Alcolea: Bridges, History and Trails

Trails

The PR-A 53 route connects Córdoba with the Barriada de Alcolea via the Vereda de la Alcaidía and then the Vereda de Linares. Known as the PR-A 53 Vereda Córdoba–Alcolea, it runs along the transition between the Guadalquivir plain and the foothills of the Sierra Morena. A digital route sheet, maps and downloadable GPS tracks are available for the route. This provides you with a route description, cartographic materials and digital GPS data for your preparation. The route alignment and the landscape description complement each other to provide a clear spatial overview: the connection begins in Córdoba, follows two named Veredas and reaches the Barriada de Alcolea at the transition to the Sierra Morena. The available materials include both a cartographic representation and a digital version of the route.

The route begins in Córdoba and initially follows the Vereda de la Alcaidía before reaching the Barriada de Alcolea via the Vereda de Linares. This explicitly records the starting point, destination and sequence of the two named trail sections. The digital route sheet, maps and downloadable GPS tracks are available in different formats for the same route described.

History

The Puente de los Piconeros is a bridge of Roman origin and formed part of the Via Augusta on the section between Castulo and Corduba. Today’s Puente de Alcolea also dates back to a Roman crossing. It was renovated as part of the infrastructure works under Charles III and Charles IV; construction began in 1787 and was completed in 1792. Significant battles took place at this bridge in 1808 and 1868.

The Castillo de La Isabela is located in Alcolea. At the end of the 19th century, it was built by the Conde de Torres Cabrera, Don Ricardo Martel y Fernández de Córdoba, as a residence and for the foundation of a colony. The remains of the Molino de Alcolea lie on the banks of the Guadalquivir next to the Puente de Alcolea in Alcolea.

The Trincheras de Alcolea II are defensive structures from the Spanish Civil War. They are located on the eastern edge of Alcolea between the Guadalquivir and the CO-3103 road.

Buildings

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles is open to the public during liturgical celebrations. The Noria de Alcolea is a historic building constructed in 1883 to supply water to a sugar factory. The Turbina de Alcolea dates from the late 19th century; a modern hydroelectric power station is located next to it.

The Puente de Hierro is an iron bridge built as part of the railway infrastructure of the Córdoba–Madrid line.

Festivals

During the festivities, visitors can sample the “gran caracolada” at the Feria de Alcolea.

More destinations

Other destinations you can discover from this page include Peñarroya-Pueblonuevo, El Cerezo, La Jara, Adamuz, El Cañuelo, Moriles, Villaviciosa De Córdoba and Cardeña.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cordoba.