Baena: Olive Groves, History and Vía Verde

Baena lies on the slopes of a hill surrounded by olive groves and cereal fields.

Find more places here: El Hoyo, Encinas Reales, Montemayor, El Villar, Santa María De Trassierra, Huertas Bajas de Cabra, Añora.

Culture

The La Tercia Archaeological and Historical Museum is housed in the Casa de la Tercia. The building was constructed between 1792 and 1795 as a grain and seed store, as well as an oil cellar. The museum holds significant archaeological collections. Most of them come from excavations at the Torreparedones Archaeological Park. The collection particularly includes the sanctuary's votive assemblage and Roman sculptures from the forum.

The Casa de la Tercia thus combines its former function as a storage and storehouse building with the museum collection. At Torreparedones, traces of different eras stand side by side, while the churches reveal further historical layers and preserved furnishings. In Baena, the historical evidence ranges from the possible minaret to the tiles from Cuenca and the Roman sculptures of the forum.

History

Torreparedones preserves evidence of at least 3,500 years of settlement and use, spanning from the Copper Age to the Late Middle Ages. The site reached its greatest prosperity during the Iberian and Roman periods. By the 6th century BC at the latest, Torreparedones was surrounded by a strong wall reinforced with towers. The wall enclosed an area of 10.5 hectares.

The first accounts of the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor date back to the 13th century. The surviving tower of this church appears to be a Muslim minaret from the 9th century. Interesting 16th-century tiles from Cuenca have been preserved on the walls and floor of the Iglesia Conventual Madre de Dios.

Castillo de Baena is presented as a visitor attraction with a historically themed tour. The tour tells stories of betrayal and battles. It also features tales of unfulfilled love and extraordinary deeds of heroism.

Landscape

The Cueva del Yeso formed in a layer approximately 60 metres thick. This layer consists of solid gypsum. The Cueva del Yeso includes the 106-metre-long Galería Agudo with three lakes.

Food and Drink

The Almazara Núñez de Prado offers visits by appointment. The almazara preserves a granite roller mill. Its preserved features also include oil cellars with earthenware jars dating from 1795. Guided visits are available in Baena. Tastings are available in Baena. Personalised visits are offered for groups of at least five people.

Routes

The Vía Verde crosses the N-432. The crossing is via an 83-metre-long elevated footbridge. Shortly before Luque station, the Vía Verde connects with the Vía Verde de la Subbética. Near the edge of Baena's municipal area, the Vía Verde can be accessed via Calle Juan Torrico Lomeña.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cordoba.

More about the destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Baena: Olive Oil, Old Town and Excursions near Córdoba.