Holiday apartment in Peñaflor – History, Casas Cuevas and San Pedro

Beside the present-day town centre of Peñaflor stood Celti, the predecessor of the town. The settlement was inhabited from the 8th century BC to the 5th century AD. During the Flavian era, from AD 74 onwards, Celti was granted the status of a municipium civium Romanorum. Thus, Peñaflor’s history begins with a place whose chronological scope extends far beyond individual surviving buildings. The journey can also be specified: medium-distance trains between Jaén and Cádiz stop in Peñaflor.

History

Within the town’s historical fabric, the Casas Cuevas Archaeological Complex occupies a special place. The cultural facility, opened in 2011, is located in the Barrio de la Morería in the heart of Peñaflor, next to the remains of the Almohad castle and the parish church of San Pedro Apóstol. The complex forms part of Celti’s eastern Roman necropolis and was later used as living space in simple dwellings. In this way, Casas Cuevas brings together the Roman past and the later use of the caves as a living environment in one place.

The Cueva Robledo Blanco is also included in a proposed tour of the Casas Cuevas area and the historic centre of Peñaflor. The Castillo de Peñaflor was classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural on 25 June 1985 and entered in the General Catalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage.

Architectural heritage

The church of San Pedro Apóstol is one of the town’s defining buildings. It is a building protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural, dating from the transition between the Baroque and Neoclassical periods. Its construction began in 1780 and was completed in 1801. Inside are a 16th-century crucifix, a Neoclassical high altar and a historic organ installed in 1801. Several periods are therefore brought together in a single religious building: the older crucifix, the Neoclassical design and the organ from the year construction was completed.

Another historical connection leads to Villadiego. The medieval tower of Villadiego, from which the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Villadiego developed, dates from the late 13th or early 14th century. It was built in the Mudéjar style, has an octagonal floor plan and is crowned with battlements. The entrance courtyard of the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Villadiego also contains a collection of Roman archaeological pieces.

Routes and traditions

Religious tradition and the town festival come together at Peñaflor’s Romería. During it, the Virgin of Villadiego is accompanied from the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Villadiego to the church of San Pedro Apóstol. The Feria, regarded as Peñaflor’s main festival, then begins. The route between the two religious buildings and the subsequent start of the festivities form part of the same sequence.

The wedding house of Blas Infante in Peñaflor is also among the historic sites in the municipality. He married and lived in this house; its original architecture has been preserved. A hiking route in the area around the municipality of Peñaflor is described as an opportunity to discover the remains of the Minas de Peñaflor.

Everyday culinary life

Peñaflor’s local character also includes the traditional Andalusian breakfast. It is prepared with artisanally produced PanFlor bread, olive oil from the surrounding area and tomatoes from local gardens. A cultural route through Peñaflor also includes a visit to the Panflor artisan bakery, with a tasting of typical products. Bread, oil and tomatoes thus appear both as components of the breakfast and in connection with a stop on the cultural route.

More destinations

Castilblanco De Los Arroyos, Bollullos De La Mitación, La Puebla De Los Infantes, El Coronil, Cerro de Hierro, Bormujos, Arahal, La Lantejuela

To the overarching travel overview: Seville.