Charming towns of Córdoba

You want to know charming towns of Cordoba? In this case, we will tell you that this beautiful Andalusian province has some of the most outstanding monumental and landscape jewels in southern Spain. Already the capital itself, Cordova, is the city that has the most titles of Heritage in the world.

But, in addition, its province includes small towns with whitewashed houses that seem to hang from the slopes of Sierra Morena or Subbética mountain range. It also has others located at the foot of the Guadalquivir river and a third located in the countryside, surrounded by spectacular fields of olive trees or vineyards. Given the impossibility of telling you about all of them, we are going to show you some charming towns in Córdoba.

Zuheros

Exactly at Subbética region Cordoba belongs to this small town of less than seven hundred inhabitants. Perched on a cliff that provides impressive views, its old town has been declared historical set.

This is due to its narrow streets and white houses typical of the area. But also to the remains of his castle, which dominates it from the rock that crowns the mountain where the town is. It is believed that it was built in the XNUMXth century, although it has undergone several subsequent reforms. Thus, the Almohads built a prismatic tower and the walled enclosure. Already in the XNUMXth century, the palace of the Lords of Zuheros was built in the same place, in Renaissance style and which was never finished.

On the other hand, you should also visit in this Cordovan town the Church of the Remedies. But, one of its great tourist attractions is the bat cave, which is four kilometers away and is a natural monument. At almost a thousand meters above sea level and about seventy-five deep, it is the largest in the entire province of Córdoba.

It is 415 meters long and so important that, according to experts, the skeleton of a person who lived more than seven thousand years ago was found there. As for its geological forms, if you visit it, be sure to pay attention to el Asparagus, a stalagmite four meters high.

Finally, in the Zuheros environment you have the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park, a wonder of thirty-one thousand hectares. It offers numerous hiking trails such as the Bailón River or the Green Way of Oil.

Priego, one of the charming towns of Córdoba par excellence

We now come to the beautiful town of Priego, described as "the jewel of Cordovan baroque" due to the numerous buildings of this style that it has. As a curiosity, we will also tell you that it is known as the "city of water" due to the large number of springs that sprout in its surroundings. Likewise, thirty assets of the locality belong to the Andalusian Historical Heritage.

You can start your visit to Priego by barrio of the Villa, of Muslim origin, which stands out for its narrow and winding streets framed by white houses decorated with flowers. Next to it is the Priego's castle, also built in times of Al-Andalus, although reformed in the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. It also borders the neighborhood Balcony of the Adarve, with its three fountains and a height of fifty-five meters. We do not need to mention the beautiful views you have from it.

On the other hand, in the Constitution Plaza, which is known as «el Paseillo», you have the building of the Town hall. And near is the Orchard of the Infantas, consisting of a building and gardens in a romantic style. In Calle Río you have numerous stately mansions (many of them baroque) among which the birthplace of Alcala Zamora, who was president of the Second Republic. Finally, regarding civil constructions, you can also see the Royal Butchers, from the XNUMXth century, and the precious King's Fountain, equally baroque style.

As regards the religious heritage of Priego de Córdoba, the church of Our Lady of the Assumption, built in 1525 following the Gothic-Mudejar canons. However, its Santa Ana door is plateresque and the interior baroque. Noteworthy with regard to the latter is the Sanctuary.

But, logically, it is not the only interesting temple in the town. The conventual church of San Francisco it is also gothic with mudejar elements. Instead, those of Our Lady of Sorrows and San Pedro are baroque, while those of the Carmen and Mercedes They are transitional to neoclassical. And of Our Lady of Dawn It is a beauty of rococo style.

Iznajar

We could continue showing you the wonders of Priego, but it is better that we move to Iznájar, which is smaller, but just as beautiful. It is located on the shores of Genil River and a reservoir. And she crowns her Hisn Ashar Castle, whose first descriptions date back to the XNUMXth century. However, it underwent several modifications until the XNUMXth century.

At your side you have church of Santiago Apóstol, Renaissance style, although inside there is a beautiful baroque altarpiece. It stands next to the pretty Raphael Alberti square. But if we are talking about beautiful spaces in the locality, the winner is Courtyard of Comedies, with its white houses and blue pots overflowing with flowers. Originally, it was used as a souk, but later plays were performed there, hence its name.

Very close to this square is the Saint Raphael tower, the only vestige that remains of the old wall. In turn, it owes its name to the figure of this saint that is in the upper part. It offers you magnificent views of the Cordovan countryside, although perhaps better are the ones you have from viewpoints such as those of the three crosses y the miseries.

Finally, the Iznájar reservoir has an interesting interpretation center. And, above all, the inland beach of Valdearenas, equipped for you to take a bath and even for you to practice water sports.

Montoro, another jewel among the charming towns of Córdoba

We now travel to the beautiful town of Montoro, located at the foot of one of the meanders of the Guadalquivir in full Sierra de Cardeña Natural Park. Its old town is Historic Artistic Set for buildings such as House of the Boxes. But also because of the Ducal Palace of Alba and Montoro and Casa of the Tercerías, which today houses the Olive Museum.

Likewise, you should see in this town the Mocha Tower Gate, rest of the old wall, and the Mayor or Maidens Bridge, dating from the fifteenth century. As an anecdote, we will tell you that it owes its name to the fact that it was finished thanks to the fact that the women of the town donated their jewels.

It is also curious shell house. And, in terms of religious heritage, you have the church of San Bartolomé Apóstol, built in the fifteenth century in accordance with the Gothic-Mudejar style. Inside, it houses a beautiful baroque chapel. Precisely to this style belongs the church of Our Lady of Carmenwhile that of Santa Maria de la Mota is today the Archaeological Museum.

Also the old temple of Santiago holds a sample. In this case the Museum of Holy Week. It is dedicated to the celebration of this festival in the town, which has been declared of national tourist interest. And the same we can tell you about the Hermitage of San Jacinto, which is currently the Museum of the Painter Antonio Rodríguez Luna.

Finally, on the outskirts you have the Rural Park with the Hermitage of Our Lady of Fuensanta, which is a place of pilgrimage. And also several optical telegraphy towers, dating from the mid-XNUMXth century.

oxen wolverine

Located in the Subbética region Córdoba, this small town is one of the most hidden charming towns in Córdoba. Perhaps it is due to the fact that it is located between mountainous elevations such as those of lobatejo y Chickens, about six hundred and fifty meters above sea level.

Your visit to Carcabuey has to start with its muslim castle, which dates from the XNUMXth century and is in fairly poor condition. However, inside you can see a hermitage from the XNUMXth century. For its part, the pillar fountain It is carved by hand on the limestone rock and on the watchtower of Gutter you will get beautiful views of the mountains.

As regards the religious heritage of Carcabuey, the Church of the Assumption, built in the XNUMXth century and which houses images created by Alonzo de Mena. Also that of San Marcos stands out for its imagery, from Mena himself, from John of God Santaella and Francis Pedrajas. For its part, hermitage of Santa Ana It is from the XNUMXth century, as is the Shrine of the Virgen de las Angustias, an urban altar. Similar to this is the monument to the Virgin of the Castle, a fountain dominated by a mosaic dedicated to her.

In conclusion, we have recommended some charming towns of Cordoba. Inevitably, we have left others in the pipeline. For example, Luque, with its imposing Moorish castle popularly known as "el Venceaire"; Almodóvar del Río, with its spectacular old town; Belalcazar, with its majestic castle of the Sotomayor and Zúñiga family, or the literary Obejuna Fountain, with its stately homes. Don't you think they are enough reasons to visit the beautiful province of Córdoba?