Tourist Information from Bujalance, Córdoba, Spain

General Information of Bujalance:

Bujalance is a municipality in the province of Córdoba, in Andalusia, Spain.

· Town Hall: Plaza Mayor, 1 Tel. 957 170 080 www.aytobujalance.es

· Mancomunidad del Alto Guadalquivir: Plaza de Jesús, 11 - Montoro Tel. 957 160 500 www.altoguadalquivir.com

· Tourist Initiatives Centre Alto Guadalquivir: Tel. 957 161 484 www.citaltoguadalquivir.com

· Tourist office: Plaza Mayor, 1 Tel. 957 171 289

Historical and artistic heritage from Bujalance:

A visit to Bujalance by Caliph Abderraman III led to the construction of a fortress to watch over the road leading to Córdoba. This castle was called Bury al-Hansh or the Torre de la Serpiente (Snake Tower) which is where the town gets its name from. The old town has a number of interesting historical buildings and monuments, such as the ALCAZABA CASTLE, an Islamic fortress built by Abderraman III in 935.

Its seven great towers, with those of Las Palomas and La Mazmorra standing out, are still preserved, alongside the inner esplanade, a former bullring that is now used as a playground.

Near the Alcazaba, is the CHURCH OF LA ASUNCIÓN, a gothic renaissance temple with a 55-metre high tower from the 18th century, the tallest in the province. Its main renaissancestyle altarpiece from the 16th century stands out; as does the Capilla del Sagrario (Tabernacle Chapel), from the 18th century; la Puerta Lateral (Side Door), from the 17th; and the great oil painting representing the Battle of Lepanto, in the Tabernacle.

The Plaza Mayor is dominated by the AYUNTAMIENTO (or Town Hall), built in 1680, during the reign of Carlos II. It is a mansion house with an 18-metre long balcony; inside, it has some renaissance maces made from silver and a number of works by the local artist Benítez Mellado. The lower part of the square leads off to Calle Eduardo Sotomayor and, further down, the church of the former HOSPITAL DE SAN JUAN DE DIOS. Here, you can take a look at the cloistered courtyard and portals, one of which is adorned with works by the painter Antonio Contreras.

Near the hospital is the CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO, a 16th century church, of which only the main doors remain. Its brick tower stands out; made in four parts, it looks very similar to that of Córdoba’s Cathedral. On the outskirts of the town, you can find the HERMITAGE OF JESÚS NAZARENO, which, in its present state, dates back to the first third of the 18th century. The plasterwork decoration inside stands out for being unusual in Córdoba’s architecture in this period. Other interesting temples include the MONASTERY OF SAN JOSÉ Y SANTA TERESA, inside which is the CHURCH OF SANTA TERESA, decorated with snake-like baroque mouldings, and the HERMITAGE OF LA VERA CRUZ, which conserves an image of St John the Baptist.

It is also worth visiting the MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF MAN AND THE ENVIRONMENT housed in the Municipal deposit, the 18th century Las Tercias, beside the Town Hall.