own marked routes as
well as the Long Distance (GR) and Short Distance (PR) trails. Please remember
to close all gates behind you, never light fires unless in a designated barbecue
area, and finally, beware of the bulls!
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With the late autumn and winter rains the parched dusty earth takes a welcome drink, and within days the Sierra is lush and green again, enticing the visitor to venture out on a clear bright winter's day.
There is no heavy industry in the Sierra, the lack of which is most evident in the quality of the air - clear and fresh, with the fragrances of wild mountain thyme, rosemary and pine competing with each other. Many of the villages are dependent on the jamon industry, the curing factories mainly in and around the village of Jabugo, renowned throughout Spain for its quality hams. Herds of the black Iberian pig grazing among the groves of cork and Holm oak are a common sight, where in autumn they feast on the falling acorns. Other local produce include sweet chestnuts, walnuts, honey, goat's cheese, and the much prized wild mushrooms, when in autumn you will see locals sneaking off into the woods, armed with a basket and a pocket knife. Where the best mushrooms grow is a highly guarded secret.
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