Herrera

HERRERA

by Saskia Mier

Herrera is an archaeological paradise with around ninety sites. It has about 6,500 inhabitants.

HISTORY

The foundations of Herrera as a town were produced in 1631 as a result of wanting to obtain the Estepa Council after continuous wars in which Spain was part of during those years, as well as the urgent aid requested by King Felipe IV to support these wars.

These wars led to a repopulation in Herrera from Estepa and some families originating from the Kingdom of Portugal, Kingdom of Leon and Galicia. In 1634 other inhabitants from the surrounding villages arrived and settled in Herrera. Later, between the years 1700 and 1750, there was a strong immigration of inhabitants from Marinaleda to Herrera.

THINGS TO SEE

Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago El Mayor
The church was founded in 1657, and restored in 1780. Within its interior are a selection of images and sculptures dating from 1600 to 1900, by artists such as Castillo Lastruci and Francisco Buiza. Located on Calle Iglesia.

Ermita de la Concepción
The construction began around 1732 and the chapel was completed in 1749 with a steeple tower, holding a statue of the Inmaculada Concepción dating to the seventeenth century.

The work of the Hermitage was financed by means of donations by the inhabitants of Herrera. In 1929, a clock was attached to the bell tower, which was bought by the Town Hall. Located in the Plaza Muñoz Olivé.

Museo de Medicina Antigua
The Museum of Ancient Medicine, Natural Sciences and Archeology offers a pleasant, instructive and clear visit, with different levels of information. Within the exhibition of Ancient Medicine, visitors can contemplate how the medicine of our most remote ancestors and utensils used by the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Age men were created and used up to the Iberian Period. It continues with the beginnings of current medicine and nursing, represented by some 700 medical-surgical and pharmacological instruments of the Greco-Roman Age, with a chronology ranging from the second century BC until the sixth century DC. The section of Natural Science consists of several hundred conch shells and starfish from the different oceans, butterflies and insects from all continents, as well as a large number of curious fossils and minerals. There are also a large number of birds and mammals.

The Archeology section has the oldest remains found in its surroundings of all the ages and cultures of Andalusia. Located on Camino de las Eras.

Opening Times:
Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00-14:00hrs
Thursday-Saturday, 16:00-20:00hrs
Consult for group visits
Price: Free Entrance
Tel: 954 01 30 12

THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE

Fortaleza Árabe de Alhonoz
The word Alhonoz meaning "the last frontier", appearing for the first time during the administrative divisions that the Moors made. The ruins of the castle consist of thick square walls measuring 24m long, reinforced in the corners with four towers. Located 10km from Herrera on the SE-745.

Conjunto Termal Romano
The agricultural wealth and River Genil led to the creation of a dispersed habitat by Romans, to which the remains of this Roman thermal complex belong. It was declared Cultural Interest (BIC). It is considered one of the few existing in the province of Seville. These spas are characterized by the use of luxury elements such as marbles, especially in the rooms dedicated to bathing, being found in both floors and stairs, as well as in the walls of the swimming pools. Along with the marbles are numerous fragments of parietal paintings that are characterized by their quality and great chromatic variety. Another example of the richness of this complex is the presence of a series of mosaics dating from the third century AD. It emphasizes the mosaic "Pugilator" showing two fighters, constructed with materials such as limestone, jasper and quartz, with a variety of colours such as light blue, pink, red, orange, ivory, white, black and various shades of green. Located on the A-318.

RAILWAY STATION

If there was to be a prize for the biggest and most futuristic railway station within the smallest village in Andalucia or Spain, this would be it. The new station on the new Malaga-Cordoba AVE high speed railway line is just outside the village. It is officially called Puente Genil-Herrera because Puente Genil is a larger town and that is where the station that was replaced is. Buy AVE train tickets online from this station.

 

 

 

NATURAL AREAS

Herrera has some wonderful natural areas to enjoy, including Olmeda del Padrón; a riverside forest located at the foot of Arroyo Padrón, and Presa de San Calixto; a dam located on the River Genil between Herrera, Estepa and Écija. It is next to Castillo de Alhonoz and Arroyo del Pozo Salado, on the SE-745.

GASTRONOMY

The gastronomy of Herrera is all about local produce and what is currently in season. Dishes to try include salmorejo, migas (fried breadcrumbs), guisos (stews), revueltos de espárragos (scrambled eggs and asparagus), salmorejo del campo (salmorejo with added tuna and pepper) and olla con pringá (chickpea, bean and meat stew). Sweet treats include magdalenas (muffins), tortas de aceite (olive oil torts), brazo de gitano (sponge roll filled with custard) and bollos de leche (milk buns). Herrera also produces a delicious olive oil which is usually used in most of the local cuisine.

HANDICRAFTS

Crafts still produced in Herrera include carpentry and textile.

FESTIVALS

Cabalgata Reyes Magos
Three Kings procession celebrated on the evening of 5 January.

Carnaval
Celebrated in February.

Día de Andalucía
Celebrated the 28 Febuary

Semana Santa
Holy Week.

San Marcos
Celebrated the 25 April.

Romería en Honor a Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Fátima
Celebrated the second Sunday of May.

Verbena de San Juan
Celebrated the third weekend of June.

Feria
Celebrated the last week of August.

Verbena en Honor a Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Fátima
Celebrate in August.

Mercado Medieval
Celebrated in October.

NEXT PLACES

The next villages to Herrera are Estepa, Puente Genil and Marinaleda.

 

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