Castro del Río: Fortress, Olive Wood and Guadajoz

In Castro del Río, the Barrio de la Villa is a fortified quarter founded in the 12th century, with white houses, squares, and narrow, steep streets.

Culture

The Recinto Amurallado is an irregularly shaped fortification dating from the Almohad period of the 13th century; the Castillo Fortaleza is attached at one end.

The Castillo Fortaleza is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC). Its essentially square layout, with a parade ground and corner towers, appears to date back to the 14th century; its cylindrical tower contains a cistern with a capacity of 80 cubic metres.

The Pósito Municipal houses permanent exhibitions, including the Centro de Interpretación de la Madera del Olivo and the Museo de Usos y Costumbres. The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is designated a Bien de Interés Cultural and is one of the first rural churches in the Diocese of Córdoba.

The Iglesia de Jesús Nazareno was built between 1700 and 1733 and contains a high altarpiece created in 1734 by Gaspar Lorenzo de los Cobos. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Salud was built in the early years of the 17th century; its altarpiece is made of carved and polychromed wood.

Castro del Río's Semana Santa has held the distinction “de Interés Turístico Nacional de Andalucía” since 21 March 2001. The Romería in honour of Nuestra Señora de la Salud takes place on the first Saturday in June; its procession crosses the Guadajoz River.

Castro del Río is associated with Miguel de Cervantes: he visited the town several times, arrived there in 1587, and was imprisoned there on one occasion. Today, Castro del Río is one of the ten municipalities on the Ruta de Blas Infante.

The Reñidero de Gallos is one of the oldest cockfighting venues in Spain; it is currently active without betting and continues to hold individual annual trials for breeding selection, breed improvement, and export.

Crafts and Cuisine

The craft tradition of Castro del Río includes the manufacture of olive wood furniture using traditional carving and construction techniques. Olive wood furniture and objects include, among other things, chairs, armchairs, rocking chairs, and decorative items.

The Ars Olea craft fair, held in October, brings together olive wood craftsmanship, gastronomy, and olive tree culture in the Barrio de la Villa.

Traditional dishes from Castro del Río during Semana Santa include spinach with chickpeas and fried cod. Traditional cuisine also includes albóndigas, albondigón, and flamenquines; olive oil is highlighted as a particularly important ingredient.

A gastronomic event dedicated to bacalao includes cooking competitions, wine tastings, and the promotion of cod products.

Nature and Routes

The Guadajoz River surrounds Castro del Río. Sections of gallery forest have been preserved in its riparian woodland, serving as a refuge for wild flora and fauna. Castro del Río is one of Spain's Important Bird Areas (IBAs).

Small, agriculturally used gardens lie on gently defined terraces in the Guadajoz River valley.

The linear Sendero Cordel de la Campiña–GR 43 hiking trail runs through the municipal areas of Córdoba, Castro del Río, and Baena and can be traversed on foot, on horseback, or by bicycle.

A 180-kilometre route between Córdoba and Granada passes through Castro del Río and is used by pilgrims travelling on foot and by bicycle. The main branch of this route runs through Espejo, Baena, Alcaudete, Castillo de Locubín, and Alcalá la Real.

You can find more local pages here: Fuente Obejuna, Villaharta, Venta del Charco, El Tarajal, Puente Genil, El Villar, Monturque and Baena.

For the broader travel overview: Cordoba.