eco tourism 2014. #ecotourism03. Interactive Guide
The Route of Iberian Ham Product Club Drying sheds Accommodation Restaurants Heritage Nature
#ecotourismCrĂŠdits 1
The Route of Iberian Ham Other magazines of interest
2014. #ecotourism01. Interactive Guide
The best routes for birdwatching in the Castile–Leon region of Spain Staff www.turismohumano.com
The TRINO Project
Birdwatching Tourism www.birdwatchinginspain.com
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Turismo Humano 1
Product Club
R Créditos
Promotional video of the Route of Iberian Ham
The product club of the Route of the Iberian Ham Artisan, traditional and sustainable cuisine Iberian Ham or jamón ibérico has become very fashionable. The main gourmet chains and prestigious restaurateurs all over the world offer Iberian ham as one of the most exquisite and exclusive products. It is only produced in a few regions on the Iberian peninsula of mainland Spain. The Route of Iberian Ham comes into being as a product of food tourism direct from the countryside and culture of the people along the route. The product club Route of the Iberian Ham makes it possible for visitors to enjoy a unique experience that consists of visiting the four Protected Designation of Origin areas of Iberian ham production (Dehesa de Extremadura, Jamón de Huelva, Guijuelo and Los Pedroches) that cover three autonomous regions (Castilla y León, Extremadura and Andalucía) and five provinces: Salamanca, Cáceres, Badajoz, Huelva and Córdoba.
Tourists can visit and enjoy the landscape of the dehesa pastures by visiting pig farms, museums and interpretation centres as well as drying sheds so they can see the production process, try and enjoy jamón ibérico in restaurants and shops and find accommodation in these areas. However the Route of Iberian Ham also includes beautiful places, both nature spots as well as historic and cultural sites that mean visitors can enjoy the heritage, world and culture of Iberian ham and the places linked to its production. Attention: All the links in the magazine take you to pages in Spanish
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Remains of the Roman Villa "Los Terminos” in Monroy (Cáceres) © Eduardo Estéllez
The Route of Iberian Ham
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The territory
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The Route of Iberian Ham
The Iberian Pig in freedom in the dehesa pasture of Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche. Photo: Š Jesuskym 6 #ecotourism
man. To the right, corn oak tree. Photo: © Jinete Vetón.
The territory
T
he breeding and production area on the Route of the Iberian Ham is in the Autonomous Communities of Andalucía, Castilla y León and Extremadura. These areas are marked out by the Regulating Council of the Designation of Origin of the Iberian ham. Guijuelo, la Dehesa de Extremadura, Jamón de Huelva and Los Pedroches are the four areas with Designation of Origin at present. In the provinces of Salamanca, Cáceres, Badajoz, Huelva and Córdoba there are 307 towns and villages that are authorised by the Regulating Council to establish drying sheds. These towns and villages make up the “areas of development and fattening” of the Iberian pigs.
The dehesa pastures Without the dehesa grazing land Iberian ham would not exist. This eco#ecotourism 7
The Route of Iberian Ham
“La Terrona”, unique tree and natural monument with around 800 years old, It’s found in the Montánchez route © Pilar F.G. To the right, free range Iberian pig in the dehesa pasture of Extremadura. Photo: © Jinete Vetón 8 #ecotourism
e and it is considered the oldest holm oak in Spain. Photo: n
The dehesa pastures
system provides the special characteristics that only exist in this wooded pastureland cultivated by man and capable of harmonising human occupation with the conservation of the environment and its sustainable development with agricultural usage. It is one of the most singular ecosystems in the world that is found in Spain along a strip that runs from Salamanca to Sierra Morena and West Andaluc铆a, although there are more isolated areas in Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid and Castilla y Le贸n. The colours, aromas and sensations immerse us in a nature area with a distinctive and suggestive beauty that invites us to walk through the countryside and enjoy its diverse flora and fauna. You can find 60 different bird species that nest here and over 20 varieties of mammals. The characteristics of the trees make it one of the zones with the greatest biodiversity on the Iberian Peninsula. It is the ideal place for hiking and biking, on route you will come across an important cultural heritage of noteworthy buildings, farming traditions, castles, megalithic monuments, medieval bridges, Roman roads and many other attractive features.
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The Route of Iberian Ham
Architecture in the dehesa pastureland The civil, religious and folk architecture tells us about life in the dehesa, the beliefs of the people and their social administration. You can still see and visit remains of ancient castles and other defensive forts that date from Moorish times like the watch towers and border posts. There are many civil buildings dating from the Middle Ages that tell us about the importance of the dehesa pastures in the transhumance of stock between the north and south of the Peninsula. The wool trade, with the fleeces of Merino sheep, required an infrastructure in the dehesa in the form of tracks, roads, paths, bridges and cattle grids. On the other hand, many shrines were built and dedicated to different saints, to take care of the people and their belongings and where people could go to religious services. There are many examples of folk architecture for livestock in the dehesa pastures like the “tinaos”, a kind of covered passage, pigsties, corrals, fenced and stone enclosures, huts, wells, waterwheels, etc. The pigsty, for example, protects the pigs from the inclemency of the weather and they are built of stone or clay. Farms, labourers’ cottag10 #ecotourism
To the left, traditional architecture of the dehesa pasture in E cuescar (Cáceres), a beautiful example of medieval religious a
The dehesa pastures
Extremadura. Photo: ﾂｩ Juanma Mateos. Over this lines, Mozarab church of Santa Lucia del Trampal in Alarchitecture. Photo: ﾂｩ Mari ﾃ］geles y Jesﾃｺs #ecotourism 11
The Route of Iberian Ham
es, hydraulic constructions and water mills are farm related buildings. In these areas you can see people carrying out traditional tasks like cork harvesting, making charcoal and farming the herds of Iberian pigs.
