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GET TO KNOW LA SUBBÉTICA AND LAKE IZNÁJAR

UNESCO Global Geopark

By Another Way Of Life

February 19^th, 2021

La Subbética, a region located in the south of the province of Córdoba, with an area of 159,190 hectares and is made up of fourteen municipalities.

A region full of tourist attractions, where its Natural Park and Vía Verde de la Subbética, its historical-artistic heritage, its archaeological sites, its crafts and its popular traditions reflect the wealth of villages, not forgetting their gastronomy and agricultural products, being of note its two designations of origin in its olive oil and one in its wine.

GET TO KNOW LA SUBBÉTICA AND LAKE IZNÁJAR

HISTORY

First signs of human activity begin in the Quaternary period, approximately 2.7 million years. The oldest evidence of human occupation in La Subbética are rare and go back to the Paleolithic (Middle-Late Pleistocene) where there were very radical climatic variations. During the glacial periods, the great masses of ice did not reach the south of the Iberian Peninsula, but the climate was strongly affected, which led to a general use of caves as a refuge.

The Neolithic period took advantage of a better climate and began to modify the landscape with the development of agriculture and livestock, and the construction of villages. With the Iberians the first cities emerged of fortified enclosures built on hills, with cyclopean walls, and the Roman Subbetica enjoyed great splendor, with the cultivation of olive trees and vines.

After the advance of Castilian-Leonese Spain, the Subbética remained for several centuries as a borderland between Muslims and Christians. The ongoing dispute of territory left a multitude of watchtowers, walls, bridges, castles, some of which remain standing, on rocky headlands, sheltered by hamlets.

AMENITIES

Priego de Córdoba is the largest town in the Subbética and Lake Iznájar area, considered to be one of the most magestically beautiful towns in Andalusia. This particular area reaching down to Iznájar is not densley populated with only villages scattered in between, not to forget the impressive lake itself, considered to be an inland sea.

In Priego one can find all the essential ameneties and more. The bus station has good services to Córdoba, Granada and Lucena, as well as other smaller towns. The nearest airport is Granada for national flights or connecting flights, however for direct flights to a majority of UK and European destinations there is Malaga Airport and Seville Airport. Malaga is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Priego, and Seville is 2 hours away.

GASTRONOMY

Gastronomy is a key aspect of La Subbética culture, the consequence of a rich legacy transmitted by Iberian, Roman, Muslim, Jewish and Christian ancestors. Certain manuscripts, archeology, vicissitudes of history and oral tradition are directly responsible for the palates of today, based on olive oil, aniseed, pork derivatives, sweets and shortbreads. Not forgetting the local wine.

Esculturas de hornazos (confectionery sculptures)

LA SUBBÉTICA AND LAKE IZNÁJAR TOWNS AND VILLAGES

PRIEGO DE CÓRDOBA

Priego, one of the most majestically beautiful towns in Andalusia, is a series of secluded streets and corners crammed with noble houses, architectural monuments and sculptures, all within a complex, irregular urban layout.

The town is only one hour drive up from the coast and Malaga airport and amongst other things it is most famous for being the place where the Baroque art style was first developed.

CARCABUEY

In the center of the region, contributing most of its municipal term to the Natural Park of the Sierras Subbéticas, we find Carcabuey, a small olive-growing town that welcomes us under the skirt of its rocky castle. An impregnable bastion and defensive point that for centuries has served to protect the traditions and tranquility of people, who refuse to abandon their deep roots in favor of uniformity and who welcome the visitor with open arms. A village filled with legend and numerous mysteries revolving around the castle in particular.

RUTE

Overlooking the Iznájar reservoir is this whitewashed town, dwarfed by the Sierra de Rute that looms above it. It is best known for its manufacture of aguardiente de anís, an aniseed-flavoured liqueur, an industry that has been thriving here since the nineteenth century.

IZNÁJAR

The town, situated on a hill overlooking the great Iznajar reservoir on the Genil river, is a core of narrow streets, winding hill with whitewashed houses that seem to hang over the water. It feels as though it has a waterfront overlooking an inland sea some thirty kilometres long, and containing an estimated 900 million m³ of water destined for domestic consumption. In effect, Iznájar offers the perfect setting for anyone wanting to live in the cheaper interior but still retain a 'sea' view. The town has many inhabitants from Northern and Western Europe who decided to move here in order to settle away from stress and daily routine. Malaga city and airport is approximately 1 hour drive south.

FESTIVALS

Belén de Chocolate, Rute

The largest chocolate nativity scene in the world that Galleros Artesanos makes in the sweetest way to delight young and old, year after year. It has been made by hand for 90 years and even has a river made of caramel. The nativity scene is on display from the beginning of October to the 5th January.

Agropriego, Priego de Córdoba

As is tradition, on the third weekend of September, Priego de Córdoba celebrates the Fair of Agricultural Machinery, Fertilizers, Phytosanitary and Food. It may seem surprising that this monographic appointment of the agricultural sector is included in a list of gastronomic events.

The first day offers extra virgin olive oil tasting of the Protected Designation of Origin Priego de Córdoba, its different varieties and the culinary uses. The 'desayuno molinero' of toast with olive oil is typically served for all fair-goers on Saturday morning.

Pascua de los Moraos, Carcabuey

Pascua de los Moraos is, above all, the representation of the local culture. Locals will tell you that spectators always come back to participate in successive years. Due to its peculiarities and because it is the only “carnival”, together with the one in Cádiz and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which survived the dictatorship, in 2006 it was declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia.

Children dress up as elderly men, elderly men dress up as women, women disguise themselves as monsters ... everything has a place in this strange carnival and everything is lived in the street where the party reaches its peak, the participants are the inhabitants and visitors themselves who transform and live those moments in an intense way. At night, a street party takes place until the early hours of the morning, completing a day full of fun, revelry and lots of partying.

Virgen de la Piedad, Iznájar

The festival is celebrated in the month of September in honor of the Virgen de la Piedad, the patron saint of Iznájar, who is dedicated to various services on these days.

On the afternoon of the 8th the patron saint's procession is celebrated, where thousands of devotees accompany her, lighting the way with candles; some carry several large candles, and it is tradition to make promises in kilos of wax.

POPULATION

Iznájar is fast becoming one of the most desirable inland destinations in Andalucia and it does not take too long to fall under the spell of the town. It has become an extremely fashionable place to live, with basketball stars, business men and above all English judges and lawyers all choosing to reside here. Unlike most of the towns to the south, you can still live a fairly traditional life here, but have excellent access to most of the big cities in Andalucia within an hour.

Malaga airport is the nearest to the subbetica area, approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes drive, however, Seville airport would also be an option, approximately 2 hours drive away. Both have good flight options to many major European destinations.

CLIMATE

The climate is continentalized Mediterranean with an Atlantic influence, with rainfall currently irregular in winter and very scarce in summer. Temperatures range between 29.5 ° in summer and 9 ° in towns such as Priego de Córdoba, Rute and Iznájar, although the usual trend in winter is mild temperatures in the rest of the municipalities.

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