Bollullos Par del Condado, Huelva: The Soul of the County among Vineyards and Legends

Between the Doñana National Park and the gentle rolling hills of the Huelva countryside lies Bollullos Par del Condado, one of those villages that surprises travellers with its rich wine culture and authentic traditions. A land of centuries-old wines, popular festivals and an interesting historical heritage, it is also the headquarters of the Condado de Huelva Designation of Origin, making this town a must-see for those who wish to discover the soul of the province beyond the coast and the mountains.

bollullos par del condado spain

In this article, we invite you to discover what to see in Bollullos Par del Condado, its main monuments, festivals and wineries, and why its history is so closely linked to vines and wine.

History of Bollullos Par del Condado

The foundations of Bollullos are as old as the time it takes for grapes to ripen. The origins of Bollullos date back to prehistoric times, with finds from the Palaeolithic and Bronze Ages, such as flint axes and a bronze idol now preserved in the National Archaeological Museum. The Roman era also left its mark with the remains of villas, columns and building materials that prove the agricultural importance of the area since ancient times.

Marble Idol
Marble Idol

After the Christian conquest in the 13th century, the territory was integrated into the County of Niebla, later passing to the powerful House of Medina Sidonia. The name ‘Par del Condado’ (Part of the County) comes from this period, when the town was not yet an administrative part of the county, but was ‘on a par’ with it in terms of importance.

In 1253, Alfonso X El Sabio promoted the repopulation of the area, and during the 17th and 18th centuries, the municipality experienced a period of expansion: the urban centre grew and vines became the main crop. The Bollulla wineries began to export wine to the New World and welcomed winemaking families from other regions, including France.

bollullos del condado spain

With the extinction of the feudal system at the beginning of the 19th century, Bollullos acquired the status of a town, and in 1948 it received the title of city. Since then, viticulture has continued to be the economic and cultural driving force, to the point of becoming the hallmark of the municipality.

Wine culture: the identity of a town

To talk about Bollullos is to talk about wine. The Condado de Huelva is one of the oldest designations of origin in Spain, and Bollullos is its epicentre. The main grape grown here is the Zalema, native to the region, from which young wines, fortified wines and the famous orange wine are made.

Huelva orange wine

Wine not only forged the wealth of a few, but also became a community issue. A key decision by Mayor Pérez y Vaca to distribute the land among its inhabitants allowed the entire village to participate in and benefit from the crop. This is the raison d’être of the grape harvest in Bollullos, a ritual that brings entire families together from the end of August to harvest the Zalema grape, the native variety of the County of Huelva.

Pérez y Vaca plaque

The sight of trailers loaded with grapes, measured by weight and alcohol content in ‘kilogrades’, heading for the cooperative and the wineries is the lifeblood of an economy that prides itself on being the headquarters of the Regulatory Council of the Condado de Huelva Designation of Origin. Wine is not only an economic product, but also an essential part of social life, festivals and gastronomy. The wineries become meeting places and wine tastings are part of the daily routine for visitors who come to Bollullos in search of authenticity.

What to see in Bollullos Par del Condado

Visiting Bollullos Par del Condado is like embarking on a sensory journey that balances the sobriety of its religious heritage with the effervescence of its wine-making legacy. The municipality invites visitors to follow a ‘wine route’ that is perfectly complemented by the discovery of its urban fabric, where civil and religious architecture go hand in hand.

Parish Church of Santiago Apóstol

This is the town’s main church and one of its most representative buildings. Built in the 14th century, it combines Mudejar elements with later Baroque alterations. Its tower, separate from the main body, stands out for its exposed stonework against the whitewashed rest of the church. It was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2007.

Parish Church of Saint James the Apostle

Inside, it houses a valuable artistic heritage that bears witness to the religiousness and splendour of Bollullos in different periods.

Plaza del Sagrado Corazón and Town Hall

The civic and religious heart of Bollullos beats in the Plaza del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. It is here that two key buildings converge: the Town Hall and the Parish Church of Santiago Apóstol. The Town Hall, a Mudejar-style building dating from the 18th-19th centuries, imposes its presence with a façade of semicircular arches on both floors, a testament to the civil architecture of the period and an ideal place to observe the life of the town.

Bollullos Town Council

In the centre of the square, the monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a white marble sculpture restored in 2017, visually links the two buildings, offering a striking photographic composition.

monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Finca Majuelo de Soto

A point of interest that combines oenology with unusual architecture is the Finca Majuelo de Soto. In addition to the typical farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and lemon trees, the estate houses a building with an irregular dodecahedron floor plan reminiscent of a circus tent. This bolted iron structure, reminiscent of Eiffel’s work, was originally conceived as a fairground booth for the Círculo de Labradores de Sevilla (Seville Farmers’ Circle) and ceased to be used for this purpose in 1930, becoming a warehouse and wine cellar. It is a bucolic and curious sight, ideal for photography, located on the way to the Ermita de las Mercedes chapel.