The Iberian pig The leading role of this tourism product is an animal that has been symbolic in numerous ancient cultures. The Iberian pig breed dates back 3000 years to be precise, when pigs brought by the Phoenicians from the Middle East were used for cross breeding. The Iberian pig has three breeds: Black, red and the Jabugo pied (Huelva). The feed is a key factor in Iberian pig farming. After they leave the sow, the piglets are fed on stubble from cereal crops and the sparse remains in the countryside, the most important time is when the pigs graze freely in the dehesa pastures when the acorns begin to fall from the oak trees. This system of traditional fattening is called mountain free range or montanera. The fattening process consists of letting the pigs graze in the dehesa pasture scattered with acorns from the cork and holm oak groves that are their main food. Depending on weather conditions, the traditional period begins in October to November and finishes in
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To the left, the cottage represents the most traditional archit period in the dehesa pasture in Caceres. Photo: Š JosÊ Bay
The Iberian pig
tecture of dehesa pasture. Photo: 漏 Robby25. Over this lines, free range Iberian pig during the fodder feeding y贸n #ecotourism 13
The Route of Iberian Ham
The Iberian Pig in freedom in the dehesa pasture of Los Pedroches (C贸rdoba). Photo: 漏 Javier 14 #ecotourism
The Iberian pig
February to March which is when the acorns are ready. The amount of acorns the Iberian pig eats will determine the quality of the final product. It is recommended that each Iberian pig puts on an average of 57.5 kilos. There are three different systems of fattening the pigs. • Grain. The pigs eat concentrated commercial feed or meal. • Free range fattening. The traditional fattening process consists of taking advantage of all the resources of the dehesa pastures. • Mixed feed or recebo. This term is applied to pigs that have grazed free range but the feed has been made up with grain because there has not been enough acorns. The quality of the product is guaranteed thanks to the perfect combination between the acorn feed and the exercise the animal does. After the fattening period, three to five months, the pig can fatten up to 57.5 kilos. Farrowing takes place in June and December and each litter ranges from six to eight piglets. Depending on the season, the pigs are classified in Spain as “yerbizos” (February to March), “agostones” (August) and “marceños” (April to May). In the rearing period the bases are established for the definite make up of the animal. First of all, the pig with a weight of between 35 and 70 kilos subsequently develops into a fattened pig of between 70 and over 100 kilos.
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The Route of Iberian Ham
Acorns The fruit of the oak, the holm oak and other trees of the quercus genus make up the staple food of the Iberian breed of pig raised in the dehesa pastures. The acorn is of great importance for feeding the adult pig because it is this that gives the best quality of acorn-cured ham. The best acorns are the sweet fruits of the oak tree that have a brownish colour and are a delicacy for the Iberian pig that is continuously rooting for acorns in groups. On the other hand, the “not so sweet� acorns serve to put on pork fat and they also give a characteristic taste and aroma to the animal. A pig fattened extensively in the dehesa pastures eating 10 kg of acorns a day can put on up to a kilo a day. An oak grove dedicated to pig farming can produce between 400 and 900 kg/ hectare of acorns a year and an oak around 15 kg a year. The combination of grass and acorns provides the taste, colour and aroma characteristic of Iberian ham. At the start of the period when the pigs graze freely is when the meat is being produced, this is when the fat begins to marble the meat. 16 #ecotourism
To the left, acorns in the dehesa pasture ground, the basic fo
Acorns
oodstuff of the Iberian pig. Photo: © Multivac42. Over this lines Oak’s acorns. Photo: © Ferrán Turmo #ecotourism 17
The Route of Iberian Ham
The iberian Ham treatment requires special cares and conditions that concerns the relative humidity and the air 18 #ecotourism
Curing
Curing After the free range grazing, the pig is slaughtered in the traditional way or industrially to reduce stress so that the quality of the meat is not affected. At the time of slaughter the blood is used for making cold meats and preserves. Next it is washed and then cut into hams and shoulders to start the curing process the next day. Before you obtain the Iberian ham, the leg is prepared and part of the fat, skin and meat from the outside is taken away. All this makes the characteristic “V” on the skin.
flows. Photo: © Plan Dinamización Jamón Dehesas de Extremadura
Although technological innovations have been incorporated into the process, the elaboration of the Iberian ham follows a delicate and traditional selective process. The climate conditions during the curing process (drying shed and cellar) make the product unique and famous all over the world. #ecotourism 19
The Route of Iberian Ham
Curing stages of Iberian ham • Salting. The hams are soaked in brine at a low temperature (between 1º5ºC) with humidity of 80%-90% for 9 to 14 days. • Rinsing. This process gets rid of the salt attached to the outside of the ham. It also eliminates any remaining traces of blood. • Post salting. Depending on the size and weight of the hams, the normal time is between 60 and 75 days and can even be extended to 90. The slow penetration of the salt into the muscles continues. The hams are kept at temperatures between 3º and 6º C with humidity of 80%-90%. • Drying. It is dried by controlled air circulation for three to seven months to achieve the final stabilization of the ham. The humidity slowly disappears with this process. At a higher temperature (15º-30ºC) an even distribution of the fat is acquired and this gives rise to the taste and aroma of the ham. • Drying and curing in cellars. It is the final stage of the process and it consists in hanging in the still air, at temperatures between 10º and 20ºC with room humidity of 60% to 80%. The fungus that appears on the outside of the ham provides the characteristic smell of the Iberian ham. The minimum stay in the cellar depends on weight and varies between 6 and 18 months. Depending on the weight of the ham, the total process time to get an Iberian ham in perfect condition and ready to eat is from 20 to 24 months. 20 #ecotourism
SHams drying place in Béjar (Salamanca). Photo: © Jose Mª
Curing
ÂŞ Rada #ecotourism 21
The Route of Iberian Ham
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Carving
Parts of the Iberian ham • “Maza”. This is the most succulent part where most of the meat is and where you normally begin to cut and use the ham. • “ Contramaza”. Opposite side to the “maza”. This part has very little fat. • “Babilla”. This is the least juicy part of the Iberian ham between the tibia and the femur. The experts recommend you start to use this part of the ham first if you are going to use it slowly to make sure it does not lose its smell and taste. • “Punta”. Top end of the ham. Tasty with a lot of fat. More salty if it has not been protected by a yellow coat of fat. • Shank ("Jarrete" and "Caña"). The meat around the trotter is hard, stringy and has a lot of oil. Very good for small pieces of ham for cooking stews.
