Almonte, Spain

Almonte is a town and municipality located in Huelva, in southwestern Spain. It has a population of more than 25,000 inhabitants and an area of 33,174 square miles. It receives worldwide tourism thanks to the village of El Rocío (which had a great influence in the American Wild West culture and hosts one of the most popular pilgrimages in the world), the Doñana National Park (Europe's largest natural reserve and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO) and the longest coast in Spain. It’s also the only municipality in southern Spain to have a presidential residence.
 History 
The town is located within the ancient region of Tartessia and traded metals during the Chalcolithic, having been partially surrounded by the Ligustinian Lake, which dried completely in 700BC. Archaeologists George Bonsor and Adolf Schulten, in their search for Atlantis, discovered remains of a garum factory, settlements and necropolis, for the area was also ruled by Romans. Its current name derives from the one established during the 8th century AD (Al Munt) and the Umayyads were the first to tame and breed the wild horses which had inhabited the area for centuries, later registered as the Marismeño protected species and becoming ancestors of Mustangs.
Almonte was reconquered by the Castillians and in 1270 king Alfonso X The Wise ordered to build a sanctuary devoted to a deity in the woods which locals referred to as Saint Mary of Las Rocinas and whose statue, an anonymous gothic carved wood sculpture, has remained within the temple since its construction. The virgin later became known as the Virgin of El Rocío.
During the Renaissance, the village of El Rocío was one of the most important medieval river ports and the typical sandy unpaved roads and the wooden hitching rails to tie horses up were exported to the United States, along with the ancestors of the Mustang horse.
The woods of Las Rocinas became a Royal forest called Doñana and an official residence (Palacio de las Marismillas) was established there over time. In this century, six defensive towers were built alongside Almonte’s coast by order of king Philip II. In 1583, Almonte purchased Doñana from the duke and the Virgin of El Rocío became patron saint of the town in 1653, receiving attention from neighbouring towns and a yearly pilgrimage to El Rocío started.
In 1810, during the war against France, Almonteans executed a French captain and Napoleon sent thousands of soldiers as retaliation, but they never made it to town, so locals organise a vow called "El Rocío Chico" every August to commemorate what they thought to be a miracle. From 1949 on, it was established that the Virgin would be taken from her sanctuary in El Rocío to Almonte every seven years, spending nine months there. 
 Government and politics 
The council of Almonte is responsible for the three urban areas within its municipality: town of Almonte, village of El Rocío and coastal town of Matalascañas. Having been administered by the Duke of Medina Sidonia over the 18th century, it was from 1812 on that the local council actually played a key role in governing. It was in the 19th century that a new scientific interest in preserving local flora and fauna arose and in 1858, local Antonio Martín Villa, dean of the University of Seville sent a letter to the town council, begging for a detailed inventory of the wild fauna. This register would later contribute to the establishment of the Doñana National Park, currently a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 
Almonte's local government is made up of 21 councillors and Francisco Bella has been mayor for more than 20 years (except for the period from 2011 to 2023), currently holding the charge. Main local issues include the waste derived from tourism that ends up polluting the Doñana National Park and seasonal population peaks in Matalascañas (during summer) and El Rocío (which ranks as Spain’s third city in terms of population during the pilgrimage). Watering crops and feuds between local, regional and national goverments due to the coexistence of industrial development and the national park management are other recurrent topics are typical news.
 Urban planning 
The three urban areas in the municipality of Almonte are quite different from each other regarding urban planning, history and locals due to their geographical situation and founding processes. The main town of Almonte is located in the northern area of its municipal territory, 26 km (16 miles) far from the Atlantic coast. The village of El Rocío is 15 km to the south and finally, the coastal town of Matalascañas is just at the very shore. While the main town has been evolving since its foundation in the 8th century, having narrow cobbled streets in its historic centre and restored buildings, the village of El Rocío has maintained its wide straight unpaved streets, adapted to 19th-century equestrian traffic. Finally, the coastal town of Matalascañas was founded in the late 1960s just before the establishment of the Doñana National Park, which surrounds it. 
 Architecture 
Finally, 26 km south from Almonte, in the Atlantic coast, the town of Matalascañas was built during the late 60s. It consists of an urban area 4 km long and 1 km wide along the coast. Around 3,000 inhabitants live here permanently. 

 Geography 
Located in southwestern Spain, the municipality of Almonte is one of the largest in the country and has the longest coast in Spain, with more than 50 km of a straight uninterrupted sandy beach, from the archaeological ruins of the Torre del Río de Oro (literally, Tower of the Gold River) up to the Guadalquivir River. 28 of these 50 kilometers are protected as part of the Doñana National Park, and only 4 are urbanised, the ones at Matalascañas. Most of this coast is made up of semi-fossil dunes with low vegetation, without any rocky structure or cliff. The sand is light in colour and fine. However, along several kilometers between Torre del Río de Oro and “Cuesta Maneli”, a 100-metre high dune cliff can be found. It's called El Asperillo and it's the highest dune cliff in Europe, declared a Natural Monument of Andalusia.
 Aquifer, rivers and drainage basins 
Aquifer “Almonte-Marismas” is the most extensive one in the province, covering more than 2,800 km2and being up to 150 m (492 ft) in depth and, therefore, the main water source of the Doñana National Park. There are three main rivers and a lake in Almonte: Santa María, La Rocina, Madre de las Marismas and lake Santa Olalla. La Rocina serves as main source for the emblematic marsh of El Rocío. The marsh gets full between October and July, being merely a wetland or even a meadow during the driest months. 
 Climate 
This area has a combination of mediterranean and oceanic climate, due to its location near the limits of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Given its large territory, it has a variety of microclimates and an average temperature of 17 °C (62.6 °F). It has warm summers and winters, without the extreme variations that can be found in landlocked provinces of Spain. Rain is infrequent, barely reaching 700mm a year.
Within Doñana, there is certain humidity in winter and little rain in summer, being a spot where polar fronts interact with subtropical high pressures. In Spring and Autumn, torrential rain may occur, while anticyclones may appear in winter.
Even though Almonte's average temperature is mild due to oceanic influence, there are heavy storms on the coast during winter which leave important damages to the seafront structures, like restaurants and pavements. The council spends large quantities of money to rebuild certain zones, sometimes more than a million euros.
 Environmental policies 
Almonte was the first town in Spain to sign the Environmental Treaty (Carta por la Sostenibilidad) back in year 2000, which was later ratified by the Spanish prime minister and has since affected local policies, including the urban plans. It's also a founding member and hosts the headquarters of Amuparna (association of territories affected by national parks), created in 1997 and which has almost 100 members from all over the country.  Almonte is facing an environmental challenge at a European level since the establishment of the Doñana National Park in the 60s. This issue has become even more controversial since the 90s, when the berry fields were established. 
 Flora and fauna 
 Culture 
Inhabited since prehistoric times and its territory reaching the Atlantic coast, Almonte has its own definite customs and a rich heritage. Different civilisations, from Tartessians to the nordics, without forgetting Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims have all shaped the traditions that settled over the centuries, usually focused on its privileged natural resources. 
 Historical heritage 
From the Bronze Age to modernity, a wide variety of historical elements can be found in Almonte. They include:thumb|200px|Ruins of Torre de la Higuera
 One of the most important fossil track sites in the world, located at the coast, a few kilometers west from Matalascañas.
 Neolithic remains next to the bridge Puente de los Olivarejos, dating back from 5,000BC and including huts, axes, spoons and rocky minerals like quartz or silex.
Turdetani whistle dating back from 2,000BC, made of terracotta and representing a woman.It’s currently kept at the museum of Huelva. 
Tartessian metallic remains of a settlement of 40 hectares within the Doñana national park.
Roman fishing factory at Cerro del Trigo, also within the park.
 Ancient Olive Trees of El Rocío, the oldest one being around 800 years old.
 Domigratia's tombstone, a 6th-century-gravestone belonging to the first Roman in town baptised Christian.It can be found inside the church.
Palace of Doñana, which is a protected 14th-century building which currently serves as an advanced research facility administered by the Spanish National Research Council,located within the national park.
Fortified towers along the coast, built by order of King Philip II of Spain, often appearing in postcards and other touristic elements.
Church of Almonte (15th century), the only temple (besides the hermitage of El Rocío itself) to host the Virgin of El Rocío. Due to this fact, several notable people, including renowned authors like Juan Ramón Jiménez and monarchs like the King of Spain or Amélie of Orléans have visited the church several times. 
Town hall (17th century), located at the town’s main square next to the church. thumb|200px|Neoclassical palace "El Acebrón" in Almonte 
Palace of Las Marismillas, the only presidential residence in southern Spain, having been visited by international leaders,located at the southeasternmost area of the municipality, near river Guadalquivir.
World War II bunkers in the shore next to the delta of river Guadalquivir.
Flute and tabor, which are part of the musical tradition in Almonte.
 Wineries and oil mills, many of which have been restored and are currently used as either public offices or museums, restaurants, etc.
Neoclassical Palace of El Acebrón, located nearby the stream of La Rocina.

