Discover Luque: Nature, History and Culture

At Luque Hisn Lukk Castle, the origins seem to date back to the late period of the Umayyad Emirate in the 9th century; it stands on the foundations of an ancient Roman fortress. The remains preserved today date mainly from the 13th century. The Ruta del Califato also passes through Luque.

Nature and Trails

Las Buitreras is a 17.5-kilometre hiking trail of moderate difficulty that begins in Luque beside the municipal swimming pool. The trail passes through cliffs where the largest colony of griffon vultures in the natural area breeds. The Parque Natural Sierras Subbéticas is characterised by limestone formations displaying typical karst features. The Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbéticas offers various hiking and mountain trails where visitors can explore the distinctive landscape as well as the diverse flora and fauna. The municipality of Luque includes the Laguna del Salobral, also known as Laguna del Conde.

Culture and History

The Museo Municipal Luque Tierra de Fronteras is open to the public. Beside the Vía Verde del Aceite stand the Búnkeres del Alamillo, with several casemates, a Reduit-type bunker, trenches and underground passageways. The Búnkeres del Alamillo visible today were built at the end of 1938 and the beginning of 1939. The Parroquia de Ntra. Sra. de Asunción stands beside Luque's old town wall and at the foot of Luque Hisn Lukk Castle; construction began in 1557 and continued until 1598.

The Cueva de la Encantada is a roughly 40-metre-deep rock fissure in the centre of Luque. The cave contains schematic paintings from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods; workshops on prehistoric painting and the production of marrow-bone lamps are also offered. The Ermita de San Bartolomé has a single-nave transept covered by a barrel vault. It contains a 17th-century estofado and polychrome statue of Saint Bartholomew.

Traditions and Olive Oil

In Luque's Semana Santa celebrations, some brotherhoods and religious statues date back to the 16th century. The tradition of Los Hermanos de la Aurora, revived in Luque in 1982, consists of a group of men walking through the town's streets at dawn on summer Sundays and singing traditional Aurora coplas.

The Centro de Interpretación del Aceite de Oliva de Luque is located at Luque railway station beside the Vía Verde and the town's olive groves. Guided olive oil tastings are offered there.

Visiting

Guided tours of Luque Hisn Lukk Castle can be arranged on any day and at any time for groups of ten or more. The same applies to guided tours of the Cueva de la Encantada. To visit the Parroquia de Ntra. de Asunción outside liturgical hours, groups of ten or more must arrange a guided tour. Bicycles can be rented at Luque railway station for tours along the Vía Verde.

Other Places

At the same level, you will also find Fernán-Núñez, Rute, Villanueva Del Rey, Bujalance, Montemayor, Gaena-Casas Gallegas, Baena and La Fuente Grande.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cordoba.