Utensils for carving Carving the ham follows precise rites so you get all the flavour. At different fairs and festivals celebrated around ham there are carving competitions with very good prizes. This is why the utensils should be carefully chosen. • Professional ham knife. A ham knife should have a long, narrow blade that is good and sharp to cut thin slices. • Short carving knife. Short and narrow with a strong blade so you can make slits and to cut round bones when necessary.
• Fillet knife. Wide, medium width and resistant blade. Used to cut off the skin. • Knife sharpener. It eliminates small nicks and keeps each knife perfectly sharpened. • The ham stand. It makes it easy to turn the ham and carve in a straight line keeping the cut level.
Carving process • First of all. Before cleaning the ham, you make a deep cut (4 cm.) at the hock by the shank. Afterwards you proceed to cut off the skin and fat. • Where to start. If you are going to eat the ham within 3 days you start to carve the ham at the meatiest part, “la maza”. On the other hand, if you are going to eat the ham at home you should start at the “babilla”. • Preparation. Once you have removed the top part of the ham you go on to take the skin off the sides. • Slicing. You use the ham knife for this. The slices should be very thin and medium sized. You should carve all the parts of the ham to get more out of it. When you get to the bone, you should make a clean cut to separate the meat from the bone keeping the meat level so that the slices come off easily. • Turning the ham over. When the slices get down to the femur it is time to turn it over and place it on the ham stand with the trotter facing down. • Finishing off. You should carve all the meat from all over the ham so that the bones are clean • Conservation. You should keep the ham in a cool dry place covering the parts of the ham that have been carved with slices of the ham’s own fat and then cover it with a cloth.
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The Route of Iberian Ham
Ham festivals There are professional trade fairs, gastronomic events, congresses and local festivals centred around Iberian ham in the areas all along Route that give ham a festive quality that attracts thousands of visitors. Meat Industry Fair in Guijuelo
At the beginning of June the Meat Industry Fair is held in Guijuelo (Salamanca) with its 16th edition in 2014, a showcase for the leading brands in the sector where you can try their products; it is a meeting place for professionals and trade people, providing the fair with great commercial value. The festival dedicated to the Traditional Pig Slaughtering has been declared to be of Tourist Interest and it is held in Guijuelo on the last weekend of January and every weekend in February when visitors can Cut and plate up the Iberian Ham competition, During the III Trade fair of aco try the produce. Spanish International Trade Consulting. 24 #ecotourism
Ham festivals
orn-fed Iberian Ham in Los Pedroches in Villanueva de C贸rdoba. Photo: 漏 MG Spain Export Consulting
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The Route of Iberian Ham
Rural Tourism in the dehesa pasture in Badajoz (Extremadura). Photo: Š Thrigo. To the right, Iberian Hams dry 26 #ecotourism
ying place in Montánchez (Cáceres). Photo: © Jamones Monsalud
Ham festivals
Montánchez gastronomic festival Every December there is a gastronomic festival in Montánchez (Cáceres), one of the cradles of Iberian ham, a Gastronomic festival when the local people take part in the pig slaughtering rite and also a chance to try the different pork products. Iberian Ham Show in Jerez de los Caballeros In May, one of the most prestigious events takes place in Jerez de los Caballeros (Badajoz) centred around ham and the route: the Iberian Ham Show, a monographic event that has quality ham playing the leading role with at least 150 stands. There are ham slicing competitions, gastronomic events and ham tasting. Visitors can see and try the products
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The Route of Iberian Ham
offered on the numerous stands. Day of Ham in Monesterio In Monesterio (Badajoz), where there is also a Ham Museum, each September (the first week), a gastronomic day is organised which attracts over 10.000 people from all over Spain to visit the stands where they can try typical products like ham, pork loin, Iberian ham shoulder. Around this day there are ham sampling, competitions for the best ham slicer, cycling routes, technical workshops and other leisure activities. Ham and Iberian Pig Regional Fair During the third weekend in October each year, the Ham and Iberian Pig Regional Fair is held in Aracena (Huelva) it is a meeting place that serves as a forum for debate on Iberian pork products for the pig farming sector. There are varied activities: a competition for the best ham slicer, a raffle for "your weight in ham", you can try products from the 28 #ecotourism
General view of the III trade fair of acorn-fed Iberian Ham of Los Pedroches in V
Ham festivals
Villanueva de C贸rdoba. Photo: 漏 MG Spain Export Consulting Spanish International Trade Consulting #ecotourism 29
The Route of Iberian Ham
Yuste Monastery in La Vera (Cáceres). Photo: © Mª Ángeles y Jesús. To the right, night in the dehesa pasture 30 #ecotourism
Ham festivals
pig slaughter, etc. An excellent opportunity to visit the Ham Museum. Trade Fair of acorn-fed Iberian Ham in Los Pedroches
of Extremadura. Photo: 漏 Jorge
Another great fair centred around Iberian ham is held in the month of October in Villanueva de C贸rdoba, one of the towns that forms part of the Protected Designation of Origin area of Los Pedroches (C贸rdoba). It is the Trade Fair of acornfed Iberian ham in Los Pedroches. The fair includes a competition for the best ham slicer, approved by the Spanish Association of Ham Carvers and the Competition for the best acorn-fed Iberian ham from Los Pedroches.
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The Route of Iberian Ham
La Alberca (Salamanca) in the Guijuelo route, the first spanish village to obtain the historic artistic monument di
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Tourist Routes
istinction by 1940. Photo: © Francisco José Sánchez Montero #ecotourism 33
The Route of Iberian Ham Route: Guijuelo
Sierra de Béjar (Salamanca) © Mariam Rodríguez
Towns of the Product club route of the Iberian Ham with tourist services
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Monleón
Salamanca
Route through P.D.O. Guijuelo Route through Protected Designation of Origin Guijuelo
T
he centre of the Iberian ham industry in this district is Guijuelo, a town with around 6 000 inhabitants, roughly three quarters of the population work in the meat industry. There are at least 50 businesses and 300 brand names of ham. There is a Museum dedicated to the cured meat industry so you can get to know the traditional industry, the mainstay of the district, better.
through its grounds. La Alberca was the first village to receive the Artistic Historic Monument distinction in 1940.
miss on this Iberian Ham Route, another Artistic Historic Complex since 1975 because of its traditional mountain architecture.
The nature in this district is ideal for hiking, it is part of the Biosphere Reserve of the Sierras de Béjar y Francia, Las Batuecas Nature Park and Sierra de Francia and the protected Nature Area of Sierra de las Quilamas.
Do not miss visiting
Miranda del Castañar is a lovely Medieval town, it has been an Artistic Historic Complex since 1973, with city walls and noble mansions houses made of wood and granite. Sotoserrano, a spectacular nature area that invites you to stroll
Béjar, as well as being a very beautiful monumental place, has a ski resort (La Covatilla) and a historic centre called El Bosque.
Bull carnival (Ciudad Rodrigo) Salamanca Cathedral Batuecas Valley Arribes del Duero Peña de Francia Sanctuary Duques de Alba Castle (Alba de Tormes) Salamanca University La Covatilla Ski Station in Sierra de Béjar
4 kilometres from Béjar you come to the town Candelario, another place not to
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The Route of Iberian Ham Route: Dehesa de Extremadura
Cáceres Towns of the Product club route of the Iberian Ham with tourist services
Plasenzuela
Botija
Caceres pastures © MCarmen F. (cafedevega)
Zarza de Montánchez
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The Route of the Dehesas de Extremadura Route of the Dehesas de Extremadura through the province of Cáceres
L
a Dehesa de Extremadura, with almost 2.2 million hectares, is one of the most singular ecosystems on the Iberian Peninsula. Most of this area is made up of grazing land with oak groves. Montánchez (Cáceres) is the centre of this route. An ancient town that dates back to the Bronze Age, the tradition of curing hams also goes back centuries, with historic references since 1236. Tradition tells that Carlos V, when he retired to Yuste, enjoyed ham from Montánchez. Cáceres has extensive countryside where the Iberian
pig reigns and this is why there are many districts on this route: La Jara with the ruins of Augustobriga; La Vera where the monastery of Yuste is situated, where Carlos V retired; the Jerte valley with exquisite cherry trees, a compulsory stop when they are in flower; the Ambroz valley with the outstanding town of Hervás and the chestnut groves; the Alagón valley presided by the monumental town of Coria; Tajo-Salor-Almonte with the spectacular Roman bridge of Alcántara; Monfragüe and the surrounding area with its Nature Park where you can bird watch and the unforgettable town
of Plasencia; MiajadasTrujillo, fertile land and the cradle of conquistadors who built splendid palaces; or Villuercas with the emblematic town of Guadalupe, one of the most famous pilgrim destinations in Spain. Do not miss visiting Emperor Carlos V route Monfragüe Cáceres City Cherry tree blossom festival (Valle del Jerte) Guadalupe Monastery "La Berrea" The English route Mycology Festival in Coria “Los empalaos” Roman bridge in Alcántara
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The Route of Iberian Ham Route: Dehesa de Extremadura
Badajoz Towns of the Product club route of the Iberian Ham with tourist services
Azuaga
Badajoz pastures Š Pedro Fructuoso
Higuera la Real
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The Route of the Dehesas de Extremadura Route of the Dehesas de Extremadura through the province of Badajoz
T
he beauty of the countryside here does not only centre on the Iberian pigs, but also on the impressive mixture of monuments and nature.
beautiful countryside for Iberian pig farming, although it is also famous for its cheese, wine and delicious beef that also have their own protected designation of origin.
Monesterio and Jerez de los Caballeros are production centres of Iberian ham from the dehesas of Extremadura in Badajoz that cover a large and varied geographic area.
Other places we have not to forget on a food tourism route through the province of Badajoz are Fregenal de la Sierra, with a Templar Knights past; Monesterio with a good offer of restaurants, and where they celebrate a Ham Festival that attracts a lot of visitors; Calera de León, seat of the Knights of Santiago with its impressive Conventual; or Zafra with a magnificent
The districts of Olivenza, Campiña Sur, la Serena, Sierra de San Pedro Los Baldíos, Zafra Río Bodión, Sierra Suroeste and Tierra de Barros offer some of the most
historic centre. Do not miss visiting San Juan Cathedral (Badajoz) Roma theatre (Mérida) Cornalvo Natural Park Cacho Roano archaeological site Tentudia Monastery Chanfaina Festival (Fuente de Cantos) Sta. Mª Magdalena Church (Olivenza) "La Jayona" mine Castilo de Luna (Alburquerque)
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The Route of Iberian Ham Route through the Protected Designation of Origin area in Huelva Route: Jamón de Huelva
Huelva
Los Marines
Castaño del Robledo
Alájar
Linares de la Sierra
Towns of the Product club route of the Iberian Ham with tourist services Castillo de las Guardas
H
uelva Ham is a protected designation of origin of Iberian ham. It is very well known ham because of its texture, aroma and particular distinguished taste with its centre in Jabugo (Huelva) in the heart of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Nature Park and it is a part of the dehesas of Sierra Mornea and as such a Reserve of the Biosphere. Although Jabugo is a small village it has great charm and most of its inhabitants work in the Iberian ham and cooked meats industry. However the Sierra de Aracena has a lot more charms than just its cuisine. Almonaster la Real, surrounded by forest, has the most beautiful rural mosque of its kind; Cortegana has its
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impressive castle; Cumbres Mayores is proud of its outstanding fortress, at the same time it has famous drying sheds where the Iberian ham is cured. Galaroza, Aroche, Linares de la Sierra, Fuenteheridos, in fact any of these places is worth a leisurely visit. La Peña de Arias Montano is the site of the Sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Angels from where there are fantastic views of the mountains. In Aracena, besides the charms of the village, like the Templar castle and the Plaza del Marqués de Aracena, there is one of nature’s wonders: la Gruta de las Maravillas, one of the most attractive tourist caves in Spain.
