Pruna can be explored through two specific facets: hikes on El Terril and traces of a long history. A trail from Pruna leads up El Terril in the Sierra del TablĂłn, the highest point in the province of Seville at 1,129 metres. In the town, Castillo del Hierro and Iglesia San Antonio Abad, among others, represent different periods. Water, olive oil and religious customs are also among the topics you can take into account when planning a stay.
Hiking in the Sierra del TablĂłn
The Ruta Subida al Terril is rated moderate, is 6.90 kilometres long and is listed as taking 2 hours and 30 minutes. A stage of the Camino de Santiago de la Frontera from Pruna is also rated moderate; it is listed as 11.5 kilometres and approximately two and a half hours. The section of the Camino through the province of Seville starts in Pruna and runs just over eleven kilometres to Algámitas. The trail lengths provide a concrete basis for comparing options when planning your day, while the stated times are similar. Trail conditions may vary; check them before setting out.
The vegetation on the north side of the Sierra del Tablón is also part of the landscape: strawberry trees, holm oaks, rockroses and broom grow there. This means the hike can be considered not only in terms of distance and elevation goal, but also in terms of the plant life on this slope. The trail to El Terril combines views of the province’s highest point with the landscape of the Sierra.
Castillo del Hierro and the town’s history
Castillo del Hierro was built in the 13th century as a defensive fortification on the Castilian-Nasrid border. It is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural and is considered the only monument of Nasrid origin in the province of Seville. The ascent route starts at Fuente del Pilarillo and climbs approximately 800 metres with an elevation gain of almost 200 metres. As trail conditions and access rules may change, it is worth checking the situation before your visit.
Iglesia San Antonio Abad also offers its own perspective on the town’s history. It is a Baroque church that originally dates from the 16th century. Its features include numerous altarpieces, paintings and images, as well as an altar and a dome. The Cristo de la Vera Cruz, from the school of Pedro Roldán, is particularly noteworthy. The church and the fortified Castillo offer different focal points: religious art and architecture on the one hand, and a structure with a medieval border function on the other.
Waterfalls, springs and viewpoints
El Molinillo is about 1.5 kilometres from Pruna. There, the water of two streams plunges over a rocky ledge, forming a waterfall approximately 30 metres high. The waterfall provides the backdrop for a 16th-century grain mill. Another water feature is Fuente del Duque: it has four basins carved into stone and is fed by a spring whose water comes from the Sierra del TablĂłn.
Four kilometres from Pruna, the Ermita del Navazo, also known as Ermita de La Pura y Limpia, lies in an unspoilt landscape near the Sierra del TablĂłn. Its elevated location offers a viewpoint over the surrounding Sierras. The site is also used for observing the night sky; weather and visibility are crucial for this. The views and the night sky are therefore different reasons to include this place in your travel plans.
Olive oil and living traditions
The visit offered by Cooperativa Pruna San AntĂłn includes a stop at centuries-old olive groves, a visit to the oil mill and an olive oil tasting. Check the current offer in advance if you plan to include this activity. The extra virgin olive oil with protected designation of origin is obtained by simple cold pressing from the LechĂn, Picual, Hojiblanca, Manzanilla and Verdial varieties.
Local traditions also shape the area’s cultural identity. During the RomerĂa de la Pura y Limpia, a procession makes its way to the hermitage; the Virgin travels in a covered carriage drawn by two oxen. Event arrangements may vary, so it is advisable to check the dates and details before travelling. On Good Friday, Pruna also celebrates the SermĂłn del Descendimiento de Cristo, a rite with medieval roots that is still observed there.
Fuente de las Lavanderas commemorates the washerwomen with a monument. It is located beside the original Pilar, which was first used for agricultural purposes and later by women as a washing place. Together with the church, pilgrimage sites and local customs, this place complements the architectural and landscape attractions with a glimpse into earlier forms of everyday life.
Discover more destinations: Peñaflor, Hinojos, Esquivel, Pilas, Los Palacios Y Villafranca, Olivares, Tocina, Fuentes De AndalucĂa
For the broader travel overview: Seville.
