Orce: Archaeology, Thermal Spring and Andalusian Culture

Archaeological Layers of History in Orce

The Cuenca de Orce is listed in the General Catalogue of Andalusia’s Historical Heritage within the municipal area of Orce as an archaeological zone with the protection status Bien de Interés Cultural. The numerous sites in the Cuenca de Orce provide important insights into the context of the earliest expansion of hominins beyond Africa. This means that the perspective here extends far beyond individual structures and leads into a landscape whose history spans several periods.

A particularly vivid site is the prehistoric settlement of Cerro de la Virgen. It comprises a sequence ranging from the Copper Age through the Bronze Age to later Roman, Byzantine and medieval settlement phases. Four sections of wall, a Copper Age water channel and numerous domestic structures have been preserved at the site.

Heritage in the Cave House

The Centro de Interpretación Primeros Pobladores de Europa “José Gibert” offers a journey 1.5 million years back in time. It also explains what the climate, flora and exotic fauna in the Granada Geopark looked like. The interpretation centre is located in a cave house and focuses on the life and work of the German archaeologist Wilhem Schülle. The Centro de Interpretación Primeros Pobladores de Europa “José Gibert” offers guided tours for tourist and school groups.

Fuencaliente: Thermal Waters in the Río Orce Floodplain

Fuencaliente is also part of the townscape as a natural and recreational area. Fuencaliente is a thermal spring in the floodplain of the Río Orce; its water emerges all year round at a constant temperature of 21°C. The Fuencaliente thermal spring has been developed into a public swimming pool with gardens and a recreational area. It is open all year round, and admission is free. Alongside the archaeological themes, this provides a specific place for more tranquil observation of the landscape and the thermal waters.

Festivals with Regional Accents

The annual events calendar has its own highlights. Orce’s Mercado Medieval has taken place every year on the first Sunday in August since it was founded in 1999. The Feria Ecológica del Altiplano takes place every year in Orce and brings together farmers, livestock keepers, local producers, institutions and visitors. It includes a large market for organic products; the Feria Ecológica del Altiplano also offers tastings of traditional tomato varieties. The Festival Audiovisual Internacional Origen includes wine tastings. Culture, agriculture and regional products are thus showcased in a variety of event formats.

Further Historical Orientation

The Castillo de las 7 Torres is also one of the points of interest in Orce. To visit the Castillo de las 7 Torres during the rest of the year, contact the Oficina de Turismo.

Further places to read about: Orgiva, Tocón, Diezma, Benalúa De Las Villas, Benamaurel, Jete, Trevélez, Jerez Del Marquesado.

For the overarching travel overview: Granada.