La provincia de Sevilla

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Palomares del Río

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Palomares del Río, olive-growing haciendas and devotion to Our Lady of El Rocío.

Palomares del Río, a town in Seville’s Aljarafe region, is notorious for its olive-growing tradition. Like other towns in this region, its architectural heritage consists primarily of olive-growing haciendas, the mainstay of its economy until the mid-20th century. 

As you stroll through the streets of Palomares del Río, you will find traces of its agricultural past in buildings that have now been restored for cultural purposes. Such is the case of Hacienda Ulloa, today the Casa de la Cultura. However, the town’s most significant architectural treasure is the 12th-century Arab Baths. A hammam that is unique in the province of Seville, located in a protected archaeological area. 

Apart from the architecture, this Aljarafe town is also on the Mosto Route, the typical drink of the region. It is also on the Rice Route as such is the fame of its signature dish, arroz caldoso con pollo de campo. Like other neighbouring towns, it has an intense devotion to the Virgen del Rocío. The moment when the wagons set off to her shrine is one of the most eagerly awaited each year. 

Visit Palomares del Río, a place where local customs blend with the traditions of Aljarafe. 


Getting to Palomares del Río

If travelling by car from Seville, take the A-49 motorway until the exit for the A-8062. Pass through the towns of Bormujos and Mairena del Aljarafe to enter the SE-3303 to Mairena/Palomares. You will reach your destination soon after. 

This town does not have a train station. Seville’s Metropolitan Consortium runs a bus service –M-142 and M-152– from the Plaza de Armas Bus Station.


Getting around

Strolling through the centre of Palomares is a pleasure. You will discover its historical buildings. Alternatively, you can also hike or cycle in its natural surroundings. 


Reasons to visit

  • Explore its streets and admire the old olive-growing haciendas that are part of its historical heritage. 
  • Be amazed by the 12th-century Arab Baths that are unique in the province of Seville. They are very well preserved and have been declared a Site of Cultural Interest. 
  • Enjoy a pleasant walk through the Razo de Ugena Park, a picturesque corner of this town. 
  • Experience the Feria de Palomares del Río in September, coinciding with the festival in honour of the patron saint, the Virgen de la Estrella. 
  • If you are a devotee of the Virgen del Rocío, be sure to come on the day the town’s wagons set off. It is a very emotional and eagerly awaited moment for the locals. 
  • Try Palomares del Río’s must wine and arroz caldoso con pollo de campo. You will surely want to have more. 
  • Discover the natural surroundings walking on the trails around the River Pudio. You can do it on foot or horse, or by bike. It is up to you. 


What to see 

Most of Palomares del Río’s historical heritage is concentrated around calle Iglesia. Here you will find the Nuestra Señora de la Estrella Parish Church, a Mudejar-style temple. However, you will see late Baroque elements on its façade and bell tower. The Casa de Cultura is also on the same street, in the former Hacienda Ulloa

This building is part of the town’s olive-growing past. An 18th-century farmstead or hacienda that still preserves its mill, counterweight and part of the manor house. 

San Rafael is another historical hacienda. Today, only the lookout tower, which can be easily seen from the street, remains. The building itself is now a housing complex. The same applies to the former Hacienda Santa María, which now houses the Virgen del Rocío social club. 

Leave the town centre and head towards the outskirts in the direction of Gelves. The 12th-century Arab Baths, Palomares del Río’s greatest treasure is located here in a protected archaeological site. They are in an excellent state of conservation and have been declared a Site of Cultural Interest

After admiring these architectural remains, unique in the province of Seville, follow a trail close to the River Pudio. You will be delighted with the scenery. 


Places to visit

  1. Arab Baths
  2. Nuestra Señora de La Estrella Parish Church
  3. Casa de Las Luces, Manuel Casado Moreno
  4. Hacienda Ulloa 
  5. Former Hacienda Rafael lookout tower
  6. Hacienda Santa María


Surroundings

Palomares del Río is 12 kilometres from Seville in the Aljarafe region. It is also close to the Vega del Guadalquivir and the River Pudio. 

Comarca
Aljarafe
Extension
13.00 Km²
Altitude
35.00 m
No. of inhabitants
8.552

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