Zambra: Castle, Spring and Hiking Trails

Culture and History

Zambra is located in Andalusia. The Castillo de Zambra is classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest and is listed in the General Catalogue of Andalusian Heritage.

Two towers and a vaulted room of the Arab Castillo de Zambra have survived on a nearby mountain. Zambra is considered a defined archaeological site.

This archaeological site includes settlements from the Iron Age as well as Roman and Arab towns. The earliest surviving references to the place of Zambra date from Roman times; at that time, the place was called Cisimbrium.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Gracia is located at Plaza de Ntra. S.ª de Gracia in Zambra. The patron saint's festivities of the Iglesia de Ntra. Sra. de Gracia take place in October.

On the first weekend of October, the celebrations in honour of Our Lady of Gracia include the well-known release of the Vaquilla, as well as other social, sporting and community events.

Settlement and Nature

Zambra is divided into two separate settlement centres called El Barrio and El Prado. El Barrio is the higher area on the mountainside, while El Prado is the lower area on the Anzur.

The hamlet of Nacimiento de Zambra lies within the area of Zambra. The Anzur River rises at this location.

There is a spring open to visitors in the Nacimiento de Zambra area; the surroundings offer numerous hiking and mountain biking routes.

Near the spring of Zambra, the Anzur flows between poplars, willows and elms.

Hiking Trails

The second stage of the GR-355 Ruta Subbeticana begins in Zambra beside the junction of Calle Ubada and the A-331.

The stage then crosses the bridge over the Anzur and continues along the Camino de Astorga.

In the area of the Cortijo and the Vichira Spring, the second stage joins the international GR-7 E4 hiking trail.

Festivals and Traditions

The celebrations in honour of the Virgen del Carmen take place in August. During the Christmas evenings, the Aguilanderos perform traditional songs in Zambra.

The tradition of the Mochileros and Aguilanderos in the three hamlets belonging to Rute includes Christmas, liturgical, supplicatory and secular songs.

These songs are passed down orally. The groups accompany them with simple instruments, some of which are handmade by their members.

Cuisine

The sausages typical of the area include chorizo with traditional seasonings, onion blood sausage, and white blood sausage or brain blood sausage.

Anyone looking for a holiday apartment for a stay in Zambra can treat accommodation planning as part of their trip preparation and determine the length of their stay according to their personal preferences; the choice remains open and does not have to be tied to a fixed type of stay or a specific itinerary.

Other Places

You can find more places here: Fernán-Núñez, Alcolea, Añora, Fuente del Conde, Silillos, Castro Del Río, Gaena-Casas Gallegas, La Celada.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Cordoba.