Population: 20640

Palma del Río is located on the southwest border of Cordoba and the influence of the proximity to Seville is evident in much of the architecture and art of the town.  Traditional local products include ironwork, ceramics and woodwork.

Lying between two of Andalucias main rivers - the Genil and Guadalquivir - in a fertile zone known as La Vega, Palma in an important agricultural town.  It is also famous for being the birthplace of many famous bullfighters.

Local Fiestas:

Population: 13,589

Aguilar de la Frontera, also known simply as Aguilar, is 50km from the capital Cordoba on the Cordoba-Malaga railway route. A great view of the town and surrounding countryside - full of olive groves and vineyards - can be seen from the Pe de Moro, which is the location of the old Castle.

One of the unique points of interest in Aguilar is the main square - an octagonal shaped plaza surrounded by historic buildings.

At last my newest book is out. Take a look here:

Population: 40.143

Lucena is located in the southern part of the province and is the second most important city after the capital Cordoba city. Sitting on the edge of the Lucena River the city is surrounded by walls and moats.

While Lucena is famous for it furniture production, there are many impressive buildings to visit including:

Palacio de los Condes currently used as the courthouse, which was a palace in the eighteenth century

Population: 20,940

Population: 10.069

Villanuevo de Cordoba is one of the most important towns in the area known as ´Mancomunidad de los Pedroches´ which has one of the largest oak forests in Europe.

Naturally, lumber is an important source of income for the town together with jamon ibérico (Iberian Jam). Each October the town celebrates ´El Día del Jamón´ with sampling of the products of the local jamoneras.

Interesting Fiestas

Population: 4,960

Iznájar is a small town at the southern end of the Cordoba province, close to the borders of both Malaga and Granada.

A useful website with details of all the walking routes available within the natural park and the towns that are found within the park.

Population: 821

Zuheros is a small town on the edge of the Sierra Subbetica Natural park most well known for the ´Cuevas de los Murcielagos´(Bat Caves) with one of the most important colonies of bats in Andalucia. The caves are 4km outside of the village in a moutain called ´Cañada de Malos Vientos´ and contain 2km of limestone caves with stalagmites and stalagtites as well as underground lakes. The 700 steps within the caves take you to 63m below sea level.

Population: 23,245

Montilla is located approximately 40km south of Cordoba set amongst vineyards and olive groves. The Wine Fair of Andalusia is held here and Montilla is known for its Amontillado Wine sold throughout the world but known in Spain simply as Montilla.

Visits to the bodegas can be pre-arranged and at the end of August/beginning of September the´Festival of la Vendimia´ takes place which is the traditional grape treading when the wine is offered to the ´Virgen de las Viñas´ (Virgin of the Vineyards).

Population: 28,639

The name of the town comes from the bridge (puente) over the River Genil. Puente Genil is found close to the border with Seville and 70km south of Cordoba. Easily accessible as it has its own railway station on the Cordoba to Malaga railway.

The town hosts the famous "Festival de Cante Grande" which is a Flamenco Song Festival that lasts a week.

The local history museum is in the old Convento de la Victoria which also houses the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones (conference and exhibition centre).