What to see in Almodovar del Rio

Answer the question What to see in Almodovar del Rio It means talking about a wonderful natural environment and great monuments. Not in vain, archaeological remains found in the area show that it was inhabited since the Prehistory.

Almodóvar is in full swing Guadalquivir valley, about twenty kilometers from the city of Córdoba, to whose province it belongs. In fact, it houses a interpretation Center of the natural wonders of that valley. On the other hand, it also tells us about its rich history the castle from the Andalusian period which dominates it from above. Below, we are going to show you what to see in Almodóvar del Río both from the monumental point of view and from its nature.

A privileged nature

Located 121 meters above sea level, Almodóvar has the Cordoba countryside on one side and Sierra Morena to the other. But, above all, a good part of its municipal area is integrated into the Sierra de Hornachuelos Natural Park.

It is a very well preserved space with peaks that reach five hundred meters in height. However, the greatest value is the rich biological diversity that houses. As for flora, there is an abundance of Mediterranean forest, mainly holm oaks and cork oaks. There are also other plant species such as hawthorns, ivy, oleanders and, among the aquatic plants, buttercups and duckweed.

Regarding fauna, there are large populations of wild boars and deer. But there are also rabbits, hares, foxes, otters and even wolves and lynxes. Its skies are also crossed by Golden and Imperial Eagles o griffon and black vultures.

The park is also bathed by rivers such as the Guadalora. Precisely, its banks offer you a beautiful path through which you can discover the wonders of the park. But it has many other wonders hiking trails. Among them, we recommend the circular that comes from the Huerta del Rey Recreation Area, where you have an interpretation centre, to return to it. However, if you prefer a shorter route, you can take the one that goes to the sanctuary of the Virgin of the Angels, about ten kilometers.

On the other hand, at one end of the park you have the La Breña II reservoir And this brings us to talk about another of the activities that the nature of Almodóvar offers you. It is located just three kilometers from the town and has atificial Beach which even had the Blue Flag rating. It has all the services, from lifeguards to showers, umbrellas and even a beach bar. But you can also enjoy other activities in the reservoir. nautical sportsas well as a fishery of species such as carp or pike.

In this sense, on the banks of the reservoir is the Nature Activities Center. It organizes birdwatching, school trips, climbing, canoeing, bicycle rentals and even operates a tourist boat which travels through the waters of the reservoir and, being powered by solar energy, respects the ecosystem.

Monuments to see in Almodóvar del Río

As we were saying, Almodóvar has been inhabited since time immemorial. The Romans established a river port in the village and the Muslims built strength that we see today on an ancient castle. In fact, in 1226, the Muslim king of Baeza was beheaded in the town, accused of treason against the Almohads for making a pact with Ferdinand III the Saint, monarch of Castile.

A few years later, it was incorporated into the Castilian crown after five centuries of Arab domination. Its strategic location and impregnable character made it chosen as a place of residence by the kings Peter I y Henry II during his stays in the Cordoba countryside. All of this leaves behind monuments to see in Almodóvar del Río. Let's get to know them.

The castle of La Floresta, the first thing to see in Almodóvar del Río

El Almodóvar castle, which we have already briefly discussed, was built around the year 740. However, its current characteristics are the result of various extensions carried out in the XNUMXth, XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. It was also restored in the XNUMXth century under the direction of the architect Adolfo Fernandez Casanova.

The fortress has been key in different historical periods. For example, it was used as a base of operations for the conquest of Granada. Currently, it has the category of Property of Tourist Interest We recommend you visit it, because it is a magnificent experience. Each of its rooms is dedicated to a specific theme and even dramatized tours, medieval banquets and knights' jousts are held there.

Such is its magnificence and state of preservation that it has served as a setting for the filming of films and television series. One of these has recently been the successful Game of Thrones.

Natera House and other stately buildings

Another of the monuments to see in Almodóvar del Río is the Natera's house, built in 1777 for the family that gives it its name. The building is distributed around a central courtyard. But one of its most outstanding elements is the baroque doorway with a lintelled arch and flanked by superimposed pilasters in relief. It is also topped by a convex corbel or bracket that follows the line of the balcony.

Today, the Natera house is the headquarters of the Popular Ateleum, founded in 1925. It is an institution created to promote science and culture in the town free of charge. Illustrious figures such as, for example, the poet Ricardo Molina, who was an honorary member.

You will find this house in the Plaza de la Constitución. But there are other stately buildings in the town, even in the modernist style. On the other hand, the old Town Hall It is also Baroque and was built in 1752. In 1873, a clock was placed on top. Today, you can see the dial, but its mechanism was removed and stored in the Ethnological collection of Angel Estevez, which houses pieces from the 18th to the 20th century. The municipal library has been installed in the former Town Hall.

Old pier

Also called Roman Portus, is, logically, the oldest monument that you can see in the Cordoba town. It is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River as it passes through Almodóvar. In fact, in nearby farmhouses such as those of Temple o Villaseca Remains of rural houses from the Roman period and pottery kilns have been found.

The river port was probably used to transport parts manufactured there. But it continued to be used until the construction of the CO-3313 road as a boarding area to cross the river. Today, it is a magnificent place to observe the flora and fauna of the area, as well as to get excellent panoramic photographs of the Almodóvar castle.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception and other temples

Also called of Saint Mary the White, was built in the 1627th century, although the current building dates back to XNUMX. It responds to the canons of the Baroque and has a single nave with a flat head and a choir at the foot. The two doorways and the barrel vault with lunettes stand out in the complex. Also, inside, you should look at the images of San Jose and Nuestra Señora del Rosario that survived the fire that devastated the temple in 1991. Precisely after it, the carvings of Jesús Nazareno, a work in wood by Miguel Ángel González Jurado, and the Christ of the True Cross created by Miguel Arjona.

For its part, the Chapel of the Hospital of Charity It is the only thing that remains of that building. It dates back to the 16th century, as documents indicate that it was blessed by the bishop Christopher Fernandez Barrionuevo in 1521. However, it was rebuilt at the end of that century. The floats that parade through the town during Holy Week start from this chapel.

Finally, the Hermitage of the Rosary and San Sebastian It was located outside the walls of the town. The date of its construction is unknown, but it has been dated to the last third of the 14th century. In fact, it was the parish church until the 17th century. Within its simplicity, the baroque lintelled doorwayAbove it, you can also see a pediment split by a niche decorated with volutes. A bell gable tops off the ensemble.

For a long time it was desacralized and used for various purposes. For example, it was a school, a prison and even a grain warehouse. But, at present, it has been given a sacred character again under the patronage of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, patron of the town.

Other places to see in Almodóvar del Río

Despite its small size, Almodóvar offers you several museum spaces. We have already mentioned to you the Ethnographic collection of Angel Estevez. But it is also curious that Collection of sewing machines and bullfighting posters which houses about two hundred of the former and around five hundred of the latter.

No less peculiar is the Manuel Cañete's taxidermy exhibition, one of the most outstanding in this discipline at a national level. But more value has the Municipal Archaeological Exhibition, which is displayed in the old market square. It features pieces found in the surrounding sites that range from the Paleolithic to the Muslim era, passing through the Iberian, Roman and Visigoth cultures.

In conclusion, we have shown you What to see in Almodovar del RioAs you can see, this town of the province of Córdoba It has many attractions, both monumental and natural. Go ahead and visit it.