Discover Belalcázar: Castle, Pilgrimages and Dehesas

Belalcázar makes history visible in tangible places: the Torre del Homenaje of the Castillo de los Sotomayor-Zúñiga is 47 metres high, while the ruins of the Antiguo Convento de San Francisco de los Santos Mártires de Marruecos preserve recognisable architectural remains from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Culture and history

The Antiguo Convento de San Francisco de los Santos Mártires de Marruecos is listed as Bien de Catalogación General in the General Catalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage. The Convento de Santa Clara de la Columna was built in the second half of the 15th century and features Mudéjar coffered ceilings. By prior reservation, it offers guided tours lasting 1.5 hours.

The Parroquia de Santiago el Mayor was built from local granite and originally consisted of a broad nave with attached pillars and side chapels. The first parish church of Gahete was built on 31 March 1272 in honour of Saint James. Directly beside the parish church is Parque Sebastián de Belalcázar, on the site of a former medieval cemetery; the statue of Sebastián de Belalcázar there was inaugurated in 1976.

The Fuente del Pilar was built in 1570 during the reign of Philip II. It served passers-by as a source of drinking water and as a meeting and resting place along the route. The Pósito Municipal originally served as Belalcázar’s municipal grain store in the 15th century; its brick vaults are supported by granite columns. Today, the Pósito Municipal is used for cultural events.

Near the town, on the road to Castuera, lies the Puente romano de Belalcázar, with distinctive Roman side pillars crossed by a Roman road. The bridge was rebuilt several times and today has a medieval appearance. The Casa de los García de la Barga y Gómez de la Serna, known as Casa Grande, was built in the last decade of the 18th century and is now in ruins; its main façade was restored in 2005 and the families’ coats of arms were reinstated.

On the hill of the Ermita de Ntra. Sra. de Gracia de Alcantarilla are remains indicating Iberian, Roman and Arab settlement, including a section of an Arab wall. The nearby Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Alcantarilla has a rectangular floor plan and three Romanesque naves dating from the 11th to 12th centuries.

The Castillo de los Sotomayor-Zúñiga is a protected BIC monument and was classified as Bien de Interés Cultural in 2009. For the Castillo de Belalcázar, free guided tours are scheduled from 16 March to 27 December 2026 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; prior reservation is required. The historic path from the Fuente del Pilar to the castle was laid out in the 15th century and later adapted to provide more convenient access.

Routes and pilgrimages

As part of its Belalcázar programme, the Ruta del Condado de Belalcázar includes the Castillo de Los Sotomayor y Zuñiga. On the Ruta de los Escudos, the history of Belalcázar’s inhabitants over past centuries can be explored through heraldic elements, and their artistic value appreciated. The Ruta Monte Malagón offers a hike with panoramic views of the surrounding area, as well as opportunities to observe the local flora and fauna.

The Romería de San Antón takes place at the end of January and includes outdoor activities, traditional food and the customary blessing of the animals. The Romería de la Virgen de la Consolación takes place on 8 September and includes a procession from Belalcázar to the chapel, as well as religious and festive activities. The pilgrimage of the town’s patron saint, held annually on the last weekend of April, leads to the nearby Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Alcantarilla.

Other town pages

Other town pages lead to La Jara, La Guijarrosa, Campo-Nubes, Añora, Pozoblanco, El Viso, Almodóvar Del Río and Fuente Palmera.

Nature and orientation

The area around Belalcázar contains extensive dehesas associated with agro-pastoral livestock farming. The Ruta de las Fuentes y los Pozos de Belalcázar is equipped with more than 40 signposts, as well as signs and explanatory panels at important points along the route.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cordoba.