Peña Maya, the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and the Vía Verde del Guadiana showcase El Almendro from different perspectives: as a place with a distinctive geological formation, a history of architecture and designated routes. This lets you choose between landscapes, cultural heritage and outdoor activities when planning your trip.
Peña Maya and the views of two towns
At the northern edge of the town centre lies Peña Maya, a rugged geological formation dating from the Quaternary. It is about 100 metres high. From the summit, you can enjoy views of El Almendro and Villanueva de los Castillejos. The approximate height and geological classification describe two different aspects of the rock: its size and its geological period. Together with its location by the town centre, these features make Peña Maya a distinctive landscape attraction, separate from El Almendro’s historic buildings.
Church and mill: the town’s architectural history
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is the oldest building in El Almendro; its construction dates back to the 16th century. It is listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. Its original layout comprised three naves with columns and a wooden Mudéjar roof structure. The information about its origins and original architectural form offers two ways to appreciate the church: its long history and the layout of its historic interior.
Another building from the town’s history is Molino Pie de Castillo. The mill is one of the few 18th-century grain mills still preserved in El Almendro. While the church stands out for its age, protected status and architecture, the mill draws attention to the history of grain milling. The two buildings therefore represent different aspects of the town’s architectural heritage.
Danza de los Cirochos and Romería
The Danza de los Cirochos, also known as the Sirocos, honours the Virgen de Piedras Albas, the patron saint of El Almendro and Villanueva de los Castillejos. A description from 2011 places the route at the Ermita de la Virgen de Piedras Albas and its surroundings in the Prado de Osma, as well as through the town centres of both towns. The same description records a performance as part of the festive religious celebrations of the Romería de la Virgen de Piedras Albas.
Routes to help you plan
The section of the Vía Verde del Guadiana within the municipality of El Almendro is 3.20 kilometres long. In December 2023, signposting work was completed on the Sendero SL-A-344 El Almendro-Piedras Albas, including an information board at the starting point, directional signs and trail markers. These are two named route options with different information available: the length is given for the Vía Verde section, while signposting work is documented for the Sendero. Before setting out, check the condition of the individual markers before relying on them.
A taste of local produce
Visitors to the Centro de Interpretación can explore a range of topics about El Almendro across its two buildings. These include olive cultivation and olive products, jams and preserves, cheese, pork, bread and traditional sweets. Gurumelo and Turma are also featured, with Turma highlighted as the main product. The topics range from agricultural produce to food products and sweets. This offers a different perspective when choosing what to focus on than the church, mill or routes: here, the emphasis is on learning about local products.
Whether you want to get to know El Almendro mainly through its landscapes and routes, historic buildings or the Danza de los Cirochos, these topics offer different starting points for planning your trip without requiring a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: San Juan Del Puerto, La Nava, San Silvestre De Guzmán, Lucena Del Puerto, La Palma Del Condado, Campofrío, Nerva, Villalba Del Alcor.
View the regional travel overview: Huelva.
