Benamejí: History, Landscape and Culture

Benamejí in Córdoba preserves the Yacimiento de La Silera, an archaeological site protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The underground structure carved into the rock was probably used to store agricultural products. The Yacimiento is considered unique in Andalusia because no similar agricultural storage facilities are known there.

Culture

The Centro-Museo La Duquesa de Benamejí explores historical and romantic banditry and examines it through literature, music, painting, visual arts, theatre and film. At the Museo de la Duquesa de Benamejí, visitors can take a historical tour of 19th-century romantic banditry.

The Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepción houses a large collection of paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. It was built on the orders of Don Diego de Bernuy, the first Marquis of Benamejí, and is regarded as a representative example of Cordoban Baroque.

The Puente Renacentista Hernán Ruiz II is a 16th-century bridge spanning the Río Genil along the old road to Antequera. It was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 2001. Hernán Ruiz II designed it; among his fully completed engineering works, it is his only example built entirely from scratch.

History

The earliest settlements in Benamejí are associated with the Castillo de Gómez Arias. The castle overlooks the Río Genil and is located in a somewhat remote landscape south of the town. Benamejí’s origins date back to the 9th century.

The Ruta del Tempranillo is a tourist route inspired by the legend of the romantic bandit José María “El Tempranillo”. It passes through the provinces of Córdoba, Seville and Málaga and connects, among other places in Córdoba, Jauja, Lucena, Benamejí and Palenciana.

Landscape

La Grieta de Benamejí is one of Andalusia’s most significant geological phenomena and almost caused part of the town of Benamejí to disappear. The viewpoint on Paseo Reina Sofía, popularly known as La Grieta, offers views of the Castillo de Gómez Arias and the Puente Renacentista Hernán Ruiz II.

The Río Genil crosses Benamejí from east to west along a deeply incised, highly meandering course. Parts of the western municipal area feature rugged terrain and very steep slopes. The Río Genil’s riverside woodland near Benamejí includes tamarisks as well as centuries-old alders, elms and poplars, combining natural vegetation with vegetation shaped by human activity.

Riverside Trails

The Ruta de las Norias del Río Genil is a circular trail through reforested pine woodland, olive groves, gardens, orchards and riverside woodland along the Río Genil. It leads to the waterwheels of Huerta de las Cruces, Isla de San Miguel and Campo del Castillo, which are believed to have Arab origins.

The route follows the PR-A 160, the so-called Camping Trail, as well as part of the Paisajes con Historia hiking route: Ruta de las Norias del Río Genil. The Centro de Actividades del Río Genil serves as a visitor reception centre for those who come to Benamejí and El Tejar to travel downstream along the Río Genil.

The course of the Río Genil near Benamejí is suitable for active tourism activities such as canoeing, rafting, bungee jumping and canyoning.

Events and Traditions

On 15 August, Benamejí’s patron saint, Nuestra Señora de Gracia Coronada, is brought down into the town and remains at the Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepción until 13 September. Benamejí Bandolera is an organised activity offering historical immersion in Benamejí. “La Duquesa de Benamejí” was a cultural event connected with local identity held in Benamejí at the end of July 2024.

Other Places

Other places to include in your Andalusia plans are La Jara, Hornachuelos, Santaella, La Guijarrosa, Pozoblanco, La Paz, El Cañuelo and Almedinilla.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cordoba.