Sanlúcar la Mayor brings together two specific travel interests: churches and Almohad architectural history, as well as nature trails in the Guadiamar Green Corridor. There is also a seasonal lagoon, circular trails and festivals with their own traditions. When choosing where to stay, you can decide whether to focus on historic buildings or time in the natural environment.
Churches, Wall and Art
The Iglesia de Santa María has been protected as a Monument and listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) since June 3, 1931. The historic ensemble of Sanlúcar la Mayor has been listed as a BIC since November 14, 2006. The church was built as the parish church of a suburb outside and apart from the walled city. It is built of brick and has stone surrounds around its openings, stone columns and stone ribs in the presbytery.
The Iglesia de San Pedro del Castillo is Sanlúcar’s oldest church. The Iglesia de San Pedro is a three-aisled Mudéjar-style building and is recognized as a BIC by the Junta de Andalucía. Its tower is a former Arab minaret, separated from the mosque by a courtyard. The Iglesia de San Eustaquio is also divided into three aisles, with pointed arches resting on pillars.
Construction of the Almohad wall began in the late 12th century under the Almohads. It originally had 46 towers; a section about 65 meters long, with three towers, remains. The Casa de Cilla is a typical 18th-century Andalusian building and adds a more recent structure to the selection of historic architecture.
The sculpture of San Miguel is in the Gothic Flemish-Burgundian style and is attributed to Lorenzo Mercadante de Bretaña. It is displayed in the town hall in a case with controlled temperature and humidity. If you would like to see the sculpture, check visiting arrangements in advance.
Trails in the Guadiamar Green Corridor
Sanlúcar la Mayor is one of the municipalities in the protected Guadiamar Green Corridor landscape area. In its central section, the corridor crosses the municipality from north to south. It can be explored on foot or by bicycle for more than 70 kilometers, and there is a cycling route. The route can also be traveled on horseback.
The Las Doblas recreational area has an artificial, seasonal lagoon crossed by a wooden bridge. Its marsh vegetation is home to a diverse range of waterbirds. The Ruta Las Doblas is a circular trail around the lagoon, about three kilometers from the town center. This route includes an accessible trail with a wooden bridge, where you can observe birds, flora and fauna.
Another option is the Ruta Camino Viejo – Camino de la Dehesa, an approximately eight-kilometer circular trail of moderate difficulty. It passes through the protected natural area of the Green Corridor, by the Las Doblas recreational area and the lagoon. The details of the two trails can help you choose: the distance from the town center is given for the Ruta Las Doblas, while the Camino Viejo route is described by its length and difficulty level.
Festivals and Planning Your Visit
The Feria y Fiestas de Mayo takes place every May, but does not have a fixed calendar date. It is held exactly two weeks after the Feria de Sevilla and dates back to a livestock fair that took place on the first of May. Since the date varies, check the dates for the relevant year if you are planning a visit. Corpus Christi ends with a procession of the monstrance through the central streets and squares of Sanlúcar la Mayor, which are covered with aromatic herbs for the occasion.
The Ruta Monumental begins at a stop on Seville’s C5 commuter rail line. Check the current service before traveling. To visit the interiors of the monuments on the route, you must contact the Sanlúcar la Mayor Tourist Office in advance.
Discover more destinations: Martín De La Jara, Valencina De La Concepción, Montellano, Cañada Rosal, Almadén De La Plata, Las Pajanosas, San Nicolás Del Puerto, La Rinconada.
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