Villanueva del Duque: Vía Verde, Culture and Starry Skies

The Vía Verde de la Minería runs for 17.4 km between the former El Soldado railway station in Villanueva del Duque and the municipal boundary between Villanueva del Duque and Bélmez.

Nature and Trails

The route passes through grazed holm oak groves and gentle hills; its western end lies in a mountainous landscape with more varied vegetation. Its surface consists of compacted earth and gravel.

The Ruta de las Trincheras del Viñón is designed as a circular route. It begins at Peñas Blancas Station, leads via El Calerín and the Trincheras del Viñón, and returns to the starting point along a parallel path. Along the way, it passes through grazed holm oak groves and a Sierra.

The southern landscape of Villanueva del Duque comprises extensive grazed holm oak groves. Higher-lying areas include the source of the Cuzna River and the Sierra del Viñón. The Sierra of Villanueva del Duque has pine forests and dense vegetation that provide shelter for wild boar and deer; common birds there include jackdaws and kestrels.

The natural viewpoint at the Ermita de San Gregorio offers views of Villanueva del Duque and large parts of the valley, from Pozoblanco to Hinojosa del Duque and from El Viso and the mountains of Santa Eufemia to the El Soldado mines and the mountains associated with the Valle del Guadiato.

Culture and History

The Ruta Villanueva Románica connects the Ermita Virgen de Guía with the Museo Tallas Románicas in the Iglesia San Mateo and is 1.3 km long. It includes six Romanesque carvings considered the oldest in Andalusia, as well as a museum dedicated to them.

The six Romanesque carvings were discovered in 1955 during construction work in a niche in the Ermita de la Virgen de Guía. They show clear influences of Basque-Navarrese iconography from the second half of the 13th century. The nave, tower and chancel of the Parroquia de San Mateo Apóstol had been fully built by 1551 at the latest.

The Ruta Cruces de Villanueva leads to an open-air museum, fountains, shafts and waterwheels, as well as other water-related architectural elements. At the Museo de la Antigua Molina, an old stone mill, a hydraulic press and settling basins illustrate traditional olive oil production methods.

The Ruta del Aceite ends with a tasting of oil from the Sierra de Villanueva del Duque.

Starry Skies and Activities

The Observatorio Astronómico de Villanueva del Duque enables the observation of stars, planets and the entire universe and serves both public outreach and research. It has a five-metre dome with space for groups of up to twelve people.

Next to the observatory is an astronomical viewpoint with two information panels about the night sky and a power supply for using your own telescopes. In the Dehesa Boyal recreational area, Villaduke Esaventura offers a course with suspension bridges, Ciclocart races, archery, blowpipe shooting and paintball.

The Camino and Festivals

On the Camino Mozárabe, pilgrims have access to the bicycle-friendly Casa del Peregrino, as well as supermarkets, bars and restaurants, a sports centre and swimming pool, a bank with an ATM, medical care, a pharmacy and internet access.

The pilgrimage procession for the festival from Fuente la Lancha to Villanueva del Duque takes place on foot, horseback and by carriage, accompanied by singing and dancing. The Feria y Fiestas de la Virgen de Guía y San Jacinto takes place from 14 to 18 August.

The festival in honour of the Santísima Virgen de Guía is celebrated on Easter Monday and includes a procession to the pilgrimage chapel, a bonfire, dancing the Jota serreña and circle games. The Santa Lucía festival is celebrated on the 13th and includes candelorios, Jota dances, a procession, communal tastings and traditional pastries. The Fiesta de la Cruz is celebrated on the 3rd and includes vigils at four stone crosses with wine, aguardiente, roasted lupins and roasted chickpeas.

Regional Connections

The Ruta del Condado de Belalcázar connects Villanueva del Duque, Belalcázar, Hinojosa del Duque and Fuente La Lancha through a shared historical connection.

Further destinations: Fuente Obejuna, Fernán-Núñez, Almedinilla, Rute, El Villar, Campo-Nubes, El Vacar and Añora.

To the main travel overview: Cordoba.