Priego de Cordoba - Priego de Córdoba

Priego de Cordoba is a city in the Andalusian province Cordoba.

background

Priego der Córdoba is located in the southeast of the province of Córdoba. The city is embedded in olive groves. It is located on the edge of the Sierra Subbéticas Natural Park. The Ruta del Califato, European educational route from Cordoba to Granada runs through Priego. Priego de Córdoba was settled in prehistoric times. Iberians and Romans left their mark. The Moors named the city Baguh. In the 13th century Ferdinand III conquered. but they are not final. That was only done by Alfonso XI for a century. The first Marquis of Priego was a descendant of Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba. The textile industry played a major role in the 18th century. It made Priego wealthy, so that enough money was available to build the beautiful baroque buildings. Priego's old town is located on a hill. This is where the Moors built the Castillo and it came into being Barrio de la Villa (old part of town) with cobbled streets and quiet squares. The facades of the houses are whitewashed and decorated with flowers. The streets are narrow. On one side the terrain slopes steeply and allows a view of the country, on the other the castillo and walls protected against attacks.

getting there

By plane

The two closest airports are Cordoba and Granada.

By train

In the street

• From Córdoba you can reach Priego via the A-45 southwards and at exit no. 12 via the A-340 towards Cabra. An alternative is via the N-432 towards Baena and before Alcaudete via the A-333 to Priego.
• From Jaén you drive on the A-316 to the confluence with the N-432 and another 3 km to the junction for Priego de Córdoba.
• From Granada you drive north-west on the N-432 and then on the A-333 to Priego.

By bus

You can take the bus from Baena, Seville and Córdoba to Priego de Córdoba.

mobility

Priego de Córdoba is a small city. Everything can be done on foot.

Tourist Attractions

The tour through the baroque city of Priego can be started at the parish church Mayor de la Asunción. It is in the Mudejar Gothic style on the outside but baroque on the inside. The sacrament chapel from the 18th century is particularly worth seeing. The aurora church was designed by Juan de Dios Santaella. It replaced a church from the 15th century. The San Francisco and San Pedro churches were also built in the 15th century. They were later redesigned and embellished. The former slaughterhouse (Carnicerías Reales), the birthplace of the first President of the Second Republic Niceto Alcalá Zamora and the Fuente del Rey fountain are well worth seeing.

• Capilla del Sagrario de la Inglesia de la Asunción (Chapel of the Sanctuary of the Church of the Assumption) is an important baroque structure. You can find them inside the church. Francisco Javier Pedrajas built it from 1772-1784. The floor plan is octagonal. The fan vault and the gallery are decorated with stucco in the Rococo style. The sculptor Manuel Garnelo designed the tabernacle in 1921. The chapel has been a listed building since 1932. Opening times: Mon-Tue and Thu-Sat. 19: 15-20: 00 and Sun. 11: 15-12: 00. Free entry.

• Castillo de Priego of Cordoba (Castle of Priego de Córdoba) This Moorish fortress was rebuilt in the 13th and 14th centuries. It is protected by a ring of walls with several towers. The castle is accessed through a pointed, decoratively framed horseshoe arch. The keep in the Waffenhof has been a listed building since 1943. It has three floors with barrel vaults. It was built in the 13th century when Priego belonged to the Calatrava order. Opening times: Tue.-Sa. 11.30-13.30 and 16.00-18.00. Sun 11.30am-1.30pm. Closed on Mondays. Free entry.

• Fuente of the Rey is a large fountain on Calle Rio from the 16th-19th centuries. Century, which was placed under monument protection. Remigio del Mármol designed it in the baroque style. Its three basins have an elongated shape and are of different heights, so that the water can pour through 139 gargoyles from the top into the two lower ones. Neptune and Amphitrite are the two central sculptures that ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

• Barrio de la Villa de Priego de Córdoba is an old district from the Middle Ages. In its narrow streets there are whitewashed houses adorned with flowers. A cultural and historical monument since 1972.

• Carnicerías Reales (Royal Slaughterhouse) on Calle San Luis. The slaughterhouse and market were located here in the 16th century. The architect was Francisco del Castillo. There is a triangular frontispiece on the columns of the Mannerist style portal. The building is square and has a courtyard with arched galleries on stone pillars and corner towers. Note the spiral staircase. Opening times: Tue.-Sa. 11.30-13.30 and 16.00-18.00. Sun 11.30am-1.30pm. Closed: Mon. Admission free.

activities

• Semana Santa. The religious ones Hermandades (Brotherhoods) have an old tradition in Priego. Some have existed since the 15th century. Their main task is to carry out processions in the Semana Santa (Holy Week). They carry the heavy ones Pasos. These are platforms with a statue of Mary or scenes of the Cross with a statue of Jesus. You will be from Costaleros (Bearers of the brotherhoods) carried on shoulders.

shop

kitchen

Olive oil with the designation of origin DO. Priego de Cordoba is indispensable for the local kitchen. Pavo con Almendras (Turkey with almonds), Potaje (Stew), Chivo al Ajo Arriero (Kid with garlic), Salmorejo (cold soup), Lomo de Cerdo (Pork loin) and Morcilla de Seso (Blood sausage) are local dishes. Cuajado de Almendra (Almond groats), Piñonates (Baked goods made from pine nuts) and Carne de Membrillo (Quince dessert) are noteworthy desserts.

nightlife

accommodation

Cheap

• Hostal Rafi near the main square, Tel 957 547 027, This is a good value accommodation near the main square on Calle Isabel de Catholica 4. The restaurant is one of the good restaurants.

medium

• Villa Turistica *** in Aldea de Zagrilla costs about 64 € (2008). It is a bit out of the way about 6 km from the center.

Upscale

• Huerta de las Palomas **** on the Priego-Zagrilla road, km 3. B. can be booked for a two-week vacation via DER TOUR (approx. € 1000 including breakfast).

security

health

Practical advice

trips

literature

Web links

• http://www.priegodecordoba.es/ - Official website of Priego de Córdoba