Villanueva del Duque: Culture, Nature and Trails

The Vía Verde de la Minería runs for 17.4 km from the former El Soldado railway station in Villanueva del Duque to the municipal boundary between Villanueva del Duque and Bélmez. It passes through grazed holm oak groves and gentle hills; its western end lies in a mountainous landscape with more varied vegetation. Its surface consists of compacted earth and gravel.

Nature

The southern landscape of Villanueva del Duque encompasses extensive grazed holm oak groves; the higher areas include the source of the Cuzna River and the Sierra del Viñón. In the Sierra of Villanueva del Duque there are pine forests and dense vegetation providing shelter for wild boar and deer; common birds in the area include jackdaws and kestrels. The natural viewpoint at the Ermita de San Gregorio offers views of Villanueva del Duque and large parts of the valley, from Pozoblanco to Hinojosa del Duque and from El Viso and the mountains of Santa Eufemia to the El Soldado mines and the mountains connected with the Valle del Guadiato. The Ruta de las Trincheras del Viñón passes through grazed holm oak groves and a mountain range.

Culture

The Ruta Villanueva Románica connects the Ermita Virgen de Guía with the Museo Tallas Románicas in the Iglesia San Mateo and is 1.3 km long. This route includes six Romanesque carvings, considered the oldest in Andalusia, as well as a museum dedicated to them. The six Romanesque carvings were discovered in 1955 during construction work in a niche in the Ermita de la Virgen de Guía and show clear influences of Basque-Navarrese iconography from the second half of the 13th century. The nave, tower and choir of the Parroquia de San Mateo Apóstol had been fully built by 1551 at the latest. The Ruta Cruces de Villanueva leads to an open-air museum, wells, shafts and waterwheels, as well as other water-related architectural features. The Museo de la Antigua Molina presents traditional olive oil production methods through an old stone olive mill, a hydraulic press and settling tanks.

Experiences

The Observatorio Astronómico de Villanueva del Duque enables observation of stars, planets and the entire universe and serves both public education and research. It has a five-metre dome with space for groups of up to twelve people. Next to the observatory there is an astronomical viewpoint with two information panels about the night sky and a power supply for using visitors’ own telescopes. The Ruta de las Trincheras del Viñón is a circular route that begins at Estación de Peñas Blancas, passes through El Calerín and the Trincheras del Viñón, and returns to the starting point along a parallel path. Villaduke Esaventura offers a course in the Dehesa Boyal recreation area with suspension bridges, Ciclocart races, archery, blowpipe shooting and paintball.

Cuisine

The traditional cuisine of Villanueva del Duque is based on pork-slaughter products as well as lamb’s tail, migas, escabeche, sobrehusa, ajo and cachorreñas. Traditional baked goods include hornazo, which is eaten on Easter Sunday. Extra virgin olive oil from the region is used in typical dishes and baked goods. The Ruta del Aceite ends with a tasting of oil from the Sierra de Villanueva del Duque.

Festivals

Along the Camino Mozárabe, pilgrims have access to the bicycle-friendly Casa del Peregrino as well as supermarkets, bars and restaurants, a sports centre and swimming pool, a bank with an ATM, medical services, a pharmacy and internet access. The Ruta del Condado de Belalcázar connects Villanueva del Duque, Belalcázar, Hinojosa del Duque and Fuente La Lancha through a shared historical connection. The Feria y Fiestas de la Virgen de Guía y San Jacinto takes place from 14 to 18 August. The festival in honour of the Santísima Virgen de Guía is celebrated on Easter Monday and includes a procession to the shrine, a fire, the dancing of the Jota serreña and circle games. The festival of Santa Lucía is celebrated on the 13th and includes candelorios, Jota dances, a procession, communal tastings and traditional pastries. The Fest de la Cruz is celebrated on the 3rd and includes vigils at four stone crosses with wine, aguardiente, roasted lupins and roasted chickpeas. The pilgrimage of the Fuente la Lancha festival to Villanueva del Duque takes place on foot, on horseback and by carriage, accompanied by singing and dancing.

More destinations

More destination pages: Pozoblanco, Adamuz, Fuente Obejuna, Pedro Abad, La Jara, Gaena-Casas Gallegas, La Celada, Cañete De Las Torres

To the main travel overview: Cordoba.