Discover Villanueva Del Duque

Villanueva Del Duque brings together Romanesque art, routes through varied landscapes, stargazing and regional cuisine. If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip, these themes can help you choose your destination: you can explore historic sites, discover nature or learn about local traditions.

Romanesque Art and Local History

The Ruta Villanueva Románica is 1.3 kilometres long and connects the Ermita Virgen de Guía with the Museo Tallas Románicas in the Iglesia San Mateo. Its focus is six Romanesque carvings, considered the oldest in Andalusia and the subject of their own museum. The figures were discovered in 1955 during construction work in a niche in the Ermita de la Virgen de Guía. Their design shows clear influences from Basque-Navarrese iconography of the second half of the 13th century.

The Parroquia de San Mateo Apóstol also offers a glimpse into the town’s architectural history: the nave, tower and choir had all been completed by 1551 at the latest. The Museo de la Antigua Molina explores another aspect of local life, showcasing traditional olive oil production methods. Its exhibits include an old stone mill, a hydraulic press and settling tanks. The Ruta Cruces de Villanueva focuses on water-related structures, including fountains, shafts and waterwheels, as well as an open-air museum.

The Ruta del Condado de Belalcázar explores a broader historical connection, linking Villanueva del Duque, Belalcázar, Hinojosa del Duque and Fuente La Lancha through their shared history.

Scenic Routes and Nature

The Vía Verde de la Minería runs for 17.4 kilometres from the former El Soldado railway station in Villanueva del Duque to the municipal boundary between Villanueva del Duque and Bélmez. Its surface is made of compacted earth and gravel. The route passes through grazed holm oak groves and gentle hills; at its western end, the landscape becomes mountainous and the vegetation more varied.

The Ruta Villanueva Románica is considerably shorter, at 1.3 kilometres. The Ruta de las Trincheras del Viñón follows a different route: it starts at Estación de Peñas Blancas, passes through El Calerín and the Trincheras del Viñón, and returns to the starting point along a parallel path. This circular route passes through grazed holm oak groves and a mountain range. The routes’ differing courses and lengths let you consider cultural sites and landscapes as separate focuses for your trip.

Extensive grazed holm oak groves are part of the landscape south of Villanueva del Duque. Higher up are the source of the River Cuzna and the Sierra del Viñón. In the Sierra of Villanueva del Duque, pine forests and dense vegetation provide shelter for wild boar and deer; common birds include jackdaws and kestrels. A natural viewpoint at the Ermita de San Gregorio looks out over the town and much of the valley: from Pozoblanco to Hinojosa del Duque, and from El Viso and the mountains of Santa Eufemia to the El Soldado mines and the mountains associated with the Valle del Guadiato.

Stargazing and Activities

The Observatorio Astronómico de Villanueva del Duque enables visitors to observe stars, planets and the universe as a whole, and is used for both public outreach and research. Its five-metre dome can accommodate groups of up to twelve people. Next to it is an astronomical viewpoint with two information panels about the night sky and a power supply for using your own telescopes.

At the Dehesa Boyal recreation area, Villaduke Esaventura offers a course with suspension bridges, Ciclocart races, archery, blowpipe shooting and paintball. Alongside cultural routes and nature observation, these activities provide a range of options to consider when planning your trip.

Regional Cuisine and Festivals

Traditional cuisine is based on products from pig slaughtering and also includes lamb tail, migas, escabeche, sobrehusa, ajo and cachorreñas. Baked goods include hornazo, eaten on Easter Sunday. Extra virgin olive oil from the region is used in typical dishes and baked goods. The Ruta del Aceite ends with a tasting of olive oil from the Sierra de Villanueva del Duque.

Festive traditions also mark the year: on Easter Monday, the festival in honour of the Santísima Virgen de Guía is celebrated with a procession to the hermitage, a bonfire, the Jota serreña and circle games. The pilgrimage procession from Fuente la Lancha to Villanueva del Duque takes place on foot, on horseback and in carriages, accompanied by singing and dancing. The Feria y Fiestas de la Virgen de Guía y San Jacinto is listed as taking place from 14 to 18 August; check the programme for the year of your trip if you’d like to plan around a festival.

Discover more destinations: El Cerezo, Villaviciosa De Córdoba, Cardeña, Espiel, Belalcázar, Lucena, Peñarroya-Pueblonuevo, La Jara

For the main travel overview: Cordoba.