Discover Encinas Reales: Culture, Nature and Trails

Culture

The Ermita de Jesús de las Penas in Encinas Reales is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. It is an example of 18th-century Baroque architecture, with polychrome stucco work on the spandrels, transverse arches and the dome above the crossing.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Expectación is a Neoclassical church with a Latin cross floor plan and three naves. It was built from 1801 to 1814 at the request of the Dukes of Medinaceli, according to plans by the architect Andrés Cordón.

In Vadofresno, the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Belén dates from the 18th century. The Duke of Medinaceli had it built in 1705; it was blessed on 12 December 1705.

Nature and Landscape

The municipality of Encinas Reales, characterised by olive groves, is crossed by the Río Genil and the Río Anzur. The Río Anzur is a tributary of the Río Genil.

The natural surroundings include olive groves, holm oaks, tamarisks and ash trees. Other plants include roses, oleanders, poplars and blackberry bushes; wildlife includes nightingales, lesser kestrels and turtle doves.

The Ruta senderista Encinas Reales - Anzur is located in the Sierra Subbética. Its landscape is characterised by highly varied and abrupt terrain with pronounced elevations, narrow valleys, and sloping, rocky areas.

Vadofresno offers travellers views of the Río Genil in the immediate vicinity of the Iznájar Reservoir. The Ruta del Agua includes Encinas Reales and the Río Genil near the village of Vadofresno.

The combination of waterways, olive groves, vegetated banks and rocky terrain creates different options for nature observation and route planning.

Hiking and Pilgrimage Routes

The Ruta senderista Encinas Reales - Anzur hiking route starts and ends at the Ermita del Calvario in Encinas Reales. It follows paths parallel to the Río Anzur and the Arroyo Hondo.

The Camino Mozárabe leads to Encinas Reales from the direction of Málaga and partly follows the Vía Verde del Aceite. The Encinas Reales–Lucena stage is 20.4 kilometres long.

This stage begins at the town hall on the Málaga–Córdoba road. Via Calle Camino Viejo de Lucena, you reach the first yellow trail markers; after crossing the motorway through an underpass, the Camino Mozárabe reaches the Río Anzur.

The different types of paths, the exact stage length and the varied terrain make the routes in Encinas Reales easy to compare if you would like to combine active days with cultural sightseeing.

Festivals and Traditions

Semana Santa in Encinas Reales is a traditional religious festival organised by five brotherhoods. The processions begin on Maundy Thursday evening; during the week, there are religious, brotherhood and cultural events.

On the last Saturday in August, La Noche Encandilada takes place as a cultural and tourism event. During the event, candles, oil lamps and torches replace electric lighting.

On the last weekend of September, Encinas Reales celebrates the Feria and the patron-saint festivities in honour of Nuestro Padre Jesús de las Penas, with religious, social and cultural events.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Encinas Reales, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages.

Other Places

Baena, Gaena-Casas Gallegas, La Paz, El Hoyo, Pedro Abad, Dos Torres, Villa Del Río, Santa María De Trassierra

For the main travel overview: Cordoba.