Discover Zufre

Zufre is protected as a Site of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the “Historic Complex” (Conjunto Histórico) category. Different aspects of the town’s history emerge in its lanes and buildings. At the same time, Zufre is part of the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park, along with a total of 29 municipalities in the Sierra de Huelva. If you’re looking for a hotel in Zufre, you can plan your stay around your own interests: local history and architecture sit alongside landscapes, relaxation and recurring festive events.

Lanes and protected historic centre

A walk through Zufre takes you along winding, cobbled lanes past small whitewashed houses with red roofs and flowers. The town’s historic character is evident not only in individual monuments: the layout of the streets, the scale of the houses and the design of their façades all contribute to its character. The lanes and architectural monuments offer different perspectives on Zufre: on the one hand, the cohesive scene formed by winding paths and small houses; on the other, individual buildings, each with its own period of construction and history.

Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception

The Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception (Iglesia Parroquial de la Purísima Concepción) is a 16th-century Gothic-Renaissance church. Its complex was completed in 1545. The tower was designed by Pedro de Silva after the Lisbon earthquake and completed in 1758. This distinguishes the completion of the complex from the later completion of the tower as two separate milestones in the building’s history. Two different attributions should also be noted for the artworks: the high reliefs are attributed to sculptor Bernardino de Ortega, and the panels to painter Juan de Zamora. The church thus brings together architectural history and the distinct attribution of its artistic works.

Torre de la Harina and bullring

The Torre de la Harina takes you back to an earlier period in Zufre’s history: it is the surviving remnant of an Almohad fortress dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. Alongside its history, it has a striking construction detail: the tower is built of rammed earth, reinforced at the corners with more resistant materials. The bullring represents a different era. It was built between 1879 and 1885 by a company of 30 shareholders. Alongside the church and fortress remains, it adds a building from the late 19th century to the history of Zufre. The town’s history thus places traces of a medieval fortress alongside a bullring built in the 19th century.

Viewpoint, reservoir and Romerías

Paseo de Los Alcaldes offers a different focus. This leafy main square includes a children’s area and a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding landscape and reservoir. The Embalse de Zufre serves a recreational purpose, with activities such as fishing taking place there. A green square with a view and a reservoir used for a specific leisure activity thus offer different ways to enjoy the area.

Two Romerías currently celebrated are associated with the Ermita de Nuestra Sra. del Puerto. On the last Sunday in August, the image is brought into town; on the second Sunday in September, it is returned to the hermitage. The exact calendar dates may vary from year to year. If you’re planning your trip around one of the Romerías, check the dates for the relevant year.

Discover more destinations: Cortegana, Calañas, Punta Umbría, Isla Cristina, Puerto Moral, Paterna Del Campo, Bollullos Par Del Condado, Las Delgadas

For the wider travel overview: Huelva.