Coria Del Río between the Guadalquivir, culture and nature

Coria Del Río lies on the right bank of the Río Guadalquivir, about 12 kilometres south of Seville. The municipal area includes the Paraje Natural del Brazo del Este. This means Coria Del Río combines cultural themes with different ways to experience the river and its natural surroundings. Each place and trail has its own focus: from churches and the history of Andalusianism to birdwatching, botanical trails and a trip along the Guadalquivir.

Riverside and notable places

Places worth visiting include the Paseo Carlos de Mesa and its landing stage on Calle Martínez de León. The Ermita de San Juan Bautista stands on the eastern edge of Cerro de San Juan, above the Río Guadalquivir. Its hillside setting gives this building a different relationship with the river from the riverside promenade. The Ermita houses the Santísimo Cristo de la Vera Cruz, a sculpture created around 1500. The chapel is designated as a Monument and a Bien de Interés Cultural.

Churches and Blas Infante

The Iglesia de Santa María de la Estrella is the oldest parish church in Coria Del Río. Its Gothic-Mudéjar architecture dates from the late 13th century and was extended with Baroque additions. This church is also protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. Those interested in architectural history will find several clearly distinguishable periods in a single building.

Another important theme is Blas Infante: he designed and built the Casa de Blas Infante in 1931. In 2006, it was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. Visits to the Casa are always guided and require advance reservations. Check the current reservation requirements before your trip. Coria Del Río is also part of the Ruta de Blas Infante, which connects nine municipalities associated with his life and Andalusianism.

Hasekura Tsunenaga and Andalusia’s history of autonomy

Coria Del Río also offers a route dedicated to Hasekura Tsunenaga. A statue of the Japanese envoy, donated by the government of the Japanese city of Sendai, stands on the Paseo Carlos de Mesa. The Sala Temática Japonesa Virginio Carvajal Japón displays reproductions of documents from Hasekura’s journey, as well as Japanese artistic and traditional objects. A model of the Hanami was made for the 1992 Seville World’s Fair, presented as a gift to the Japanese Pavilion and displayed there throughout the exhibition.

A different historical perspective is offered by the permanent exhibition in Sala 28F at the Museo de la Autonomía de Andalucía. It traces the Andalusian autonomy process from the 1883 Constitution of Antequera to the ratification of the Statute of Autonomy for Andalusia in the 2007 referendum. This allows you to consider the history of an individual place and the development of autonomy in Andalusia as distinct themes of your stay.

Nature trails and excursions

The Ruta ornitológica runs through the municipal area and is intended for observing and identifying birds. The areas it covers include the Guadalquivir, the Guadaira, the Paraje Natural del Brazo del Este and the Dehesa La Atalaya. The Ruta botánica also runs through Coria Del Río’s natural areas and leads, among other places, to the Aula de la Naturaleza in the Dehesa La Atalaya. Those more interested in how the landscape has changed can explore the Ruta geohistórica, which focuses on the historical transformation of the Coria Del Río landscape.

There are also several trail options in the Dehesa La Atalaya. The Sendero nocturno is an approximately 3-kilometre circular route, suitable for individuals and families. The Sendero Dehesa Atalaya can be explored independently with the municipal guidebook or with a guide, whom you can request through the environmental department. The guided tour of the Dehesa is approximately 3 kilometres long and includes environmental interpretation activities. There are also three routes of varying lengths, from 1,500 to 4,000 metres, designed for different age groups.

The Aula de la Naturaleza can be reached via the Corredor Verde Metropolitano de Sevilla and the Vereda de los Palacios drovers’ road on foot, by bicycle, on horseback or using another non-motorised means of transport. Another way to experience the river is the Ruta fluvial on the Río Guadalquivir: it takes place by boat and stops at several points of interest. Each option has a different focus: birdwatching, landscape history, trails through the Dehesa or a trip on the water.

Cultural activities and the Fiesta del Albur

The Centro Cultural de la Villa “Pastora Soler” is a public cultural centre with an open-air theatre and an indoor theatre. Events held there include concerts, plays, conferences, courses, exhibitions and book presentations. The Fiesta del Albur takes place in early May. During the event, around 1,000 kilograms of fried albur are given away free of charge on the Paseo Carlos de Mesa, beside the Guadalquivir. Check the programme and arrangements for the relevant year before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Coripe, La Campana, Castilleja De La Cuesta, Hinojos, Benacazón, Sanlúcar La Mayor, Constantina, La Algaba.

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