Pedro Abad – Churches, Roman Remains and River Landscapes

The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Pedro Abad originated in the first quarter of the 14th century and preserves its original layout with three naves.

Culture and History

Its façade features a 16th-century portal with a round arch and pilasters with coffered decoration. The decoration combines Gothic and Renaissance motifs.

The Iglesia de Santa Rafaela María was built in 1950 as a historicist, single-nave church with vaulted ceilings; its design features include polychrome marble. Beneath the altar is a crypt where relatives of Santa Rafaela María are buried.

The Convento de las Esclavas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús is the birthplace of Santa Rafaela María. An oratory is located in the room where she was born; the convent also houses the Santa Rafaela María Museum.

The Pósito Municipal dates from 1785 and was built from locally sourced Molinaza stone. Today, it houses the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo.

The Mezquita Basharat has a library containing numerous Islamic texts in various languages and dialects. At the same time, it is considered the first mosque built in Spain after almost eight centuries.

The ancient Roman city of Sacili Martialis/Martialium lies on the Alcurrucén estate in Pedro Abad. It has yielded a renowned collection of marble sculptures; most apparently belonged to a group of statues dedicated to the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

Trails and the River Area

The Ruta Calzadas Romanas is a 10-kilometre linear route of moderate difficulty that can be covered on foot or by bicycle. It leads to Cerro de Alcurrucén, where numerous remains of the vanished Roman city of Sacili Martialium have been found.

The Embarcadero Recreativo y Centro Acuático de Pedro Abad can be reached from the A-4 via Exit 367 towards Seville or Exit 370 towards Madrid. The Camino de Alcurrucén then follows the CO-410 for approximately 5 kilometres to the destination.

The conditions at the Embarcadero are suitable for canoeing, rowing, paddleboarding, cycling, hiking and birdwatching. The river area lies within the Natura 2000 site of special conservation importance for the middle Guadalquivir and provides a habitat for numerous birds and mammals.

Nearby is the Presa El Salto, a Neo-Moorish complex consisting of a dam and power station. It is designated as a BIC monument in the municipality of El Carpio and lies on the Pedro Abad–Adamuz road.

Festivals and Traditions

El Prendimiento is a procession held on Maundy Thursday in Pedro Abad. Its tradition dates back to the 17th century and is based on an older religious mystery play drawn from texts in the Gospels.

The Fiesta de Santa Rafaela María takes place every year on 18 May and includes a three-day street festival on Calle Madre Filomena.

La Quema de los Judas is celebrated on the evening of Holy Saturday in Pedro Abad. During the celebration, grotesque Judas effigies hung in the streets are burned to the sound of drums, amid jeers and a lively neighbourhood atmosphere.

During the festivities in honour of Santiago el Menor, the traditional “chorchos”—lupins or salty snacks—are distributed. At 10 a.m. on 1 May, the Romería de Santiago el Menor begins at the Parroquia de la Asunción on Plaza de Andalucía and takes Santiago to his new hermitage on Cerro de las Graveras.

The brotherhood in Pedro Abad has more than 200 members and continues its activities during the religious celebrations of the Purificación de Ntra. Sra. (Candelaria) and Corpus Christi.

The two Roman bronzes Efebos Apolíneo and Dionisíaco were found in the surroundings of Pedro Abad. They are considered an exceptional discovery and were intended to be permanently kept at the Museo Arqueológico de Córdoba; a public exhibition was planned for autumn 2024.

Further Places

Huertas Bajas de Cabra, La Guijarrosa, Cabra, El Tarajal, Doña Mencía, Belalcázar, Villaharta, Moriles

To the main travel overview: Cordoba.