Although the Iberian pig farming goes on in the mountain areas, Huelva has a unique heritage and natural wealth that demands an unhurried visit. Its beaches attract numerous visitors and the protected nature in Doñana are attractions worth mentioning. Do not miss visiting Doñana El Rocío Minas de Riotinto Las Maravillas cave (Aracena) Costa de la Luz La Rábida Monastery Odiel Marshlands
Route through the P.D.O. in Huelva
Public washing place in Linares de la Sierra (Huelva). Photo: Š Miradas de AndalucĂa #ecotourism 41
The Route of Iberian Ham Route: Los Pedroches
Córdoba
Añora
Villanueva del Duque
El Hoyo
Los Pedroches © Marichu
Towns of the Product club route of the Iberian Ham with tourist services
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Route through the P.D.O. in Los Pedroches Route through the Protected Designation of Origin area Los Pedroches
N
orth of Córdoba, once you have crossed the mountains – going over the mythical Calatraveño mountain pass that Marqués de Santillana sung about in his Serranillas type flamenco songs-, a landscape of gentle hills and oak grove unfolds, a land cut out of granite. Los Pedroches valley has a thick aroma of history that is still intact in its monuments, landscapes and mountain nature; in its delicious cuisine; its game; its leafy and romantic walks; and in its ageless traditions. In Fuente Obejuna, every
year in August, Lope de Vega’s famous play is staged (Fuenteovejuna) about the local people who united to make a front against tyranny.
city of Córdoba is only a few kilometres away, with its emblematic monuments, like the Mosque and the Roman bridge that attract visitors from all over the world.
Hinojosa del Duque and Villanueva de Córdoba have a long standing ham tradition and Pozoblanco, the capital of the district, is the great stock cooperative of Andalucía.
Do not miss visiting
It is the most extensive area of dehesa pasture as well as the best conserved on the Iberian Peninsula covering 424 000 hectares. However besides its natural riches, the
Cordoba Mosque Medina Azahara palace Coracho Basilica (Lucena) Ancient basilica (Dos Torres) Arch of Triumph (Córdoba) Cardeña-Montoro natural park Virgen de la Sierra (Cabra)
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Peach blossoms in Extremadura © Marian Rodríguez
The Route of Iberian Ham
Planning every details of your route
O
ne of the most creative ways of making a trip and immersing yourself in the sensory experience of the Iberian Ham Route is to plan your own stages combining accommodation, nature trips, discover history as well as the exquisite presence of ham, one of the most appreciated delica-
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cies in the world. From this Route Planner you can make your own route and manage your booking, visualize the routes created by other travellers and select the places you want to visit, whether travelling on foot or by car. You can filter the options to limit the contents. When you select the place of interest you select the “Añadir punto de interés”
Planning every details of your route
option (Add a place of interest) and it is added to your list of places to visit. Other options allow you to decide whether you want to calculate the route on foot or by car. GoogleMaps will calculate the route for you by selecting different options “Mostrar ruta option� (Show route option) (by defect). If you do not select this, it will not show the selected route between different places and will keep your route private, you can specify if you want the route to be
available for others, you can give the route a name and add a description using the editor option.
Plan your own Iberian Ham Route here
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The Route of Iberian Ham
Santa Maria de Guadalupe Royal Monastery in the Villuercas region (Cﾃ｡ceres). Photo: ﾂｩ Mari ﾃ］geles y Jesﾃｺ 46 #ecotourism
ús
Online Businesses and resources Fincas - Farms - Landgüter
Dehesa de Extremadura: Cáceres Villas Viejas del Tamuja
http://bit.ly/1tTZCSD
La Majada de los Canchales http://bit.ly/1j6Y5DX
Dehesa Boyal de Botija http://bit.ly/1nyqaqR
La Tora http://bit.ly/1hHyjkW
Tres Riveros http://bit.ly/1fofHvA
Dehesa La Solana http://bit.ly/1rDX8pv
Dehesa de Extremadura: Badajoz Dehesa Campo Oliva http://bit.ly/1fIJHgC
Finca La Moneda y las Margaritas http://bit.ly/QOQuiZ
Finca Comunal Monteporrino Finca los Naranjos montobe@montobe.es
Jabugo: Huelva
Dehesa Montefrío http://bit.ly/1m0kYMT
Dehesa La Siladilla http://bit.ly/1m0kYMT
Finca El Tornero www.fincaeltornero.com
Finca La Fronda www.fincalafronda.com
Finca La Media Legua www.fincalamedialegua.es
Los Pedroches: Córdoba Cortijo El Mohedano http://bit.ly/1lnjB8j
Cortijo Charcollana http://bit.ly/QU6C2i
El Encinar – Portezuelo http://bit.ly/1hGmwrx
Palomar de la Morra http://bit.ly/1hGmyPZ
Secaderos - Drying sheds Trockenräume Dehesa de Extremadura: Cáceres Brumale S.L.
http://bit.ly/1kc1W0x
#ecotourism 47
Candelario (Salamanca) © Jose Rodriguez (urugallu)
The Route of Iberian Ham
Dehesa La Solana http://bit.ly/1isccoH
Jamón y Salud S.A. http://bit.ly/1rwx0Li
El Risco Extremeño
El culebrín
Iberpro
Joaquín Luna e Hijos S.L
http://bit.ly/1rDXFYu
http://bit.ly/QOQT4S
www.elculebrin.com www.joaquinluna.com
Acero Vázquez e Hijos S.L.
