El Pedroso, on the doorstep of the Sierra Morena
Fall in love with the beauty of El Pedroso’s landscape. This town of white houses, surrounded by endless green mountains of the Sierra Morena Sevillana, is a marvellous rural tourism destination. Its privileged location within the Sierra Morena Natural Park offers a variety of routes and paths that can be explored by bike or on foot. This area is also popular for hunting and angling.
As with other mountain towns, the cuisine is another draw. Wild boar or venison appears in its traditional dishes. Local butchers make delicious, cured meats and pork products. Locally harvested wild mushrooms and goat cheese are also must-tries. If you wish to sample more delicacies, do not miss the Traditional and Artisan Products of Sierra Morena Fair held during the long Inmaculada weekend. This event showcases the town’s traditional cuisine, typical products and local artisan work.
The municipality also boasts invaluable architectural heritage. The remnants of its mining past can still be seen. Come and experience a town brimming with personality at the edge of the Sierra Morena in the province of Seville.
Getting to El Pedroso
To get to El Pedroso from Seville by car, take the A-4 motorway to the exit to Brenes on the A-8008 road. Then, take the SE-3101 to Cantillana, and, from there, the A-432 will take you straight to your destination.
From Córdoba, take the A-431 road to Lora del Río. Then, take the A-455 to Constantina, where the A-452 goes straight to El Pedroso.
From Mérida, take the N-66 road to Seville. At Zafra, drive onto the N-432 to Llerena. Continue along the EX-200 road that connects with the A-433 to Alanís. From Alanís, take the A-432 to El Pedroso.
If travelling by train, take the C3 line that connects Seville with Mérida and stops at El Pedroso.
The Damas or Valenzuela bus companies regularly run from Plaza de Armas bus station to Seville’s Sierra Morena with stops at El Pedroso.
Getting around
The best activity you can enjoy is trail walking through the Seville’s Sierra Morena. This small town can easily be visited on foot. Come and hike or cycle in this beautiful place.
Reasons to visit
- Admire its invaluable artistic heritage, including the first sculpture of the Immaculate Conception by the Renaissance master Juan Martínez Montañés.
- Try the local delicacies during the long weekend of La Inmaculada at the Traditional and Artisan Products of Sierra Morena Fair.
- Walk along the Cazalla de la Sierra route and discover the remains of Spain’s first ironworks.
- Take a guided tour to discover the La Lima iron mine.
- Walk along the beautiful path that links El Pedroso with the Shrine to the Virgen del Espino. Don’t miss the pilgrimage at the end of August.
- You can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as angling, hunting, hiking, cycling, among others.
What to see
This picturesque corner of Seville’s Sierra Morena offers endless ways to spend truly memorable days: outdoor activities, trail walking along the Sierra Morena routes or visiting its historical buildings.
La Consolación Church, the principal place of worship in El Pedroso, stands in the town centre. It is home to a variety of outstanding artworks, including the first Immaculate Conception made by the sculptor Juan Martínez Montañés, located in the Sagrario Chapel. There are also Renaissance paintings influenced by the Italian artist Raphael. Go to the nearby Shrine to Cristo de la Misericordia. This building used to be a hospital, and the image of Christ crucified is worth seeing.
From there, continue along the Paseo del Espino, which leads to the Shrine to the Virgen del Espino, a statue revered by the people of El Pedroso. The pilgrimage, which takes place at the end of August, is worthy of note. The tree-lined walk is lovely. You may come across locals visiting their Patron Saint. Once inside the Shrine, its size and charming Mudejar style architecture will surprise you. The building is thought to date back to the 15th century. Opposite the Shrine is another historical monument: the Cross of El Humilladero. Sculpted in 1540 from a single piece of white granite, it represents Mercy. It is interesting to find this artwork here, as this type of crosses is typically found in northern Spain.
La Lima iron mine is another interesting. The iron ore from this mine fuelled the industrial affluence of this town during the 19th century. Five kilometres away are the remains of the former El Pedroso ironworks. However, they can only be visited on a guided tour. This area was home to the first steelworks-mining complex in Spain. Finish your tour at the Mining and Writing Museum housed at the ‘Escuelas Nuevas’ Cultural Centre.
The natural environment is another major attraction at El Pedroso: the Arroyo de las Cañas trail leads to the Azulaque Viewpoint. You can also explore El Pedroso’s granite landscape and rocky outcrops. Moreover, if you visit the Mines, you can cycle there from el Cortijo La Lima.
Places to visit
- Cross of El Humilladero
- Shrine to the Virgen del Espino
- Shrine to Cristo de la Misericordia
- Nuestra Señora de la Consolación Church
- La Lima Mine
- ‘Escuelas Nuevas’ Cultural Centre with the History of Writing Room and Mining Museum
Surroundings
El Pedroso is 71 kilometres from Seville and considered the gateway to the Sierra Morena region. Situated on the foothills of Sierra Morena, amidst mountains of moderate height, the highest being the Cerro de La Lima at 678 metres. The landscape is dominated by holm oaks, cork oaks and olive trees. Most of its territory lies within the Sierra Morena de Sevilla Natural Park, and it is part of the Andalusian Network of Protected Natural Areas.
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