La provincia de Sevilla

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Life and landscape in a diverse and monumental province

Arahal

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Arahal, from a resting place to the home of artists

Who could have imagined that this ‘arrahal’, Arabic term for resting place for peasants and shepherds, would become the urban centre that Arahal is today. Here you can enjoy the warmth of its people who have been welcoming travellers for centuries. Find out for yourself, going to the bars and restaurants where they will make you feel at home. First of all, they will offer you their typical snack: the aceituna prieta, a local homemade delicacy. Arahal’s economy revolves around olive-growing. Indeed, it is one of Spain’s largest producers of table olives. Like its cuisine, flavoured with locally-produced extra virgin olive oil.

Arahal has always been a crossroads town, hence its open-heartedness and rich culture. You can feel the artistic passion of its people, a passion that is unlocked by flamenco. There is even a museum devoted exclusively to female flamenco performers. Arahal is the home of the Pavones saga, the family of the famous Sevillian flamenco singer Pastora Pavón, ‘La Niña de los Peines’.

This town also invites you to discover its streets, admire the stately houses, go into the baroque churches and, of course, hike along several routes through the Sevillian La Campiña.


Getting to Arahal

If you are coming from Seville, you can take the coach from El Prado de San Sebastián station (about 30 minutes).

If you come by car:

From Madrid, Jaén and Córdoba: take the National IV road to Écija, switch to the A-364 road towards Marchena, and then take the A-92 motorway to Arahal.
From Almería, Granada and Málaga: take the A-92 highway until the exit for Arahal.
On the Vía de la Plata motorway: get to Seville and take the A-92 motorway until the exit for Arahal.


Getting around

The best way to get to explore Arahal is by walking through its streets and strolling through its squares to discover the nooks and crannies that this La Campiña town has to offer.


Reasons to visit

  • Enjoy the town’s main festival in September, the Feria del Verdeo, which celebrates the olive harvest. It has been declared an event of Andalusian Tourist Interest.
  • Dare to sample the aceituna prieta, a typical, local snack in bars.
  • If you are passionate about flamenco, the Al Gurugú Flamenco Festival takes place in June, in honour of Pastora Pavón, ‘La Niña de los Peines’, whose mother was from Arahal.
  • Visit its Historic Site, designated a Site of Cultural Interest in 1979.
  • Take the ‘Pozo del Arca’ Healthy Lifestyle route, promoted by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Regional Government of Andalusia.
  • Enjoy tomato soup with mint for lunch, a traditional dish from Arahal. For dessert, order calabaza confitera.


What to see 

Come and discover Arahal’s historical heritage, which was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1979. Start at Plaza de la Corredera, in the centre of the town, where the 19th-century Town Hall with its tower stands out.

The nearby Casa del Aire is an old manor that houses the Museum of Women in Flamenco, a museum unique in the province. Continue through the streets of Arahal and enjoy several monuments with baroque façades until you reach Santa María Magdalena Church. If you visit on a weekend, you will likely see a wedding, because it is the most important parish church in the town. The Museum of Sacred Art is located inside.

Arahal has other religious landmarks worth visiting, such as La Victoria Church, the oldest in the town, the Holy Christ of Mercy, devoutly worshipped by the locals, and the former San Roque Convent. Without a doubt, another stop that cannot be missed is the Rosario Convent where you can buy sweets made by the Dominican nuns. They are famous for their canapés de almendra and tortas de ajonjolí.

Would you like to get some fresh air away from the centre? Well, that’s easy. There are several hiking routes to exercise your muscles, such as ‘Pozos del Arca’ and Guadaíra Green Corridor. You can also take the path to ‘La Mata’ farm, where you can discover first-hand the olive-growing experience, a long-standing tradition in this town. Enjoy Las Pedreras Lagoon, Pradera del Juncal and Seto del Castillo.


Places to visit

  1. Veracruz Chapel
  2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario Convent
  3. Shrine of San Antonio
  4. Nuestra Señora de la Victoria Church
  5. San Roque Church
  6. Santo Cristo de la Misericordia Church
  7. Santa María Magdalena Parish Church and the Museum of Sacred Art
  8. Marquis de la Peña Palace
  9. Museum of Women in Flamenco
  10. Municipal Theatre
  11. Former Marquis de Monteflorido Palace, now the Casa de la Cultura
  12. Las Pedreras Lagoon
  13. Pradera del Juncal
  14. Arroyo de la Alameda and Arroyo de la Lapa


Surroundings

Arahal is 47 kilometres from Seville, next to the A-92 motorway. This town is connected to other towns in the region, including Morón (17 km), Paradas (5 km), Carmona (26 km) and Utrera (25 km).

It is part of the Sevillian La Campiña, and its flat land is given over to olive trees and cereal crops. It also has grazing pastures.

Comarca
La Campiña
Extension
201.00 Km²
Altitude
118.00 m
No. of inhabitants
19.248

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