Valencina de la Concepción, one of the oldest settlements in the Western world
Enjoy the rich heritage and beauty of Valencina de la Concepción, a unique Aljarafe town in the province of Seville. A town in which the remains of one of the oldest settlements in the Western world can be found. Proof of this is the Pastora and Matarrubilla Dolmens, on display at the local archaeological museum.
In addition to its historical heritage, you will also experience one of the festivals in Spain that inspires the most devotion, the Torrijos Pilgrimage. It has been declared of an event of Andalusian Tourist Interest. It is also the only one in southern Spain dedicated to the image of Christ.
Valencina de la Concepción’s other unique feature is its surroundings, classified as an outstanding site under the Special Plan for the Protection of the Physical Environment. Come and explore its routes through beautiful landscapes with high ecological value, and be at one with nature.
Finally, enjoy the typical products of this Aljarafe town. This town is also on the Mosto Route, so you will have the chance to taste the traditional grape must produced in the Aljarafe, accompanied by the culinary specialities of this town.
Learn about the natural environment, archaeology and good food of Valencina de la Concepción. One of the first settlements in the Western world.
Getting to Valencina de la Concepción
If travelling by car from Seville, take the A-49 motorway to exit 1. Then, take the N-630 and pass through the town of Camas until you reach a roundabout where you must take the A-8077 that will take you directly to your destination.
Valencina de la Concepción has a train station; therefore, you can take the C5 Cercanías line from Seville. If you prefer to go by bus, the M-105, M-170, M-174 and M-175 lines of the Metropolitan Transport Consortium stop in this town.
Getting around
Walk through its streets, immerse yourself in its natural surroundings and, if you like, bring your bike. The town has bike lanes so you can cycle. It also has a taxi service.
Reasons to visit
- Do you like cycling? The bike lanes make it easy to get around on two wheels.
- Discover the archaeological site and the La Pastora and Matarrubilla Dolmens, both with architecture unique to the Iberian Peninsula.
- Sample Valencina de la Concepción’s typical dishes, including caldereta de venado and cola de toro. For dessert, try las mantas doblás. You will love them.
- In October, come to the Romería de Torrijos, declared an Andalusian event of Tourist Interest and considered one of the most important in Spain.
- Walk through the natural surroundings, classified as an outstanding site under the Special Plan for the Protection of the Physical Environment.
- Would you like to listen to good music? Come in November to the Jazz Festival and in September to the Concurso de Cante Flamenco para Aficionados.
- In September, experience the Festivity in honour of Nuestra Señora de la Estrella, the patron saint of Valencina de la Concepción. The event lasts nine days.
What to see
Begin your visit at the Nuestra Señora de la Estrella Parish Church in the town centre, in the Plaza Nuestra Señora de la Estrella. Dating back to the 17th century, the town’s main temple bears the name of its patron saint.
You can admire the Sacred Heart monument in the square opposite the church, where the Hacienda Tilly, with a beautiful Baroque entrance, is also located. It represents the olive-growing past of the town, although the building is closed to the public.
About four minutes away on foot is the Municipal Museum, in the Casa de la Cultura. It is located in the Plaza de España. Discover the importance of the location of Valencina de la Concepción in prehistoric times, where one of the oldest prehistoric settlements in the Western world was established. The ruins date back to 2500-1500 BC.
The town’s two dolmens, Pastora and Matarrubilla, can be seen at this museum. What is interesting about these dolmens is the interior corridor that ends in a circular space. Furthermore, they face away from the sunrise and look towards the sunset. It has been argued that, due to their orientation, they must have been sacred places.
Finish your tourist route at Hacienda Torrijos, located on the road to Salteras. This chapel is home to the statue of the Cristo de Torrijos, highly revered in the town. Founded in 1600, it has always attracted thousands of pilgrims. So much so, that the Torrijos Pilgrimage was established in the 1920s. The sculpture of Our Lady of the Stars is taken to this temple to greet the image of Christ. The event takes place in October and is considered unique in Andalusia, as the central character is Christ.
Places to visit
- Hacienda Torrijos Chapel
- La Pastora and Matarrubilla Dolmens
- Shrine to Nuestra Señora del Pilar
- Hacienda de Tilly
- Nuestra Sra. de La Estrella Parish Church
- Valencina Municipal Museum
Surroundings
Valencina de la Concepción is eight kilometres from Seville in the north of the Aljarafe region. Its natural surroundings have been classified as outstanding under the Special Plan for the Protection of the Physical Environment.
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