Majuelo de Soto Farm

Ruins of the Convent of Morañina

The Chapel of Nuestro Padre Jesús houses an anonymous 17th-century image of the Virgen del Socorro, which has a direct link to the Ruins of the Convent of Morañina. This Franciscan convent, founded in 1400 on the site of the old rural chapel of San Juan de Morañina, was a centre of pilgrimage until the 17th century. According to tradition, its name could derive from ‘where the girl from Guzmán lives’. Although the friars moved to Seville, taking with them the venerated image of the Virgin of Consolation, the history of the convent lives on in its Mozarabic remains of fired brick in Los Villares de Marchenilla, a reminder of the deterioration caused by the Confiscation Laws of 1836.

Ruins of the Convent of Morañina

Chapel of the Virgin of Las Mercedes

On the outskirts, 1.5 km from the village, stands the Chapel of Our Lady of Las Mercedes, patron saint of Bollullos. This slender, colonial-style temple, with its white and yellow façade, is a place of deep devotion. Its history is rooted in a 15th-century legend that tells how a shepherd found the image of the Virgin among some brambles and on a piece of Roman marble column, a remnant of a pre-Christian temple that is preserved in situ.

Las Mercedes Chapel

The path from the village allows the faithful to make the journey on foot, intensifying the meaning of the pilgrimage. A multitude of religious and popular celebrations take place on the esplanade outside. On 12 September, in honour of the patron saint, the whole village throws itself into the most eagerly awaited festivities of the year.

The Wine Cellar Circuit: History and Avant-garde

The real hallmark of Bollullos is its collection of wine cellars. Dozens of monumental cellars, some dating back to the 18th century, are scattered throughout the village. Wine is so fundamental that its place of worship is embodied in the Condado de Huelva Wine Centre.

Condado de Huelva Wine Centre

This centre is a jewel of modern architecture. Designed by Fátima Pablo Romero, its façade is a puzzle of mirrored rhombuses that reflect the surrounding vineyards and barrels, breaking with the landscape of whitewashed houses. Its interior, with multimedia and interactive elements, tells the story of the wine of the Condado, its link with the Discovery of America and the unique environment of Doñana. It is a cutting-edge space, ideal for visitors seeking to understand oenology with all five senses, with a tasting room where you can sample the famous wines (Condado Viejo, Pálido, Generosos de Licor, Jóvenes Afrutados) and vinegars. It is located next to the Vinícola del Condado cooperative, the largest in Andalusia.

Designation of Origin Condado de Huelva

In addition, Bollullos offers a wide variety of wineries to visit, from the oldest family-run establishments to large cooperatives. Among the most notable are:

  • Vinícola del Condado: the largest wine cooperative in Andalusia.
  • Bodegas Andrade: a family tradition since the 19th century.
  • Oliveros: specialising in young and natural wines.
  • Iglesias: founded in 1935, it continues to produce quality wines.
  • Sauci, Juncales, Convento de Morañina, Díaz and Acosta, among others.
Andrade Wineries

Many of them offer guided tours, tastings and wine tourism experiences. A very important date is October, when the Tapas and Wine Circuit is held, in which visitors tour wineries tasting glasses of wine accompanied by local tapas.

Festivals and traditions

Life in Bollullos Par del Condado is a never-ending cycle of festivals and traditions that mark the seasons, demonstrating an intangible heritage as rich as its built heritage:

The Annual Festival Cycle

The year begins with the Romería de San Sebastián, held on the Saturday closest to 20 January in the natural park of the same name. February brings the colour and transgression of Carnival, one of the most important and participatory celebrations in the town.

Holy Week in Bollullos is recognised as one of the best in the province, with the procession of seven mysteries and six canopies. From La Borriquita on Palm Sunday to El Cristo Resucitado on Easter Sunday, the brotherhoods (such as Cristo de la Vera-Cruz and Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno) fill the streets with devotion and processional art.

Black Velvet Processional Mantle, owned by the Brotherhood of Jesus Nazareno
Black Velvet Processional Mantle, owned by the Brotherhood of Jesus Nazareno

The month of May is adorned with the festival of the Cruces de Mayo, with brotherhoods such as Calle Niebla, Calle Santa Ana y Ntra. Sra. del Mar, and Montañina, competing in beauty and tradition. June welcomes the Veladas de San Antonio y San Juan, around the festivities of these saints.

Palio of Our Lady of Victory

The Patron Saint Festival: The Wine and Faith Festival

The festive calendar reaches its climax in September with the patron saint festivities, which are the very essence of Bollullos.

