Priego de Córdoba: Old Town, Nature Park and Olive Oil

Priego de Córdoba begins with the Barrio de la Villa y Balcón del Adarve, which was declared a historic-artistic ensemble in 1972. Its medieval Muslim character is reflected in its winding, whitewashed and narrow streets. The town lies at the foot of the Sierras Subbéticas Nature Park and is a stop on the Ruta del Califato, a European Cultural Route through Andalusian areas from Córdoba to Granada.

Old Town and History

For the Barrio de la Villa y Balcón del Adarve, a walking tour from Plaza de Santa Ana via Calle Real, Placita de San Antonio and Calle Jazmines to the Adarve is recommended. El Castillo is an Arab fortress that was rebuilt in the 13th and 14th centuries and, by origin, primarily served military purposes. On the Vial del Castillo pedestrian path, visitors can walk between the fortress walls and those of the medieval town and identify medieval construction techniques.

The Museo Histórico Municipal is an archaeological museum founded in 1983. The area open to visitors is spread across four rooms and a colonnaded courtyard and presents, in chronological order, the period from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages. Exhibits include prehistoric metal tools from the 3rd to 2nd millennium BC, including bronze arrowheads and knives as well as a silver pendant. The museum also displays a model of the Lastra dolmen, considered the only known megalithic remnant in the south of the province of Córdoba.

The Casa Museo D. Niceto Alcalá-Zamora y Torres is located in the birthplace of the president of the Second Spanish Republic, a stately 19th-century house. The original room layout, garden and furnishings have been preserved; original objects, photographs, drawings and information panels have also been added.

Customs and Public Spaces

The Hermanos de la Aurora, a group of bell singers, walk through the streets of Priego every Saturday at midnight, singing locally composed coplas and calling people to pray the rosary. The oldest surviving record book of this group begins on 1 January 1696. The Domingos de Mayo originated more than three and a half centuries ago; their essential structure of solemn services, a sermon, music and a procession on Sunday afternoon has been preserved.

Nature and Hiking Trails

Pico Tiñosa is the highest point in the province of Córdoba. The Sendero Cruz de los Panaderos trail runs through the Sierra de Albayate and combines natural, archaeological and ethnographic interest with Mediterranean woodland flora and fauna. The Fuente del Rey is considered Priego’s most monumental fountain and has more than one hundred outlets.

San Miguel del Castellar is a 17.6-kilometre circular hike with a walking time of approximately four and a half hours, a medium to high difficulty level and a maximum elevation of 872 metres.

Olive Oil and Regional Routes

The Ruta Turismo y Aceite connects Almedinilla, Fuente Tójar and Priego de Córdoba under the protected designation of origin DOP Priego de Córdoba. As part of this route, it is possible to visit an olive oil mill and learn about the olive oil production process.

Other Places

Other places in the selection include Lagunillas Las, Zagrilla Alta and Castil De Campos.

To the main travel overview: Cordoba.

More Destinations

More places under the same destination:

La Guijarrosa, Almedinilla, El Cañuelo, Moriles, Fuente Tójar.