 Local festivities 
Almonte has a wide variety of traditional festivities and holidays, many of which are related to the Doñana National Park and the economic activities carried out over the centuries all along the municipality, from the northern town to the southern coast. 
 The “Romería de El Rocío” is the most popular holiday in Almonte, declared an International Touristic Holiday by the Spanish government in 1980 and gathering more than one million people in town and 120 national and foreign filial confraternities, which get to the temple of El Rocío from different points all over the world. 
 La Venida de la Virgen, which started in 1589 and consists of taking the virgin from El Rocío to Almonte on a round trip each 7 years, staying in Almonte for 9 months, during which the town is specially decorated and crowded.
 Saca de las Yeguas (Gathering of the mares), which is an annual livestock event that has been celebrated in Almonte for more than 1000 years and takes place annually each 26 June, involving thousands of horses which are led from the national park to Almonte.
Feria de Almonte, an annual leisure event whose origins can be traced as back as horse breeding and cow farming itself, around the 13th century and held in the last days of  June, just after the Gathering of the Mares. It includes food services, concerts, rides, games, etc.
Transition Festival, which is an international alternative music festival launched in 2011 and held deep within the pine woods, 4 km southeast from Almonte, typically celebrated on the second week of May. 
Christmas, involving the participation ofcamels they have at their natural reserve to be mounted by the Three Magi and walk along the coast.
El Rocío Chico, originally a vow held every 19 August and offered to their patron saint, thought to be the reason why Napoleonic troops withdrew from taking over town.
 Cultural landmarks 
 La Ciudad de la Cultura, which includes the theatre (one of the main ones in the province), a cultural centre, the arts school and the library.
Town Museum, with an extensive ethnographic collection focused on the symbiotic relationship between the urban and the natural environment.
Sea Museum, one of the first in Spain to be certified with quality standards ISO 9001 and 14000 and AENOR and the only in Europe to have a complete orca skeleton along with several other mockups, mammal skeletons and the most extensive shell collection in the country. It was also the only European museum to have the Ecosphere, a self-sustained spherical sealed ecosystem created by NASA, of which only one more replica was available at that time.
Museum of El Rocío, focused on the symbiosis between the history of one of the most popular pilgrimages in the world and the largest natural reserve in Europe, Doñana.
 Wine Museum, which offers guided tours, restaurants, shops and wine tastings. Local wines from Almonte, like Raigal (first sparkling wine in Andalusia, created in 1992) or Orange Wine are promoted and explained throughout its five main rooms, including their history and elaboration.
 Pinacotheca, an art gallery with two floors and important local works of art.) or Orange Wine
 Museo Forestal, which includes an organic farm school, a research centre for the Iberian lynx and the local pine tree.
 Centro Cultural de la Villa, containing around 2,000 works, including out-of-print editions and rare books. 

 Literature 
Owing to its cultural influence and natural environment, countless writers, filmmakers and other artists have been inspired by the Almontean landscapes to develop their work. Locals include Antonio Martín Villa (rector of the University of Seville), Lorenzo Cruz, Domingo Muñoz Bort, Alfonso Acosta, Juan Villa and Rocío Castrillo. An extensive collection of more than 100 books called “Cuadernos de Almonte” has been published by the city council since 1995 to promote local culture.
Writers like Luis de Góngora, Juan Ramón Jiménez, Rafael Alberti, José Manuel Caballero Bonald, Fernando Villalón or Alfonso Grosso describe landscapes of the municipality in their works.

 Cinema 
Almonte has been setting for several films, shorts, documentaries, TV programmes and shows. Key landmarks include its long beaches, the village of El Rocío and the dunes inside the Doñana National Park. Examples are The Neverending Story or Lawrence of Arabia. Almonte belongs to the Andalusian Film Commission, which promotes film shootings in the area.

 Music 
Almonte's traditional music can be split into the instrumental one (with the flute and tabor) and the vocal (with the Sevillana Rociera)  In recent decades, several other styles have come up, mainly alternative rock, rumba and psychedelic trance (brought about by the Transition Festival). As for modern music, local bands which could be mentioned include Requiebros, Senderos and alternative rock band The Pink Pylon. Chico Gallardo or Macarena De La Torre are regional references as singers. 