The 12th of September is the Day of the Virgen de las Mercedes, the patron saint. The town dresses up for the Main Function in her honour, culminating in the solemn night-time procession that winds its way through the streets until well into the early hours of the morning. This devotion extends to the Feria del Pueblo (Town Fair), held from 12 to 16 September, an event that not only honours the patron saint but also includes acts of exaltation of wine, reaffirming the town’s wine-producing identity. In addition, on 15 August, a solemn procession of Nuestra Señora del Mar is held through the streets of the town in honour of the Assumption.

Jesus Cautivo of Bollullos Par del Condado

The Rite of Fire: The Burning of the Gamonitas

Perhaps the most unique and immersive tradition is the Burning of the Gamonitas, which takes place on the eve of 8 December. It is a pagan festival with religious connotations, whose tradition dates back to an act of purification: the burning of household items and aromatic plants (thyme, rosemary, eucalyptus) to combat the epidemic of cholera that ravaged the County of Niebla.

Burning of the Gamonitas

Today, the tradition focuses on burning the common gamón (Asphodelus ramosus), making ‘gamonitas’ (torches or bundles) with the dry branches that are collected. The fire and smoke become a community ritual of purification and celebration on the eve of the Immaculate Conception. The religious connection is completed the following day, 8 December, when the Blessed Virgin of Las Mercedes returns in procession, commemorating the miracle of having freed her people from the epidemic.

The Bollullos Experience: Landscape and Gastronomy

The location of Bollullos Par del Condado, in the Tierra Llana between the Doñana National Park and the Sierra de Aracena, makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the province. However, the municipality itself offers a rich landscape dominated by vineyards, olive groves and strawberry fields.

The vast expanses of vineyards surrounding the village are a spectacle in themselves, especially during the grape harvest, and offer an ideal landscape for walks or excursions. This connection with nature is directly reflected in its gastronomy.

pastureland in Bollullos Par del Condado

Bollullos cuisine is traditional and hearty, rooted in the products of the land. Typical dishes such as lamb stew, habas cochas (broad beans), gazpacho, tostón con sardinas (fried bread with sardines) and migas (breadcrumbs) are part of its culinary identity.

Pastries are a chapter apart, with sweets such as torta real or ‘resobá’ and poleá. During the grape harvest, sweets made from grape must are produced, such as arrope and perrengo.

And, of course, the food must be accompanied by local wines: Condado Viejo and Condado Pálido, Generosos de Licor, and Blancos Jóvenes Afrutados. Special mention should be made of orange wine, a characteristic product of the province that sums up the creativity and use of local resources.

wine tasting in Bollullos del Condado

The restaurants in Bollullos, concentrated in main streets such as Avenida Veintiocho de Febrero, offer options that focus on this traditional cuisine, with notable establishments such as El Bodegón Abuelo Curro, Las Bodegas Roldán and Casa Braulio, where fresh fish, seafood, grilled meats and generous portions are the order of the day, often with the opportunity to sample these delicacies in an atmosphere that exudes wine-making tradition.

How to get to Bollullos Par del Condado

Bollullos Par del Condado, which acquired the title of city in 1948, enjoys excellent transport links with the Andalusian capitals:

  • From Huelva city: 38 km on the A-49, in about 25 minutes.
  • From Seville: 56 km on the same motorway, less than an hour.
  • By bus: the DAMAS company connects Bollullos with both capitals in journeys of around an hour.

Its location, between Doñana and the Sierra de Aracena, makes the municipality a perfect getaway from both Andalusian cities.

The Way of St James from Bollullos del Condado

Nearby places to explore

In addition, here are a number of destinations that we have included on our map, in case you are interested in adding them to your itinerary. Don’t miss them!

  • Isla Cristina: If you want a place with a beach, this is a good option. It is a 55-minute drive on the A-49.
  • Zufre: Another inland village near the Sierra de Huelva. 1 hour 25 minutes via the A-493 and A-461.
  • El Portil: A beach destination that is not too crowded. 43 minutes on the A-49.
  • Moguer: Visit the home of Juan Ramón Jiménez. It is a 28-minute drive along the A-49.
  • Villarrasa: An inland village with a lot of soul. It is a 13-minute drive on the HU-4102.

Conclusion: why visit Bollullos Par del Condado

Bollullos Par del Condado is much more than a wine-producing village. Its history, monuments, festivals and, of course, its wineries make it a unique destination in Huelva. Here, every corner exudes tradition and authenticity: from the devotion to the Virgin of Las Mercedes to the hustle and bustle of the late summer grape harvests, not to mention the hospitality of its people.

storks in Bollullos Par del Condado

Visiting Bollullos is like entering a territory where wine is not just a drink, but the common thread of an entire culture. A place where you can taste the essence of Andalusia through its heritage, its gastronomy and its customs.

To make the most of your getaway, here are some useful products you can purchase before your trip so that you are well prepared:

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