Es triste a saber que estamos terminando nuestros días aquí en España. ¡Sólo quedan cuatro días! ☹
English Translation:
Whether called “City of Water,” “Jewel of the Baroque Native of Córdoba,” or “The Lock and Key to the Kingdom of Granada,” Priego of Córdoba is undoubtedly an obligatory stop on any map or travel guide – especially to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The old, authentic Andalusian town, a prosperous olive-farming farm, is tucked away in the southeast province of Córdoba and sits at the foot of the fertile plains and under the shelter of the rolling hills of the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park. Priego is considered to be one of the most enchanting and beautiful villages in Spain, highly believable due to its multitude of beautiful and sumptuous Baroque churches, traditional Andalusian neighborhoods, and beautiful monuments such as the Fuente del Rey. The area is also right in the center of Andalusia and has a wealth of birdlife and wildflowers. The first references to Priego date back to the Middle Paleolithic era, and in a much later time period, the Roman Empire occupied the area between the third century B.C. and the fifth century A.D. Priego represents Andalusia at its most refined and authentic.The oldest residential section of Priego, Barrio de la Villa is filled with narrow cobbled streets too small for a car, and white houses with Moorish-style walls covered in plant pots and brightly colored geraniums and petunias. It is bordered on one side by the town’s natural fortress, a high cliff, and the elevated belvedere known as the Adarve (a promenade that skirts the fortified cliff edge) offers impressive 180-degree views of the mountains and olive groves. Down past the Adarve, our group ran into some cherry and apricot trees with bright red cherries and sweet apricots, ready to be eaten. We each grabbed a handful of cherries or one or two apricots and enjoyed a sweet snack on a hot day. Cool mineral water, direct from the Sierras, also gushes from countless spouts throughout the town and the King’s Fountain, declared a National Monument, consists of a sculpture of a lion fighting a snake by Álvarez Cubero and another sculpture of Neptune and Anfítrite riding on a chariot drawn by horses that come out of the water, made by Remigio del Mármol. Most of the churches are built in Baroque style due to the fact that at this time, the town was wealthy from the silk trade. Additionally, our group got a quick peek at the castle of Priego, which was under construction or renovation during our visit. The thirteenth-century castle was later remodeled in the sixteenth century, and there is a large prayer tower and six other smaller towers. The structure is military in architectural style, as befits its original defensive purposes, and the tower – “Torre del Homenaje” – measures approximately 30 meters in height, with part of the tower being underground today.
It’s sad to know that we are finishing up our days here in Spain. Only four days left! ☹
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