Mirador de Sierra Grande
http://bit.ly/1nyqnKN
www.miradordesierragrande.com/inicio.html
Jamones Casa Bautista
Era el Peñasco
www.jamonescasabautista.com
www.ibericoscontreras.com
Montesano
Dehesa de Extremadura: Badajoz
www.montesano.es
http://bit.ly/1tU0UwZ
Jabugo: Huelva
Cayetano Pantojo S.A. Iberlima http://bit.ly/1lnjZ6I
48 #ecotourism
Jamones Eiriz Jabugo S.L. http://bit.ly/PKhUp2
Online Businesses and resources
Francisco y Gregorio Alcaide Cera S.L. http://bit.ly/1lnkaiw
Embutidos Jabugo S.A. http://bit.ly/1lnk8XI
Juan Macías Jabugo S.A. http://bit.ly/1mQfiSF
Los Pedroches: Córdoba Bellotera Delicatessen S.L. http://bit.ly/1tU1cUr
COVAP S.C.A. http://bit.ly/1iscoEk
Museos y centros de interpretación - Museums and Interpretation Centres - Museen und Besucherzentren Dehesa de Extremadura: Cáceres Museo Rural Etnográfico http://bit.ly/1hGq6BP
Dehesa de Extremadura: Badajoz Museo Histórico y Etnográfico MUVI
http://bit.ly/1fol7XB
Centro de Interpretación de La Frontera
Ibérico de Bellota S.A.
http://bit.ly/1rDZF30
Santiago Murillo Barrancho
www.higueralareal.es
http://bit.ly/1kkGHva
Centro de Interpretacion del Cerdo Iberico
www.santiagomurillo.com
#ecotourism 49
The Route of Iberian Ham
Mountain bikes tourism around Montanchez route (Cáceres). Photo: © MTB Cruz del Río 50 #ecotourism
Online Businesses and resources Museo Del Jamón de Monesterio www.museodeljamondemonesterio.com
Museo Etnográfico http://bit.ly/1fILJg
Museo de Costumbres Populares http://bit.ly/1ivaeCW
Centro de Interpretación de La Dehesa http://bit.ly/1hGpPig
Los Pedroches: Córdoba
Museo de Costumbres Populares http://bit.ly/1ivaeCW
Jabugo: Huelva
Las Tres Cabras Aventura & Naturaleza http://bit.ly/1fkCBo3
Doñana – Aracena Aventura http://bit.ly/1fkCAjV
A Taste of Spain Travels S.L www.atasteofspain.com
Alma Natura www.almanatura.es
Somos#destinorural www.somosdestinorural.com
Foodies Andalucía www.foodiesandalucia.com
Jabugo: Huelva
Culturaleza
http://www.aracena.es/index.php/museo-del-jamon
Madre Sierra Turismo Activo
Museo del Jamón
www.culturaleza.com www.madresierraaracena.com
Empresas de Actividades y Los Pedroches: Córdoba Receptivos - Businesses dedicated Medel Viajes http://bit.ly/1m0mNtk to Activities and Receiving VisiNatural tors - Unternehmen die Aktivitäten Aventura http://bit.ly/1lnlnpS anbieten, Incoming Dehesa de Extremadura: Cáceres La Mandila
http://bit.ly/1kc4ko1
Birding Extremadura
Tiendas especializadas - Specialised Shops - Fachgeschäfte Dehesa de Extremadura: Cáceres
http://bit.ly/1m0neDT
Jamones Casa Vínculo
Viaje Encantado
http://bit.ly/1mQTSaA
http://bit.ly/1hHBxVt
La Casa del Jamón
Safari Extremadura
http://bit.ly/1kc6fsI
http://bit.ly/1fokpJK
Agila Selección
Factor Ocio – Barco del Tajo
http://bit.ly/1kc6bcB
http://bit.ly/1lnlK3H
Dehesa La Solana
Caballos del Marvao
http://bit.ly/1j74q29
http://bit.ly/1kkHSL2
miExtremadura
Eurotravel Miajadas
http://bit.ly/1itgTZq
http://bit.ly/1mQSO6u
Embutidos Sierra de Monfragüe
Monfragüe Natural
www.sierrademonfrague.com
www.monfraguenatural.com
Tienda Venta el Caldero www.ventaelcaldero.es
Dehesa de Extremadura: Badajoz
Jamones Casa Bautista
Gerocio – Centro Multiaventura Adaptado
www.jamonescasabautista.com
Grupo Xtremabuggy
Dehesa de Extremadura: Badajoz
http://bit.ly/1nV4wus
http://xtremabuggy.com/
Tentubike http://tentubike.es
Centro Ecuestre El Camino www.acaballo.net
Cumplido
http://bit.ly/1mQTfxL
Jamomeño http://bit.ly/PKjLdA
La Tienda de David http://bit.ly/1rwydSK
#ecotourism 51
The Route of Iberian Ham
La Covatilla ski track (Salamanca). Photo: 漏 Jose Antonio Cotallo L贸pez 52 #ecotourism
Online Businesses and resources Jamonesterio - dehesa Boyal
Xerete
http://bit.ly/1fkDc98
http://bit.ly/1rKvRSl
Carnicería Salchichería Fernando CB http://bit.ly/1lnmlTd
Nico Jiménez
Casa Rural Beatriz http://bit.ly/1m7R9Kk
info@nicojimenez.com
Cara Rural El Recuerdo
Jamones Angeles
http://bit.ly/1hNMJUZ
www.jamonesangeles.es
Piedras de Benquerencia
Jamones Ibéricos Cumplido
http://bit.ly/1nCZ3eu
www.yunjamon.com
Balcón de Extremadura
