Читать книгу Coastal Walks in Andalucia. The best hiking trails close to Andalucía's Mediterranean and Atlantic Coastlines онлайн

52 страница из 59

Wind turbines on the Cerro del Búho

The world’s largest dovecot, El Palomar de la Breña

The dovecot (palomar) that gives its name to the hotel was built in the 18th century and contains 7700 niches, making it the largest in the world. The breeding birds once produced between 10 and 15 tonnes of guano or ‘black gold’ per year which was used to manufacture gunpowder. Additional income was obtained by the sale of the pigeons to the aristocratic families of Cádiz at a time when pigeon was a delicacy only the wealthy could afford. The birds were also caged and taken on board ships bound for the Americas, ensuring a supply of fresh meat even when far from port.

There’s no entrance fee to visit the dovecot but rather a voluntary donation.

From El Palomar de la Breña continue along a broad sandy track which leads to the edge of the forest of the Parque Natural de la Breña. Crossing a cattle grid the track arcs right then merges with a broader track which, running on in a westerly direction, reaches a junction with tarmac road. Here, turning right and crossing another cattle grid, you reach another junction. Here turn left then after 125m cut right at a horse-riding sign for Vejer de la Frontera along a broad track which climbs back towards Vejer.