El Madroño, rural tourism in the Vía de la Plata
Do you enjoy nature and absolute peace? Then El Madroño is the place for you. Located on the Vía de la Plata, it is one of the smallest towns in the province of Seville. The town gets its name from the abundant presence of strawberry trees in its surroundings. You will relax and escape your stress once and for all. Experience the pleasure of waking to the sound of birds at dawn and enjoy the quality of life this place offers.
With barely 400 inhabitants, the town maintains its deep-rooted customs. The two main local festivals are Las Cruces de Arriba y Abajo and the event celebrating El Madroño’s independence from El Castillo de las Guardas in 1921.
Nonetheless, its most outstanding attraction is the beautiful natural surroundings. Here, on the foothills of Sierra de Aracena, you can discover rock engravings at Cerro de El Riscal and the Encina de los Perros Natural Monument. This enormous tree provides 600 square metres of shade.
Who would want to miss these wonders?
Getting to El Madroño
If you travel by car from Seville, take the A-66 Ruta de la Plata motorway, and then take exit 782 towards the N-433. When you arrive at El Castillo de las Guardas, follow the A-476, and then enter the C-421 until El Madroño.
The town does not have a train station, but you can take a bus from Plaza de Armas Bus Station.
Getting around
Take in the natural surroundings of El Madroño on foot. You can go hiking or bring your bike and cycle around this beautiful town.
Reasons to visit
- Try the delicious local cuisine, especially the sopeao and the caldereta de chivo.
- Explore the four villages in El Madroño to learn about the local history.
- Visit San Blas Church, dedicated to the local patron saint, during the festival in February and have your bread roll blessed as the locals do.
- The Encina de los Perros Natural Monument is a sight not to be missed. This tree, which is one kilometre and a half from the town, casts a shade that is over 600 square metres.
- Enjoy the fiestas de las Cruces de Arriba in mid-May and de Abajo in July. They are quite an event.
- A little less than two kilometres from El Madroño, on the steepest slope of Cerro de El Riscal, are rock engravings that date to the Middle Bronze Age.
- Are you looking for peace and quiet? This is the perfect place to enjoy rural tourism.
What to see
Visit San Blas Church, home to the statue of the patron saint. The temple is in the Plaza de la Constitución, the town’s nerve centre.
Las Cruces Chapel is another historical monument. Inside are the Cruz de Arriba, whose festival takes place in mid-May, and the Cruz de Abajo, held in July. These festivals are deeply rooted in tradition and eagerly awaited by the locals. The villages that belong to El Madroño also celebrate this devotion to the Cross.
Last but not least, enjoy a hiking route in the area. Visit the four villages or go to the Encina de los Perros Natural Monument. It is only one kilometre and a half away, and the path is easy to walk. The Cueva del Pobre rock engravings at Cerro de El Riscal are also in a protected natural area; however, access is restricted.
Places to visit
- Las Cruces de Arriba and Abajo Chapels
- San Blas Church
- Village of El Álamo and its shrine
- Encina de los Perros Natural Monument
- Rock Engravings at Cerro de El Riscal
Surroundings
El Madroño is 77 kilometres from Seville. It is located on the foothills of Sierra de Aracena, in the Vía de la Plata tourist region. The municipality encompasses four villages: El Álamo, Juan Antón, Juan Gallego and Villagordo.
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