 Sports 
Almonte's stable warm weather has made it possible for the town to focus on outdoor sports. Many locals have been awarded with gold and silver medals both at national and international levels in sports like duathlon, judo, cycling, motocross or rhythmic gymnastics. Other important activities focus on horse riding, with several contests regarding sport but also fashion and horse and camel rental to enjoy natural spaces. Almonte is the one of the few towns in its province with an olympic swimming pool. The latest trend in town is Inline Alpine Slalom, having the first track for this sport in the region and having won several national awards. Almonte will be in 2026 the first Spanish town to host the World Motocross Cup.
 Gastronomy 
 Economy 
Almonte has an extensive private industry due to two main factors: its vast amount of natural resources and tourism. It has had an average revenue of €45,000,000 in the last decade and reached its top in 2019 with roughly €63 million, ranking 1st within the province, just after Huelva, the capital city. The locals have traditionally made a living out of olives, vineyards, acorns, honey, pine nuts, salt, wood, charcoal, farming, agriculture and fishing. In 2022, there were around 1,898 businesses registered in the municipality (63 of them with more than 20 employees, 473 of them wholesalers, 261 focusing on crop agriculture, livestock farming and fishing, 254 to hospitality industry, 200 to construction and 120 to other services).
 Primary sector 
As Europe’s top organic blueberry exporter, there are Almontean companies such as Surexport, which has almost 3.000 employees and an average monthly income of €200 million, with 1,600 hectares available for crops.  In 2009, a total of 410 livestock farms were registered in the municipality, of which 276 belong to the equine sector (being the 9th municipality in Andalusia, after the 8 provincial capitals) and 72 to the bovine sector. The livestock sector has two main branches in the Almonte: horses and cows. The native equine and bovine breeds coexisted with the ancient Tartessian civilization, were partly domesticated by Muslims during the Middle Ages, exported to America in the 16th century (giving rise to the popular Mustang breed) and protected within the Doñana National Park since 1969. The National Association of Marismeño Livestock Breeders, located in the northern area of town, was founded in 1982 to protect the interests of local ranchers and the protected native breeds, the Marismeño horses and Marismeña cows. The main fish species caught off the coast of Almonte include the Gamba blanca (parapenaeus longirostris), also known as the deepwater rose shrimp or the coquina clam (very characteristic of the area, as it rarely found anywhere else).

 Secondary sector 
There were 1,677 manufacturing businesses in Almonte, 561 devoted to car repairing; 284 to restaurants, 232 to construction, 103 to science and 80 to manufacturing.

 Tertiary sector 
The touristic sector plays a key role in Almonte, being mainly focused on history, gastronomy, wine and monumental routes in the main town, the pilgrimage in the village of  and summer holidays in Matalascañas, as explained in the local festivities section. Almonte is one of the ten towns declared as a tourist attraction by the regional government.
 Hotels 
Almonte has around 25 accommodation establishments, of which half are hotels and the other half hostels, the total number of beds being around 9,000. Most of them are located in El Rocío and Matalascañas and some of them are 4-star hotels.

 National and international programmes and recognition 
Almonte has been participating in Fitur (the International Tourism Trade Fair) for more than 40 years, promoting its extensive touristic offer. Almonte ranked 10th in the list of the 22 most beautiful Spanish towns by magazine Viajar, being first in its province.  American magazine Condé Nast published an article within its section Traveler about Almonte, highlighting 7 main places of interest, including the historical centre of town, the village of El Rocío and Matalascañas. National Geographic included three of Almonte's beaches (Cuesta Maneli, Matalascañas and El Asperillo) within its ranking of the best 20 beaches in Andalusia.
 Local projects 
Two touristic enterprises were launched in 2022: Destino Rocío (eight official routes all over southern Spain that lead to El Rocío) and the Camino del Rocío a Santiago de Compostela (a new official route within the Camino de Santiago).
Apart from the Doñana National Park and its surroundings, beach tourism and El Rocío, there's also the flamenco fashion industry, with designers such as Lucía Sánchez (Lemachet), Rocío Cabrera, José Joaquín Gil, Rima Prociviecene or Juan Francisco Gil Ortiz and contests like SIMOF (International Flamenco Fashion Week). 
 Services 
 Education 
The first public teachers began to work in the town at the beginning of the 17th century and there were 23 schools by the early 1960s. "I.E.S. Doñana" is the largest high school in the region with more than 1,300 students and around 120 teachers. Almonte is the only town in southwestern Huelva with an Official School of Languages as well as equestrian school. It has also 3 public libraries.
 Transportation 
Due to its vast agricultural and organic crop industry and its massive seasonal tourism, Almonte's roads have a constant flow of vehicles, having been widened and reshaped several times over the last decades. Main road to get to Almonte is motorway A-483. Secondary road A-474 connects to Seville and there’s a ferry route across the Guadalquivir river that gets to neighbouring fishing town Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
 Beaches 
 Science and technology 
Almonte's coastal location and biodiversity thanks to Doñana provides its territory with great opportunities to develop all kinds of scientific research, which currently focuses on organic water crop innovation, biology, botany and astronomy. 
 Astrophysics 
 Biology 
Captive breeding centre "El Acebuche" has 18 different sections to breed the Iberian lynx. The "Doñana Biological Station" studies and preserves a protected area of vital biological importance within the Doñana National Park
 Military technology 
Almonte is one of the few places in Spain where surface-to-air missiles can be launched, from a zone known as "Médano del Loro", located next to the rocket launch pad. Patriot and Hawk are some examples of missiles launched from this facility. 

References

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Category:Coordinates on Wikidata
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Category:8th-century establishments
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Category:Towns in Spain
Category:Municipalities in Andalusia
Category:Province of Huelva