Ibéricos Dehesa Extremadura www.dehesaextremeña.com
El Culebrín www.elculebrin.com
Arte y Corte www.arteycorte.com
La Despensa del Ibérico www.museodelvino.info
Torres de Briz Jamones y Embutidos torresdebriz@torresdebriz.com
Joaquín Luna www.joaquinluna.com
Chachinas Perera http://bit.ly/1ivaFgL
Alojamientos - Accommodation Unterkünfte
http://bit.ly/1ftRKmT
Villa de Montánchez http://bit.ly/POsSdd
El Altozano http://bit.ly/1kbFxze
El Fontano http://bit.ly/1nCZipM
Pito Gordo http://bit.ly/1fN5PXi
Marcelino
http://bit.ly/1nCZoOf
Baldío Grande www.hotelruralcaceres.com
Hotel Victoria www.hotelvictoriatrujillo.es
Las Cigueñas www,hotelasciguenas.com
Guijuelo: Salamanca
Hostal La Cadena
Palacios de Salvatierra Casa Rural Palacios
Dos Orillas
http://www.casaruralpalacios.com/
Dehesa de Extremadura: Cáceres La Roana
http://bit.ly/1hPTilB
El Labriego http://bit.ly/1rKvG9D
El Pericuto
mesonlacadena@yahoo.es posadadosorillas@gmail.com
Hotel León http://trujillohostalleon.com/
Hostal Emilia www.laemilia.com
Hotel Rural Soterraña http://soterrana.com
Hotel Triana www.hoteltriana.es
http://bit.ly/1ftR6Wg
El Cortijo
Villa Matilde
http://www.elcortijohr.com/index.html
http://bit.ly/1jdTlwo
Puerto de Tornavacas
Vía de la Plata
info@dormireneljerte.com
http://bit.ly/1kjjRTb
Las Gamitas http://bit.ly/1m7QWXz
Casa Rural El Olivar de Valdefuentes http://bit.ly/QVvzuy
Casa Rural La Atalaya http://bit.ly/QZ3xhu
Apartamentos Rurales Marcelino http://bit.ly/1kjkkoo
Alberjerte http://alberjerte.com
La Garza Real www.garzareal.com
Los Arenales www.hotelarenales.es
El Regajo www.elregajo.es
Quinta La Luna http://quintadeluna.com
#ecotourism 53
The Route of Iberian Ham
Donana from the Acebron, very attractive viewpoint from the Jabugo Route in Huelva. Photo: Š Miguel Pozo 54 #ecotourism
Online Businesses and resources Los Canchales
El Águila
www.facebook.com/hacienda.loscanchales
http://bit.ly/1kbG0RV
Huerta del Sever
Los Templarios
www.alboradadelsever.com
http://bit.ly/1mWDh2x
La Vega
Convento de San Diego
irmardj@gmail.com
http://bit.ly/1ix0byb
Albergue Rural la Machiera
La Fuentina
reservas@barcodeltajo.com
http://bit.ly/S6nsMQ
El Jinebro
Villa Vacacional La Albuera
jinebro@hotmail.com
http://bit.ly/1fpv5Iv
Dehesa la Solana
Hospedería Convento de La Parra
www.dehesadesolana.es
http://bit.ly/1u0gBCJ
Tres Riveros
Cortijo Viña del Duco
www.dehesatresriveros.es
http://bit.ly/1fpvb2Y
El convento
Hotel Isur
www.hrelconvento.com
http://bit.ly/1nyshv0
La Ibérica
Los Castillejos
www.hoteliberica.es
http://bit.ly/PKmCmQ
Sierra de san Mamede
Tita Sacramento
http://casaruralsierrasanmamede.com
http://bit.ly/1kc8VXl
La Jiguera
Diana
www.lajiguera.com/contacto.htm
http://bit.ly/1pG7U0R
www.castañar.com
El criadero El coronel
La Tora
www.turismoruralelcoronel.com
El Castañar
http://latora.com
Apartamentos puerto Roque
Hospedería Mirador de Llerena www.hospederiasdeextremadura.es
www.puertoroque.com
Hotel Restaurante Las Tres Encinas
Apartamentos Rurales los Llanos
lastresencinas@terra.es
http://paradordelosllanos.com
Hotel Restaurante DP El Pilar
Las Avutardas
hostaldpilar@gmail.com
http://lasavutardas.com
Hotel Restaurante Moya
Hotel Carvajal
www.hotelmoya.es
www.hotelcarvajal.es
Hotel Leo
Casa Rural la Sierra de Monfragüe
www.grupo-leo.es
www.lasierrademonfrague.es
Hospederia Parque Monfragüe
Hotel España www.hotelespa-a.com
http://hospederiasdeextremadura.com
Cortijo Torres
Hotel Asur Cañada Real
montobe@montobe.es
http://www.asurhoteles.com
Hostal Carmen
Machaco
www.hostalcarmen.com
www.imachaco.com/hotel/
Hotel Huerta Honda www.hotelhuertahonda.com
Dehesa de Extremadura: Badajoz
Casa Palacio Conde de la Corte
http://bit.ly/1m7RyMR
Hacienda Arroyo la Plata
Sierra de San Mamede Los Canchales http://bit.ly/QZ4fLF
Baldío Grande
www.condedelacorte.com www.alonaturismo.com
Jabugo: Huelva
http://bit.ly/1ix08CE
Molino Río Alájar
Machaco
http://bit.ly/1h6bPe4
http://bit.ly/1rKwNpB
Finca El Tornero http://bit.ly/1j774oC
#ecotourism 55
Iberian Ham Š Curro Lucas
The Route of Iberian Ham
56 #ecotourism
