Aljaraque, Huelva: among pine forests, marshes and Andalusian devotion

Just eight kilometres from the city of Huelva, in the heart of the Tierra Llana region and next to the natural splendour of the Marismas del Odiel Natural Park, lies Aljaraque, a municipality that combines the tranquillity of an Andalusian village with the vitality of a modern town, surrounded by pine forests, mining history and deeply rooted traditions.

panoramic view of Aljaraque

Its municipal area is made up of four population centres: Aljaraque, Corrales, Bellavista and Dehesa Golf, all of which are different from each other, but united by the same welcoming character and a shared identity that has its roots in centuries of history. Aljaraque is now one of the most attractive destinations in the Huelva area, an ideal place both for those seeking rest and relaxation and for those who want to immerse themselves in nature or enjoy the culture and traditional festivals of south-western Andalusia.

A municipality with centuries of history

The history of Aljaraque dates back to ancient times. Its territory was inhabited by Iberians and Phoenicians, and later became a Punic factory in the Ría de Huelva. During the Andalusian period, it acquired a certain importance, and after the Reconquista it became part of the domain of the House of Medina Sidonia, whose lords promoted the repopulation of the territory.

blue flowers in the aljaraque

One of the oldest documents referring to the municipality is the Carta de Deslinde y Amojonamiento (Letter of Demarcation and Boundary Marking) of 1268, signed during the reign of King Alfonso X the Wise. Since then, the history of Aljaraque has been marked by its strategic location and by an economy based first on agriculture—especially cereals and olives—and later on mining, which transformed the landscape and gave rise to new districts such as Corrales.

old railway aljaraque

Over the centuries, life in the municipality has revolved around working in the fields, religious devotion and contact with nature. Today, although its economy has evolved towards construction, tourism and services, Aljaraque still retains that rural and peaceful spirit that makes it so special.

Heritage and places of interest

To stroll through Aljaraque is to discover a simple but deeply symbolic heritage. White churches, chapels among pine forests, archaeological ruins and reminders of its mining past make up a charming ensemble.

colourful houses in La Monacilla

Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios

The spiritual heart of the town is the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, a temple built in the 18th century on the remains of a previous building. Its tower, designed by Pedro de San Martín after the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, stands slender with its octagonal spire covered with tiles.

Church of Our Lady of Remedies

The interior, sober and harmonious, houses the images of the Virgin of Los Remedios —patron saint of the municipality— and Jesus Nazareno, carvings of great devotion among the locals. Its walls exude the history of a town that has found in this church not only a place of worship, but also a symbol of collective identity.

side of the Church of Our Lady of Remedies

Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios

On the outskirts of the town, among pine forests and sandy paths, stands the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, one of the most representative buildings in Aljaraque. Although it was built recently (between 2000 and 2003, by the architect Gonzalo Prieto Rodríguez), it has become the epicentre of the most important pilgrimage in the region.

With more than 1,000 square metres, it is the second largest chapel in the province of Huelva, surpassed only by El Rocío. Its interior, with three naves and a wooden roof, houses the image of the Virgin during the main days of the pilgrimage. The tiled altarpiece decorating the altar depicts the coronation of the Virgin by the Holy Trinity, and outside there is a large belfry with three bells, one of which comes from the old town hall.

Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies

San Sebastián Chapel

Dedicated to the patron saint of the municipality, San Sebastián, this chapel is located in the area known as Los Poyetes. Although only its ruins remain today, the place retains a strong symbolic value, as it was for centuries a meeting point for the locals during the winter festivities.

Corrales, the mining heritage

One of the most unique areas of Aljaraque is Corrales, a district that emerged thanks to the mining activity promoted by British companies in the 19th century. Walking through its streets is like taking a short trip back in time, to the era when the Tharsis Mines transformed the economy and architecture of the region.

houses in the farmyards

Among its most notable buildings are:

  • The Church of Nuestra Señora Reina del Mundo, built in 1956 thanks to the Tharsis Mining Company, according to plans by the architect Juan Manuel Rodríguez Cordero. With a single nave and a lowered barrel vault, it stands out for its sobriety and exterior harmony. Inside, it houses images of great artistic value, such as the Señor Cautivo, by Antonio León Ortega (1958), and the Corazón de Jesús, carved by Castillo Lastrucci before 1945.
  • The Casino Minero de Corrales, inaugurated in 1918, was for decades the social and cultural centre of the mining community. Even today, it retains its neoclassical elegance and tranquil atmosphere.
  • The old railway station, dating from 1920, and the pay office, also from 1918, complete the ensemble of industrial buildings that tell the story of mining in Huelva.
train in the corrals

