Priego de Córdoba: Cultural Heritage at the Foot of the Sierras Subbéticas

Priego de Córdoba lies at the foot of the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park and is a stop on the Ruta del Califato, a European Cultural Route that runs through Andalusian territories from Córdoba to Granada.

Culture

The Barrio de la Villa y Balcón del Adarve was declared a historic-artistic ensemble in 1972 and has a medieval Muslim character, with winding, whitewashed and narrow streets. For this neighbourhood, a walking tour is recommended from Plaza de Santa Ana via Calle Real, Placita de San Antonio and Calle Jazmines to the Adarve. El Castillo is an Arab fortress that was remodelled in the 13th and 14th centuries and was originally used primarily for military purposes. Along the Vial del Castillo pedestrian path, visitors can walk between the fortress walls and those of the medieval town, while observing medieval construction techniques.

The Museo Histórico Municipal is an archaeological museum founded in 1983. The visitor area is spread across four rooms and a colonnaded courtyard and presents, in chronological order, the period from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages. The finds on display include prehistoric metal tools from the 3rd to the 2nd millennium BC, including bronze arrowheads and knives, as well as a silver pendant. A model of the Lastra dolmen is also on display; it is considered the only known megalithic remains in the south of the Province of Córdoba.

The Casa Museo D. Niceto Alcalá-Zamora y Torres is located in the birthplace of the president of the Second Spanish Republic, a stately 19th-century house. It showcases the house's original layout, garden and furnishings, as well as original objects, photographs, drawings and information panels.

Nature and Hiking

Pico Tiñosa is the highest point in the Province of Córdoba. The San Miguel del Castellar circular hike is 17.6 kilometres long, takes approximately four and a half hours, has a medium-high to high difficulty level and reaches a maximum elevation of 872 metres. The Cruz de los Panaderos trail passes through the Sierra de Albayate and combines natural, archaeological and ethnographic interest with Mediterranean woodland flora and fauna. Fuente del Rey is considered Priego's most monumental fountain, with more than one hundred outlets.

Traditions

The Hermanos de la Aurora, a group of bell singers, walk through the streets of Priego every Saturday at midnight, singing locally composed coplas and calling people to pray the rosary. The oldest surviving record book of the Hermanos de la Aurora begins on 1 January 1696. The Domingos de Mayo originated more than three and a half centuries ago; their essential structure, with solemn religious services, a sermon, music and a procession on Sunday afternoon, has been preserved.

Olive Oil

The Ruta Turismo y Aceite connects Almedinilla, Fuente Tójar and Priego de Córdoba under the protected designation of origin DOP Priego de Córdoba. As part of this route, it is possible to visit an olive oil mill and learn about the olive oil production process.

The local pages Castil De Campos, La Poyata, Zagrilla Alta and Lagunillas Las are also available.

To the main travel overview: Cordoba.

More About the Destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Priego de Córdoba: Baroque, fountains and travel planning.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

La Paz, Zambra, Belalcázar.