La provincia de Sevilla

Our province

Life and landscape in a diverse and monumental province

Villanueva del Río y Minas

6915
4

Villanueva del Río y Minas, a wide variety of tourist attractions 

A wide variety of tourist attractions awaits you at Villanueva del Río y Minas. This town in Vega del Guadalquivir is an all-round destination. You will be able to enjoy nature, visit a rich historical heritage, practise adventure sports and sample delicious food. 

Nestled on the foothills of Sierra Morena, its scenery is impressive. Exploring the trails in the Arenales del Parroso Nature Reserve or canoeing on the River Huéznar are just some of the activities it offers. 

You can also discover the Mulva-Munigua Roman city nearby, one of the most extraordinary and beautiful archaeological sites in Spain. The ruins consist of a sanctuary, thermae and a necropolis. This impressive city was, together with Itálica, one of the most significant in the province. 

The old mining town of Minas de la Reunión is another relevant historical site. It was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2002. The working-class neighbourhood and coal mining shafts still remain. 

Villanueva del Río and Minas also boasts festivals and traditions. Most locals are devotees of Saint Barbara, the patron saint. The traditional miner’s stew is typically served during these celebrations. 

Come to Villanueva del Río y Minas and choose what kind of tourism you like, culinary, adventure, industrial, nature, monuments or leisure. You can choose from a wide variety of options. What do you fancy?


Getting to Villanueva del Río y Minas

If you travel by car from Seville, take the A-4 motorway to exit 506. Then, take the SE-4107 that links with the SE-4104 at Guadajoz. Once you get to Alcolea del Río, continue on the A-436 and then take the first exit towards the SE-198. You will reach your destination soon after.

This town has a train station. You can take a Medium Distance line or the C3 Cercanías line from Seville. You can also get there by bus from the Plaza de Armas station in Seville. 


Getting around

Walking and discovering its town centre and its natural surroundings is a real pleasure. You can also bring your bike, as the town has bike lanes. Furthermore, there is a countless number of sports and adventure activities to enjoy surrounded by nature.


Reasons to visit

  • Be amazed by the Roman Mulva-Munigua Archaeological Site. A 4th-century BC Roman city that still preserves its sanctuary, remains of houses, thermae, necropolis and even a basilica. 
  • Are you a thrill-seeker? Canoe down the River Huéznar. You can enjoy slalom canoeing in its whitewaters. 
  • Visit the old Minas de la Reunión mining area and discover its coal industry. Its mines were the driving force of Villanueva del Río y Minas’ economic growth for centuries. 
  • You can hike, bike or travel on horse through the Arenales del Parroso Nature Reserve, or even go climbing. 
  • Come on the 4th of December to celebrate Saint Barbara’s Day, the town’s patron saint. Sample the potaje minero, a typical local dish at the Plaza de España.
  • Are you into sports? Sign up for the Subida Cicloturista a Munigua in March, or the Triathlon Cross in August. Sports events that have been taking place for over twenty years.
  • Relax in the picnic area of the Parque Fluvial Rivera del Huéznar. You can cycle along its bike lane or enjoy a ride on the zip line. 


What to see 

Start your route at the Santiago el Mayor Church on Calle Nueva. It is home to valuable 16th- and 17th-century gold and silver artefacts. Next to the church are the ruins of what was the Palace of the Marquises of Villanueva. 

Visit the former mining town, which is still the most densely populated. In the Blas Infante neighbourhood, you can see the shaft number 5 that is still in perfect conditions. It was used to extract coal from the mines in this area. Noteworthy also are the 19th-century colonial houses, a period of great industrial splendour. Another remarkable building is the Shrine to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners. It is located in the north next to the lake. The pilgrimage takes place here in May. 

About eight kilometres from the town is the Roman Mulva-Munigua Archaeological Site. This 4th-century BC Roman city has thermae, a forum, remains of houses, a basilica, a necropolis and a sanctuary; its most significant monument. 

Finally, why not enjoy some adventure sports? You can canoe on the River Huéznar or go climbing in Arenales del Parroso Nature Reserve. This area offers different routes to explore on foot, by bike or on horse.


Places to visit

  1. Mulva-Munigua Archaeological Site
  2. Shaft 5 Historical Site
  3. Santiago el Mayor Church
  4. Ruins of the Palace of the Marquises of Villanueva
  5. Shrine to St Barbara


Surroundings

Villanueva del Río y Minas is 51 km from Seville in the Guadalquivir-Doñana tourist region, in the Vega Alta del Guadalquivir area. Las Minas de la Reunión, declared a Site of Cultural Interest, and the Mulva-Munigua Archaeological Site are close by.

Comarca
Guadalquivir-Doñana
Extension
150.70 Km²
Altitude
52.00 m
No. of inhabitants
4.860

0 comments

New comment

The comments are moderated, so it takes a while to appear. If they contain offensive language they will not be published.