Pedro Abad: Churches, Roman Remains and River Landscape

Cultural and Religious Heritage

The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Pedro Abad dates back to the first quarter of the 14th century and preserves its original layout with three naves. Its façade features a 16th-century portal with a round arch, coffered pilasters, and decoration combining Gothic and Renaissance motifs.

The Iglesia de Santa Rafaela María was built in 1950 as a historicist, single-nave, vaulted church with polychrome marble elements. Beneath its altar is a crypt where relatives of Santa Rafaela María are buried.

The Convento de las Esclavas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús is the birthplace of Santa Rafaela María. An oratory is located in the room where she was born; the convent also houses the Santa Rafaela María Museum.

The Pósito Municipal dates from 1785 and was built from local Molinaza stone. Today, the building houses the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo.

The Mezquita Basharat has a library containing numerous Islamic texts in various languages and dialects. It is considered the first mosque built in Spain after almost eight centuries.

Other destinations in this selection of towns are Encinas Reales, Luque, Aguilar De La Frontera, Hinojosa Del Duque, Nueva Carteya, Cerro Muriano, Fuente Palmera and Peñarroya-Pueblonuevo.

Roman Remains

The ancient Roman city of Sacili Martialis, also known as Sacili Martialium, is located on the Alcurrucén estate in Pedro Abad. The Ruta Calzadas Romanas is a 10-kilometre linear route of medium difficulty that can be completed on foot or by bicycle.

The Ruta Calzadas Romanas leads to Cerro de Alcurrucén, where numerous remains of the vanished Roman city of Sacili Martialium have been found. Sacili Martialis, or Martialium, also produced a renowned collection of marble sculptures, most of which apparently belonged to a group of statues dedicated to the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

The two Roman bronzes Efebo Apolíneo and Dionisíaco were found in the area around Pedro Abad and are considered an exceptional discovery. They are intended to be kept permanently at the Museo Arqueológico de Córdoba, where a public exhibition was scheduled for autumn 2024.

River Area and Trails

Near Pedro Abad lies Presa El Salto, a Neo-Moorish ensemble consisting of a dam and power station. The structure is designated as a BIC monument within the municipality of El Carpio and is located on the Pedro Abad–Adamuz road.

The Embarcadero Recreativo y Centro Acuático de Pedro Abad can be reached from the A-4 via exit 367 towards Seville or exit 370 towards Madrid. The Camino de Alcurrucén then follows the CO-410 for approximately 5 kilometres to the destination.

The Embarcadero is suitable for canoeing, rowing, paddleboarding, cycling, hiking, and birdwatching. The river area there lies within the Natura 2000 site of special conservation importance for the middle Guadalquivir and provides a habitat for numerous birds and mammals.

Festivals and Traditions

El Prendimiento is a procession held on Maundy Thursday in Pedro Abad. Its tradition dates back to the 17th century and is based on an older religious mystery play using texts from the Gospels.

La Quema de los Judas takes place on the evening of Holy Saturday in Pedro Abad. Grotesque Judas effigies hung in the streets are burned to the sound of drums, amid mockery and a lively neighbourhood atmosphere.

The Fiesta de Santa Rafaela María takes place every year on 18 May and includes a three-day street festival on Calle Madre Filomena.

At 10 a.m. on 1 May, the Romería de Santiago el Menor sets off from the Parroquia de la Asunción on Plaza de Andalucía and takes Santiago to his new hermitage on Cerro de las Graveras. During the festivities in honour of Santiago el Menor, the traditional “chorchos”—lupins or salty snacks—are distributed.

The brotherhood in Pedro Abad has more than 200 members and continues its activities during the religious celebrations of the Purificación de Ntra. Sra. (Candelaria) and Corpus Christi.

To the main travel overview: Cordoba.