Join us in a stunning Historic Route through early 19th-Century Spanish Independence War against French invaders (1808-1814).

It was in 1810 when King Joseph-Napoleon Bonaparte (José I as King of Spain) decided to lead the French army against Andalusia. It took him only a few weeks to conquer most Andalusian provinces, except some unyielding, free territories, such as the highlands of Ronda and the Cádiz province.
The Spanish Independence War was an extremely brutal conflict beyond imagination.

Let yourself immerse in History following the track of French invaders, a route dotted with campgrounds and devastated villages from Morón de la Frontera to Algodonales. In addition, if you visit us on May 2nd you will have the chance to enjoy a historical recreation full of cannons, rifles, powder, battles, period costumes, street markets,…

We have explored this route with our mountain bikes and we would like to share its secrets with you!

Our offer includes: support vehicle, guide, GPS route, recording of your experience, and, best of all, a visit to Morón de la Frontera, Montellano, Puerto Serrano and Algodonales, where you will not only enjoy its monuments but also its tapas, wines and beers.

This is part of Jaime Aragón’s narration:
The most difficult task was to fight against the French invaders to defend their country. They only had out-dated, useless weapons and no military training at all to face the bravest army ever in Europe. Instead, they fought more with their hearts, their hands, their intuition…

They knew the country very well, its paths and steep mountains. They lunched surprise attacks against the Imperial soldiers and then fled away to hidden caves and forests, ready to catch the ennemy off-guard again.

They stole weapons, destroyed cannons and intercepted letters. In short, they drove Napoleon’s generals to despair, forcing them to garrison part of their troops in the villages. They would not let the French soldiers sleep or relax, keeping them restless, without knowing when a new attack would take place. They felt death looming over them…

These humble soldiers did more for their country than they would have done as part of a regular army, usually commanded by incompetent generals whose power was based more on their noble family origins than on their bravery and military knowledge.

On April 22, 1810, the French invaders, commanded by colonel Bonnemains, try to take Montellano. Since they were incapable of defeating the population, Colonel Bonnemains decided to set the village on fire.

On May 2, 1819, Napoleon’s army raided Algodonales in one of the cruellest battles of that time. An epic local defense together with an unexpected high number of French casualties led to an incredibly cruel repression against the people of Algodonales. The French set the village on fire and shot women, children, and old people… A total amount of 239 people were killed…

In Jaime Aragón’s words:
The people of Algodonales had the leading role in a revolution that took place exactly 2 years after the famous rebellion against the French invaders that happened in Madrid on May 2, 1808. I am sure that Goya, should he have heard about Algodonales, would have been inspired to his painting by the feat of a small village as much as he had been by the the bravery of the people of Madrid. Doubtless, such a painting would have been one of fire, anger, death and, above all, courage…

Thanks to their bravery and patriotism, the people of Montellano and Algodonales have their place in history in gold and blood letters…

We only beg you

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS!