Montoro on the Guadalquivir: History, Culture and Landscape

Landscape

As it passes through Montoro, the Guadalquivir forms a sharply curved meander. The river has cut into the Palaeozoic rocks of the foothills of the Sierra Morena; the meander is considered one of the best national examples of an epigenic meander. Montoro is located in Andalusia, an autonomous community in southern Spain. The town lies on a small hill beside the Guadalquivir, which divides it into two districts. In Montoro’s landscape, the mountains, river and Campiña come together.

History and Culture

Montoro was declared a historic-artistic site in 1969. The bridge over the river is considered a tourist attraction of architectural interest dating from the 15th century. The Church of San Bartolomé is also considered a tourist attraction of architectural interest dating from the 15th century. The remains of the Castillo de la Mota are considered tourist attractions in Montoro.

Museums

The Museo Arqueológico Municipal de Montoro is housed in the former Church of Santa María del Castillo de la Mota. The church was built in the 13th century over older Christian and Arab structures. The museum was founded to preserve, research and interpret the archaeology and history of Montoro and its municipality. Its collection comprises archaeological materials from prehistory to the Middle Ages, including a Roman thoracata and the head of a lar.

The Museo de la Semana Santa de Montoro is located in the surviving parts of a former manor house with an ornately carved door made of Molinaza stone. Its permanent exhibition displays processional objects, original sculptures, procession structures, historic photographs, glass negatives and religious textiles.

The Tercias building was constructed in 1748 by Francisco Luis de Mora to store oil, wine and wheat collected as tithes. Today, it houses the Museo del Pintor Rodríguez Luna, which preserves part of the work of this painter from Montoro.

A building in Montoro is covered with millions of seashells and river shells.

Traditions and Routes

Montoro’s Semana Santa preserves traditional values and elements and has been recognized as a “Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional de Andalucía” (Festival of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia).

Montoro’s historic route network comprises five routes covering the periods from Roman times, the Middle Ages, the Early Modern period and the Modern era through to the present day. The Montoro–Marmolejo section of the GR-48 is suitable for hiking or horseback riding.

Other destinations: Campo-Nubes, Cerro Muriano, Nueva Carteya, Hornachuelos, Luque, El Hoyo, Ochavillo del Río and La Fuente Grande.

Cuisine

Pago Las Monjas offers daytime tastings of extra virgin olive oil, during which different flavour profiles and quality characteristics are explained.

Those considering Montoro as a travel destination can also add a hotel to their personal travel plans for their stay and get to know the town at their leisure.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cordoba.