Corrales retains the English feel that characterises the mining towns of south-western Andalusia: single-storey houses, orderly streets and a sense of calm that seems suspended in time.

corrales street

Bellavista and Dehesa Golf: the new horizons of Aljaraque

Bellavista and Dehesa Golf represent the modern face of the municipality. Both residential areas, surrounded by pine forests and wide avenues, have become places of rest for many Huelva residents who seek quality of life without straying too far from the capital.

wooden walkway in Bellavista

In Bellavista, the Church of Nuestra Señora de Bellavista stands out. It was inaugurated in 1991 and became a parish church five years later. Its patron saint, the work of sculptor Elías Rodríguez Picón (2005), is one of the most beloved by the locals. The parish priest, Don Paulino, who has been at the helm of the community for more than two decades, is considered almost a local institution.

panoramic view of Bellavista

For their part, Dehesa Golf and La Monacilla are home to some of the best golf courses and green areas in the area. The combination of nature, sport and tranquillity has made these neighbourhoods an example of sustainable development and integration with the natural environment.

flowers in Bellavista

Archaeological heritage: the Papa Uvas site

Just a few hundred metres west of the town centre is the Papa Uvas Archaeological Site, an enclave that takes us back thousands of years to the transition between the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. It is a large settlement with ceramic remains and structures that evidence the presence of agricultural and livestock communities long before the arrival of the Romans.

The discovery of tools and polished stone objects reveals the importance of this settlement in the prehistoric evolution of the south-west of the peninsula. Although still little known to the general public, it is a fundamental testimony to the remote past of Aljaraque.

Papa Uvas site

A privileged setting between marshes and pine forests

The landscape of Aljaraque is a perfect combination of the intense green of the coastal pine forests and the silvery glow of the Odiel Marshes, one of the most valuable natural areas on the Andalusian coast. Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, this enclave offers a unique panorama where migratory birds, tidal channels and salt flats coexist in a fascinating natural balance.

path in the Odiel marshes

The Odiel Marshes are undoubtedly the great ecological treasure of the area. Along its trails you can see flamingos, spoonbills and grey herons, especially on the well-known Isla de Enmedio, a place where pine forests and salt flats intertwine with the reflections of the river. Not far from there, the Burro Marshes complete this landscape full of life, home to amphibians, insects, reptiles and a surprising variety of native plants.

Odiel marshes

The surroundings of Aljaraque invite you to enjoy active tourism. There are ideal routes for walking, cycling or horse riding, and prestigious golf courses such as Bellavista, one of the oldest in Andalusia. Its proximity to the sea — with beaches such as El Portil (we recommend visiting the article) or La Bota just a few minutes away — also makes it a perfect destination for those seeking to combine nature and the coast.

sunset over the Odiel marshes

Culture, pilgrimages and festivals

Few towns in Huelva have such a rich and varied calendar of festivals as Aljaraque. Devotion, joy and Andalusian colour come together in pilgrimages, fairs and festivities that fill the streets with music, horses and flamenco dresses.

Pilgrimage of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios

Since 1955, Aljaraque has celebrated one of the most beautiful pilgrimages in the province. During the weekend of the Holy Trinity, thousands of people accompany the Virgin of Los Remedios to her chapel among the pine trees. The image, dressed as the Divine Shepherdess and carried under a silver canopy, is pulled by oxen or carried on the shoulders of the costaleros.

Procession of Our Lady of Los Remedios of Aljaraque

The atmosphere is unbeatable: more than two hundred enramás or booths —formerly made of eucalyptus branches— welcome pilgrims and visitors with songs, dances and typical dishes. The puja del Clavel, an auction of the bouquet of flowers carried by the Virgin, is one of the most eagerly awaited moments, as is the entrance of the procession into the pilgrimage grounds, an explosion of faith and collective emotion.

Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Remedies

Fiestas de San Sebastián

The patron saint of Aljaraque, San Sebastián, also has his own celebration. This festival, which was once deeply rooted in the community and celebrated in the middle of winter, disappeared in the 1970s but was revived in 2001 by the Fraternity of San Sebastián.

Today, every January, the residents celebrate a triduum, a procession and a day of fellowship in the countryside, where animals are blessed and wine, palm hearts and homemade sweets are shared. It is a more intimate but deeply moving festival.

