Tourist Information from Palma del Rio, Córdoba, Spain

Palma del Rio Tourist Information:

Palma del Rio is a municipality in the province of Córdoba, in Andalucia, Spain. Palma del Río overlooks Seville, and this is reflected both in the accent of its residents and in traits in its architecture, both characteristic for their use of brick, tile and ochre. Any visit to this town, the farming capital of La Vega, should start in the walled town, listed for its historical and artistic value and one of the best preserved examples in Andalusia.

Places of interest in Palma del Rio:

This castle is made up of the ALCAZABA or CASTILLO (of which virtually nothing remains) and a medieval town, which includes a series of very valuable buildings: the PORTACARRERO PALACE, the chapel and cloisters of the former CONVENT OF SANTA CLARA, the CHURCH OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA ASUNCIÓN and the CHAPEL OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LAS ANGUSTIAS. The ALCAZABA or CASTLE, of which only a few remains survive, is in the northwest corner.

It is a square building, with mortar walls and five square towers, one of which marks the start of the outer walls. Alongside this, there is the so-called TORRE DE LAS ANGUSTIAS, or Tower of Suffering; it is an octagonal building converted into a chapel in the 18th century and located on a site known as ARQUITO QUEMADO (the Burned Arch).

By the walls is the PUERTA DEL SOL or DE LA VILLA, the Sun or Town Gateway, which was the entrance to the medieval citadel. Above this, there is a splendid plateresque balcony from the 16th century, with ironwork, striated columns and circular decorations.

Within the walls, there are a number of buildings that are amongst the oldest in the town. The CHURCH OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA ASUNCIÓN (18th century) has an interesting portal made from red brick supporting the tower. Inside, it follows a Latincross d sign, with a great nave with side chapels and striking tribunes of a rococo design constructed over the vaulting.

Near the parish church is the former CONVENT OF SANTA CLARA; founded at the start of the 16th century, it has a single nave church with a octagonal roof covered by a dome which dates back to rebuilding work from 18th century, a fitting setting for the striking belfry. The CHAPEL OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LAS ANGUSTIAS also falls within the boundaries of the protected area. Built in the last third of the 18th century, inside it follows a Greek-cross design and has interesting plasterwork decorations. Lastly, there is the PORTACARRERO PALACE, which dates back to the 16th century. It has two cloistered courtyards and elegant archways supported by marble columns, rich coffered ceilings and an interesting façade crowned with an arch.

You can also visit: the former HOSPITAL DE SAN SEBASTIÁN, the highlight of which is the gothic-mudejar church; the COLLEGE OF LA INMACULADA, whose Rosary chapel has a beautiful rococo altarpiece; the CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO, which offers a striking blend of styles in its façade; the BAROQUE HERMITAGE OF THE BUEN SUCESO or the HERMITAGE OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE BELÉN, built into the hillside beside the river Guadalquivir, on land called the “Fuente de los Condes” (or Counts’ Spring), and surrounded by terraced gardens.