Montemayor

Castillo de Montemayor, Cordoba province © Michelle Chaplow
Castillo de Montemayor, Cordoba province

MONTEMAYOR

Montemayor is one of the vollages located on the tourist route; Ruta de los Castillos, (Route of the Castles) as there are two castles in the village; Castillo Ducla de Frías and Castillo de Dos Hermanas. It has about 3,900 inhabitants.

HISTORY

The origins of Montemayor date back to 2.0000 years BC, according to the remains of bell-shaped pottery and Iberian sculptures. During the Roman occupation the village was known as, Ulia and the, Bellum Hispaniensis of Aulus Hircio tells us that Ulia was the only city of Betica that remained faithful to Julius Caesar during the Civil War. More>

THINGS TO SEE

Castillo de Montemayor
Also known as, Castillo Ducal de Frías, the castle was built in the fourteenth century during the repopulation of the town. It is considered one of the best examples of military architecture in the province of Córdoba, formed by a triangular enclosure with three towers. It is privately owned and remains in very good condition under the protection of the generic Declaration of the Decree of April 22, 1949, and Law 16/1985 of the Spanish Historical Heritage. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1985. Located on Calle Duque de Frias.

Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
The church was built in 1515 with various materials from Roman remains that are especially noticeable in the columns. The altarpiece is the work of, Pedro Freila Guevara, made in 1633 but was badly damaged in the Spanish Civil War. In the eighteenth century, the Sagrario Chapel was built. Monument declared of Cultural Interest in 2003. Located on Calle Juan Pedro Carmona.

Emita de San Jesús
The chapel was built in 1766 and is where the, Brotherhood of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno is based. The interior holds El Nazareno, the current work of sculptor, Juan Martínez Cerillo, who produced it in 1937. Located on Calle Duque de Frias.

Ermita de San Sebastián
The chapel was built during the sixteenth century and are Headquarters to the Brotherhood of Christ of Youth, made up of 150 young members. Located on Calle San Sebastián.

Ermita de Vera Cruz
The Mudejar chapel was built during the second half of the eighteenth century and later reformed in 1940. Located in Plaza de la Veracruz.

Museo de Ulía
The Museum was created in 1971 by the Parish Priest, Don Pablo Moyano Llamas and consists of many donated objects such as coins, spear tips, rings, buckles, pendants, clay lamps, irons, stone axes and wheels of Roman mills. The best of the museum is the sculpture room, which has some beautiful pieces such as, La Dama de Montemayor, El León and a Satyr with its goat skin. Located on Calle Juan Pedro Carmona.

Opening Times:
Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00-13:30hrs
Friday, 17:30-20:30hrs
Saturday, 10:00-13:30hrs
Tel: 957 38 40 00

Centro de Interpretación Memorias Pedro Ximenez
The museum integrated into the local Wine Network aims to be an approach, from the ethnographic point of view, to the world of wine that starts from ancestral times. The exhibition space is conceived as a tribute to one of Montemayor’s most characteristic products, the Pedro Ximenez sweet raisin wine. Located on Carretera Córdoba-Málaga.

Opening Times:
Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, 10:00-14:00hrs
Saturday, 10:00-14:00hrs and 16:00-20:00hrs
Price 1,00 euro (with a tasting, 3,00 euro)
Tel: 957 38 45 82

THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE

Castillo de Dos Hermanas
An ancient Muslim fortress, named Soricaria, and was conquered around 1240 and handed over to, Captain Fernán Núñez de Témez. It stands on a small elevation next to the Arroyo Carchena, near the road that connects Montemayor with Espejo. Martín Alfonso de Córdoba used part of its materials for the construction of the Castle of Montemayor. It is currently in a state of ruin with a few remains of the walled perimeter and towers. Located about 7km from the town.

Ermita de San José
The chapel’s construction dates back to the last years of the eighteenth century, between 1696 and 1700 and underwent various reformations during the second half of the eighteenth century. Currently it serves as the Headquarters of the Brotherhood of San Isidro. Located down a track off Calle Cerrillo which leads to Fernán Núñez.

NATURAL AREAS

Cerro de La Alcoba
A natural hill where an Iberian Necropolis once stood. Many specimens from this era can be seen in the Museo de Ulía. Some human remains were also found. In the past, this hill was used as a quarry to extract material for road construction. Nowadays, the Cerro de la Alcoba has been reforested making it a pleasant natural setting with geological and scenic value. Sports such as hiking, motocross, cycling, athletics and greyhound racing are also practised here.

Manchón de los Navarros
The Manchón de los Navarros is classified a Natural Monument of Biotic Character. It is a space whose biodiverse characteristics, such as centenarian trees, and bird colonies.

COUNTRYSIDE WALKS

Montemayor has some wonderful surroundings ideal for exploring on foot or even on bicycle. The Ruta de las Fuentes entre Montemayor y Fernán Núñez is a route that explores the many local water sources and fountains. The routes is a linear 7.5km so you will have to retrace your steps to return to the car.

HANDICRAFTS

As in many towns and village across Andalusia, what were once traditional and popular crafts have become more difficult to come across as only the older generations keep them going. Today the only craft remaining in Montemayor is pottery, with some ceramists producing a small selection of goods for personal use and to sell.

GASTRONOMY

Montemayor’s gastronomy is very traditional, collecting the most relevant products of the area, such as wine and virgin olive oil. Try dishes such as gallina en pepitoria (stewed chicken), cocido andaluz (Andalusian meat stew), habas con berenjenas y morcilla (broad beans with aubergine and black pudding) and arroz con bacalao (rice with cod). Sweet treats include flores, pestiños and gañotes (sweet honey pastries) and a true favourite of children, panetes (dumplings in syrup). The local vineyards are part of the Montilla-Moriles appellation of origin producing excellent wines such as the, Pedro Ximenez (PX) , a sweet wine made from raisins, through a traditional drying process unique in the area.

FESTIVALS

Popular festivals in Monemayor are Three Kings procession, La Candelaria, Carnaval, Holy Week, Romería de San Isidro, Feria de San Acacio, Fiestas de Jesús Transfigurado More>

NEXT PLACES

The next villages to Montemayor are Montilla, Fernán Nuñez, La Rambla and Espejo.

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