Montilla

MONTILLA

Montilla is world-famous for its wine and endless fields of grape-vines punctuate a landscape of gentle rolling hills. It is best known for its dry white wine which is made using the same solera method as sherry. The very sweet Pedro Ximenez grapes are used so consequently, it does not need fortifying. This wine is known as Montilla in Spain and Amontillado elsewhere. See below for details on visiting the wineries (bodegas). For More information about Montillo-Morales wine. Montilla has about 23, 000 inhabitants.

HISTORY

Montilla dates back to Roman times suggesting there was a Hispano-Roman nucleus here. From the Moorish era comes the name of Montiya, the area was known as, Mondelia and was sparsely populated. In the eighteenth century, Montilla became an increasingly important religious and cultural centre with the construction of various impressive palaces, convents and churches. More>

THINGS TO SEE

Castillo
The Castle was destroyed in 1508 by order of, King Fernando II as punishment for the rebellion of, Don Pedro Fernández de Córdoba, first Marquis of Priego. The original fortress consisted of a wall flanked by towers encompassing a huge area. Within this there was a palace with magnificent halls and a courtyard large enough to hold 400 horses.

Despite the pardon of Queen Juana I (Joana the mad) two years later, authorizing the reconstruction of the Castle, it did not happen. Later, in the eighteenth century, in the time of Don Nicolás Fernández de Córdoba, Duke of Medinaceli and Marquis of Priego a large granary was built on the site. The Castle was acquired in 1998 by the town and in 2007 work began on adapting the building to become the Wine Museum of Andalucia, which was opened in 2015. Located on Calle Iglesia.

Opening Times:
Monday-Thursday, 09:00-14:00hrs
Friday, 09:00-14:00hrs and 16:30-18:30hrs
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays, 10:00-13:00hrs and 16:30-18:30hrs
Tel: 957 65 23 54

Convento de Santa Clara
The Convent dates back to 1512, founded by the first Marquis of Priego, Don Pedro Fernández de Córdo-ba. It became de the Convent in 1525, created by María Jesús de Luna, the Marquis’ daughter after granting him the rights of his sister Catalina Fernández de Córdoba, as heir of the mayorazgo. The Convent façade is a combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Mudejar architectural styles and was declared a National Historic Monu-ment. In front of the church there is a small garden where, through a revolving hatch, you can still buy the traditional biscuits made by the nuns without actually seeing them face-to-face. Located on Calle Santa Clara.

Iglesia de Santiago
The largest church was built at the beginning of the sixteenth century. There is an interesting Baroque door at the entrance and an imposing tower which dates back to 1789. Today, the church houses sculptures by San Francisco Solano and San Pedro de Alcantara by Pedro de Mena. Located on Calle Iglesia.

Palacio Duques de Medinaceli
Residence of the Marquis of Priego after the destruction of the Castle in 1503 by order of King Fernando II, highlighting the figure of Catalina Fernández de Córdoba, a woman of great relevance in the history of Montilla, a great patron of the arts. The Palace is simple, which underwent an expansion phase during the sixteenth century, and was subsequently restored and today. Located in Plaza Llano de Palacio.

La Tercia
The Alvear family in Montilla, stand out for the construction of many buildings including this one. Built on the site that occupied the family cellars as well as the barn, the VII Conde de la Cortina, Francisco de Alvear y Gómez, construced housing. Its structure is similar to that of the Palacio de Monterrey in Salamanca. In the lower level there are cafes and bars. Located on Calle José de los Ángeles.

Casa Don Diego Alvear
An eighteenth century manor house commissioned by Don Diego de Alvear y Ponce de León, later donated by his grandson, the VI Conde de la Cortina, Don Francisco Alvear y Gómez. A highlight is the main courtyard. Located on Calle Don Diego Alvear.

Casa San Juan de Ávila
The home of Saint Juan de Ávila where he died in 1569. On his arrival in Montilla, he was summoned by the Marquises of Priego, but he live in the Palacio Duques de Medinaceli with the Marquises, choosing instead this small house just outside the Palace. Today we find the house just as it was in the sixteenth century. This is an important place to understand his written work, with which he was appointed Doctor of the Church. Located on Calle San Juan de Dios.

Arco de San Lorenzo
The entrance archway is the only element that remains of the old Franciscan Convent of San Lorenzo. Its construction was founded by the feminine Order that was installed in the Convent of Santa Clara. It was an essential place not only for the Order of San Francisco, but for the Solanistas until 1794. After this they had to abandon it due to poor conservation. Located on Calle Batalla de Garellano.

Casa del Inca Garcilaso
This mansion was constructed out of distinctive Ashlar stone with a coat of arms over the door. The Peruvian writer, Garcilaso de la Vega lived here from 1561 to 1591. He was born in Cuzco in 1539 to a Spanish nobleman and Inca princess and wrote extensively about the origins of the Incas. The courtyard and rooms reflect an important historical period and the building now houses the Biblioteca Americanista. Located on Calle Capitán Alonso de Vargas.

Museo Histórico Municipal
This fascinating museum located in the Casa de la Cultura includes many objects dating from Palaeolithic to modern times. Located on Calle Rita Pérez.

Opening Times:
Tuesday-Sundays, 12:15-14:00hrs
Tel: 957 65 59 81

Museo Garnelo
In the interior of what used to be a nineteenth century manor house, the first drinking water tanks of the municipality were located, hence the name Casa de las Aguas (House of Waters). Since 2004, it houses two institutions; the Garnelo Museum and the bibliographic collection of the Manuel Ruiz Luque Library Foundation. A large pictorial collection of José Garnelo y Alda is also exhibited. José Garnelo y Alda soon managed to stand out at the Real Academy of Fine Arts, becoming a professor, one of his students was Pablo Picasso, who would go on to create ‘First communion’ in Garnelo’s studio. He even became Deputy Director of the Museo Nacional del Prado. Located in Plaza de Ángel Sisternes.

Opening Times:
Tuesday-Friday, 09:30-14:00hrs and 17:30-19:30hrs
Weekends and Holidays, 11:00-14:00hrs
Saturday, 17:30-19:30hrs
Tel: 957 65 70 39

WINERIES and WINE CELLARS

There are extensive wineries and wine cellars in the town. The Montilla wine is first fermented in stainless steel vats then matured further in upright tinajas or earthenware vessels, before being placed in traditional wooden barrels.

Bodegas Alvear (tel: 957 650 100) and Bodegas Perez Barquero (tel: 957 650 500), visitors are welcome on weekdays by prior appointment.

ROUTES

Montilla is included on various tourist routes such as the Ruta Monumental, Ruta Americanista, Ruta de las Fuentes Históricas, Ruta del Califato and Ruta de los Murales.

SPORTS

Montilla has facilities to host different athletics championships, and has several federations and clubs that compete nationally and internationally.

January – Cross Batalla de Munda
February – Duatlon Ciudad de Montilla
May – Carrera Maria Auxiliadora
July – Milla del Santo
August – Marcha de Luna Llena
September - Barruning

FESTIVALS

Popular festivals in Montilla are Three Kings, Día de la Candelaría, San Blas, Carnaval, Holy Week, May Crosses,, Romería de la Virgen de Las Viñas, Feria de San Francisco Solano, Fiesta de Vendimia. More>

Bus Services

Information about bus services to and from Montilla. More>

NEARBY PLACES

The neighbouring villages to Montilla are Monturque, Montemayor, Montalbán de Córdoba and Espejo.

Destinations