Aracena, Inner Beauty

It is the capital of the region, which gives its name to the Sierra and the Natural Park. One of the most important protected areas in the community of Andalusia. Occupies all the North of the province with its meadows and small elevations covered in forests of holm oaks, cork oaks, chestnut trees and scrubland, through which flow many streams, forming a landscape of extraordinary beauty and appeal. Ideal for livestock, especially for the Iberian pig, which finds here unbeatable conditions.

Its town centre, full of monuments and declared of Cultural Interest, is located at the foot of the old Castle and the Priory Church of Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor, which preserves the minaret of the mosque that preceded it. In addition to this and other churches that make up its heritage, stands out, and so is best known, by the Gruta de las Maravillas one of Spain’s most interesting karstic formations and of extraordinary beauty.

The total area of term is 180,000 ha., with a maximum altitude of 867 meters and a minimum of 283 meters. Bordered on the north by the end of Hinojales, south to the Rio Tinto La Granada and Campofrío, the east with those of Zufre, Higuera de la Sierra, Puerto Moral and Corteconcepcion, and west to Almonaster la Real, Linares Sierra, Los Marines, Alajar and Cortelazor. The village, nestled under the Cross Mountain and around the Cerro del Castillo, names the Sierra.

In this we find the higher elevations of the provincial assembly. Has a rugged wherein separated by valleys and numerous streams, dotted with mountains gallery forests occur. Aracena, as chief town of 31 municipalities, exercised administrative, commercial and tourist capital of the whole mountain region. It also has a total of six villages, some of which have a population exceeding that of other mountain towns.

The name of Aracena

The inhabitants of Aracena are known by the street name “Mole”, the explanation for this appears be the intensive cultivation of this plant in ancient times, although some attribute this name to the variety of social layers in Aracena. On the origin of the name of the city several potential scenarios. Let’s start with those attributed to an older population origin:

• Arcilasis: It comes from ARX and LUCIS, which means “Castle of the Rocks”. A name of Greek origin is considered. This fact about the Greek origin of the population also refers interpretation of the Midwife presiding shield.
• Arunda: It comes from ARAI, which means “mountain”. It could be translated as “mountainous place producer of livelihood.” This word is of Latin origin.
• Another theory talks about his Roman origin based on the -ENA suffix denoted places belonging to a particular person. In this case it would refer to a certain ARETIUS or ARCIUS, former owner of such land and could be translated as “VILLA ARETINA” or “VILLA ARCIANA”.
•  Another interpretation refers to a possible Arab origin: ARAI present, belongs to the Latin ARAI and SENE. It is believed that refers to Zenetes, residents of a Berber tribe in North Africa, who founded Zenet, framed area between the countryside and Moura Sevillana country, so Aracena be included. Its meaning is “Head Mountain”.