Brenes, a riverside town a stone’s throw from Seville.
The beautiful town of Brenes sits between orange and olive groves on the banks of the River Guadalquivir. You will feel that time comes to a standstill in this charming corner of the Vega del Guadalquivir. Here you will enjoy the delicious cuisine, monuments, traditions and typical lifestyle of Sevillian towns.
You will find out during your visit that Brenes has a charming heritage and a fascinating past. Although its name can be traced back to the Arab period, it was already renowned in Roman times for the olive oil it produced. An industry that continued into the 19th century. One can still see some smokestacks from this period of economic prosperity that has now become a symbol of the town.
Fishing is a popular activity in this riverside town. If you enjoy this sport, you can catch some carp or barbel. The best way to eat it is marinated and fried in the bars or restaurants near Brenes. If you come in spring, ask for a snail tapa, a local delicacy. Typical dishes include menestra de alcauciles and habas con guisantes. Artisan ice cream and alfajores de obleas are two other treats.
The most famous festival is held in early October in honour of the patron saint, the Our Lady of the Rosary. It always coincides with the local Feria. Holy Week is also very popular with the locals. The garments and ornaments used by most confraternities are made in the town’s embroidery workshops.
Come and see what this riverside town, just a stone’s throw from Seville, has to offer.
Getting to Brenes
If you are travelling from Seville by car, the best route is the A-8009 road and then the A-8004. After passing through San José de La Rinconada, continue on the A-8004 until Brenes.
You can also reach Brenes by bus. Take the M-216 intercity line from Plaza de Armas Bus Station in Seville.
If you prefer to travel by train, the C1 and C3 Cercanías lines depart from Santa Justa Station in Seville and stop at Brenes.
Getting around
Discover this town while strolling through the old town or along the banks of the Guadalquivir. Go cycling or hiking in the natural surroundings.
Reasons to visit
- Come and fish in the River Guadalquivir. You will surely catch a carp, barbel or flathead grey mullet.
- Visit the embroidery workshop run by Fernández and Enríquez to see authentic baroque embroidered artwork. They are leaders in the production of embroidered ornaments for Seville’s Holy Week.
- Enjoy hiking one of the two routes included in the Route of the Knights of the Order of Malta. You will learn about the history of this beautiful town.
- Experience the pilgrimage to the Shrine to San Benito Abad de Castilblanco in August. This very emotive event brings together large crowds from many towns in the Vega del Guadalquivir.
- Try the fried marinated fish, cocido de habas y guisantes and menestra de alcauciles, all typical local dishes.
- Do you have a sweet tooth? Then, be sure to try the alfajor de oblea or palmeras de huevo in a local confectionery.
- The festival of La Virgen de los Niños, held on 2 February, should not be missed. The best part of the festival is the chocolatada organised by the Candelaria neighbourhood.
- If you like running, sign up for the traditional Carrera Popular on 1 November. Everyone is invited!
- Enjoy flamenco in August at the ‘La Naranja’ Flamenco Festival. It has been held every year since 1983.
What to see
To learn more about this town, start your visit at the Plaza Primero de Mayo in the town centre. Here you will find the Town Hall, the Vera Cruz Confraternity House and the Inmaculada Concepción Parish Church. The archbishops of Seville began to build this temple in the 14th century, which is why the tower bears their coat of arms. Notable within the church are the Mudejar-style coffered ceiling and beautiful baroque artworks.
Enjoy some of the monuments in Brenes, while you stroll along its beautiful streets. For instance, the smokestack known as ‘torre de la cigüeña’ bears witness to its industrial past. The monument that commemorates the 28th National Pilgrimage of the Vera Cruz Brotherhoods and Confraternities is also worth a visit. Located on Calle Real, this monolith made with Sevillian tiles reminds the event held in 2011.
Another monument dedicated to the Costalero is situated at Paseo del Agua. Opposite the monument is the Shrine to San Sebastián, built on the remains of a medieval temple. The shrine is home to the statue of the patron saint of Brenes. Nearby is the Hacienda de San Sebastián, which dates back to the late 17th century. This building, which was dedicated to olive oil production, is part of the town’s agricultural legacy. The façade and the mill tower have survived.
To complete your tour through Brenes, take a stroll along the banks of the River Guadalquivir, where you are likely to come across fishing enthusiasts. Try your hand at catching a local fish.
Places to visit
- Shrine to San Sebastián
- Mill Tower of the Hacienda de San Sebastián
- Smokestack-Tower
- Monument to the Constitutional Rights
- Inmaculada Concepción Parish Church
- Vera Cruz Confraternity House
- Monument commemorating the 28th National Pilgrimage of Vera Cruz Brotherhoods and Confraternities
- Monument to the Costalero or float-bearer
Surroundings
Brenes is 24 kilometres from Seville in the Vega del Guadalquivir region. The waters of the River Guadalquivir, which runs through the town, makes its lands fertile. There are many olive groves, cereal crops, orange and peach trees.
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