Other festivals and events

The calendar continues with the Romería de San José Obrero (Pilgrimage of Saint Joseph the Worker) on 19 March; the Fiesta de San Pedro Apóstol (Feast of Saint Peter the Apostle) in Corrales on 29 June; and the Feria de Agosto (August Fair), four days of music, lights and attractions in honour of the Virgin of Los Remedios.

More recently, the Xaratfest, an alternative music festival held in September, has brought a modern and youthful touch, filling the streets with workshops, concerts and urban art.

flowers on a street in Aljaraque

Gastronomy and crafts

The gastronomy of Aljaraque reflects the essence of Huelva’s cuisine, which is simple and flavourful. Fish stews and fresh seafood take centre stage, accompanied by products from the countryside such as wild asparagus, broad beans and mushrooms. On holidays, Easter cakes and wines from the Condado de Huelva are a must.

In terms of crafts, Aljaraque preserves traditions linked to leatherworking and saddlery, producing unique pieces for horse riding and rural life. These crafts are still alive today thanks to the efforts of a few family workshops.

sculptures in Aljaraque

What to see and do in Aljaraque

In addition to its churches, chapels and festivals, the municipality offers many things to enjoy throughout the year:

  • Stroll through the pine forests and discover the network of trails that border the Odiel Marshes.
  • Visit the Casino Minero de Corrales and its historic surroundings.
  • Explore the Papa Uvas archaeological site and learn about the prehistoric origins of the municipality.
  • Play golf at Bellavista or La Monacilla.
  • Visit the beaches of El Portil and Punta Umbría, just a few minutes away.
  • Sample typical dishes in the bars and restaurants in the centre or enjoy a day in the countryside during the pilgrimages.
the monacilla in the aljaraque

How to get there

Aljaraque is easily accessible from the capital via the A-497 road, which connects it directly to Huelva in less than ten minutes. The A-49, also known as the Autovía del Quinto Centenario, provides quick access to Seville and Portugal, giving it a strategic location for both tourism and residential living.

Seville Airport and Faro Airport (Portugal) are about 130 kilometres away, both accessible by motorway, while the Madrid-Seville AVE high-speed train and the Andalusian rail network offer direct connections to the rest of the country.

cycle path in Aljaraque

What to see in Huelva

Since you are visiting Aljaraque, if you want to learn more about Huelva, we suggest other places that we have added to our map, so you can add them to your itinerary:

  • Bollullos Par del Condado: A place steeped in wine and religion. It is a 40-minute drive on the A-49.
  • Isla Cristina: If you want a place with a beach, this is a good option. It is a 37-minute drive on the A-49.
  • Villarrasa: An inland village with a lot of soul. It is a 37-minute drive on the A-49.
  • Zufre: Another inland village near the Sierra de Huelva. 1 hour 34 minutes on the N-435 and A-461.
  • Moguer: Visit the home of Juan Ramón Jiménez. It is a 28-minute drive on the H-31.
  • Bonares: A village where you can breathe in the purest essence of inland Huelva. 31 minutes away on the A-49.
  • Mazagón: Unspoilt beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, pine forests and a tranquillity that seems to stand still in time. 31 minutes on the H-30 and N-442.
  • Rociana del Condado: Its historic center has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site. 38 minutes via the A-49.
  • Galaroza: This white village in northern Huelva combines heritage and nature in perfect balance. 1 hour and 35 minutes away via the N-435.
  • Alosno: Mining history and birthplace of the fandango in Huelva. 43 minutes away on the A-495.

Aljaraque today: between tradition and modernity

In recent decades, Aljaraque has experienced remarkable population growth, driven by its proximity to Huelva and an enviable quality of life. The Bellavista, Dehesa Golf and La Monacilla residential developments have attracted hundreds of families seeking tranquillity without giving up city services.

However, despite its expansion, the municipality has managed to preserve its rural soul and Andalusian essence. The sound of drums at pilgrimages, the scent of pine trees and the reflection of the marshes at sunset continue to be the true protagonists of Aljaraque.

sculptures in the monacilla

In short, Aljaraque is a place where nature and tradition go hand in hand, a corner that combines history, devotion, landscape and modernity. A perfect destination for those seeking to discover the most authentic Andalusia, the one that breathes among the pine forests and the songs of a pilgrimage that, every year, fills the hearts of its people with emotion.

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