Online Businesses and resources Casa Montefrío
El Encinar – Portezuelo
http://bit.ly/1rE2Yae
http://bit.ly/1m0pgnH
Finca La Media Legua
Palomar de la Morra
http://bit.ly/PKmcNd
http://bit.ly/1tU4reO
Río y Jara
Pedroches
http://bit.ly/1j76LtZ
http://bit.ly/1ithiuK
Casa Vesta
Cortijo San Álvaro
http://bit.ly/1isepAy
El Campanario y Mirador http://bit.ly/1lnpEtp
Mesón Rural Bozquez http://bit.ly/1kkKNDq
Posada La Fronda http://bit.ly/1tU5mM8
La Casa Noble
http://bit.ly/1rE12yx
El Criadero
www.elcriadero.es
Casa Abuelo Martín
www.casadelabuelomartin.es
Restaurantes - Restaurants
Dehesa de Extremadura: Cáceres
http://bit.ly/1nV8fYT
Alex Gourmet
La Estancia Villa Rosillo
http://bit.ly/1iv81Y8
http://bit.ly/1ivf0Al
Casa Claudio
Molino del Bombo
http://bit.ly/1pG59fR
http://bit.ly/1tU5iMv
Bar – Cafetería El Chupito
Finca La Portilla
http://bit.ly/1rDYe4w
http://bit.ly/QU9pbU
Merendero El Robledo
Albergue Casa Venera
http://bit.ly/1mQSmFv
http://bit.ly/1lZJr0G
Restaurante Beatriz
La Siladilla
http://bit.ly/1iteLke
http://bit.ly/1nyrYjz
El Paraíso
La posada de San Marcos
http://bit.ly/1rDYjVT
www.posadasalajar.com
Montanera
Huerta Santa Zita
http://bit.ly/1fIKyxQ
www.huertasantazita.com
Rincón de Chapete
Casa El Hornillo
http://bit.ly/1lZEKnm
http://bit.ly/1h6bHv6
Machaco
Casa La Morera
http://bit.ly/1lZELrE
http://bit.ly/1lZJVnr
Los Arenales
Casa Misolete
http://bit.ly/QU75l7
http://bit.ly/1itirCC
La Garza Real
Casa Vesta
http://bit.ly/1lnkGwM
http://bit.ly/1isepAy
La Posada de Alájar
www.laposadadealajar.com
Los Pedroches: Córdoba Casa Rural Rosalía http://bit.ly/1nys0bc
Los Usías http://bit.ly/1hGuuAL
Cerro Caña http://bit.ly/1tU4yH4
El Coronel http://bit.ly/1hHElCe
Manolín
Puerto de Tornavacas http://bit.ly/1hGo3Oj
La Bodega de las Cigüeñas http://bit.ly/1kc3aJh
Restaurante Triana http://bit.ly/1nyqC8u
La Ibérica
http://bit.ly/1h67wPY
Restaurante Venta el Caldero www.ventaelcaldero.es
Asador Abuelo Bruno Restaurante Carvajal El Parador de los Llanos www.laterrona.com
http://bit.ly/1kc6P9R
Cortijo Charcollana http://bit.ly/1lnon5N
#ecotourism 57
Online Businesses and resources Dehesa de Extremadura: Badajoz
La Tojera
Restaurante Leo www.grupo-leo.es
http://bit.ly/1fojbyl
Restaurante Los Templarios
Montealba
www.hotellostemplarios.net
http://bit.ly/1kbIdwK
Hacienda Arroyo La Plata
La Montanera
www.alonaturismo.com
http://bit.ly/QOShEG
Restaurante el Refugio
El Convento
elrefugio2001@hotmail.com
http://bit.ly/1hGoSGT
Mesón Rural Huerta y Brasa
Los Canchales http://bit.ly/1k2tRyC
El Fogón de Santa María http://bit.ly/1iv9mOS
La Dehesa http://bit.ly/1tU1YAO
Moba http://bit.ly/1fkCtVv
El Rinconcillo http://bit.ly/1kpHfQx
Ruta del Jabugo: Huelva Manolo Rivero El Manzano http://bit.ly/1iyj9ys
Montecruz http://bit.ly/1hPVuK0
El Mirador de Jabugo http://bit.ly/1mUNPSj
Mesón Los Canastos
www.mesonloscanastos.com
Doña Mariana
Mesón Montesierra
http://bit.ly/1lukRqk
www.montesierra.es
Restaurante Isur
Arrieros
Buiza
Meson Rural Bozquez
Restaurante Las Tres Encinas
Maricastaña
http://bit.ly/1hPV2v5 http://bit.ly/QZ50Ez lastresencinas@terra.es
Cafeteria Restaurante Mallorca www.cafeteriamallorca.com
http://bit.ly/1pKC1UL www.bozquezrural.es
www.restaurantemaricastana.singularbox.com
Ruta de los Pedroches: Córdoba
Restaurante Payva
La Brasseria
http://payva.es
http://bit.ly/1iyjnFP
Restaurante Museo del Vino
Mesón Rural Huerta y Brasa
www.museodelvino.info
http://bit.ly/1mWF73u
Restaurante Rogelio www.hostalcarmen.com
Restaurante Barbacana www.hotelhuertahonda.com
Las Columnas
http://bit.ly/1o06CJi
Puerta Falsa
www.lapuertafalsa.es
Restaurante La Cercha www.casasruralesburguillos.com
Restaurante El Comeero www.joaquinluna.com
Restaurante Nautilus www.nautilusbarcarrota.com
Restaurante Heredero www.hotelheredero.net
Restaurante Arteaga Restaurante Casa Maíla www.casamaila.com
Restaurante DP El Pilar hostaldpilar@gmail.com
Restaurante Moya www.hotelmoya.es
58 #ecotourism
© Francisco José Sánchez Montero
www.palacioarteaga.com
The Route of Iberian Ham
#ecotourism 59
60 #ecotourism