Andalusia holds a special charm for visitors, and a large part of what makes it special is the passionate way its people express their culture. Discover it with Caminos de Pasión (Pathways of Passion), a cultural route that connects the towns of Alcalá la Real (in Jaén), Baena, Cabra, Lucena, Priego de Córdoba and Puente Genil (in Córdoba) and Carmona, Osuna, Écija and Utrera (in Seville). What is so special about these places? Above all their famous Holy Week celebrations, which they experience with great devotion, and also their gastronomy, heritage, nature and craftwork.Make contact with the locals, join in the activities on the fringes of the big tourist circuits and be swept up in their passion.
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Experience Holy Week
This religious celebration, so traditional of Spain, takes place every year between March and April. Experiencing it first-hand in any of the villages of the Pathways of Passion route is an incredible experience, as it’s a tradition that they have managed to maintain across the centuries. The streets host the processions and you can enjoy exhibitions of sacred art, special sermons, open days in the religious brotherhoods, concerts, recitals of saetas (Flamenco-style sacred songs)… In addition, in the restaurants and confectioneries you can find sweets typical of these dates like the and the .If you are travelling at another time of the year, you can also visit museums of the different religious brotherhoods with exhibitions showing some of the most valuable pieces related to these festivities such as the steps they take in processions, vestments, posters, etc.
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Discover their heritage
Visiting the streets and squares of these towns and cities is an amazing experience as you will discover all number of impressive castles, beautiful palaces or majestic churches built in different styles.Something that is sure to surprise you is the legacy from the different periods in history, such as the Roman Empire or the Middle Ages. A few examples: The Fortress of La Mota in Alcalá La Real, the Roman town of Fuente Álamo in Puente Genil or the largest excavated Jewish necropolis on the Iberian Peninsula in Lucena (known as the “Pearl of Sepharad”).
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Travel along its paths
This route also boasts some impressive natural landscapes. You will come across hypnotic landscapes, such as the “seas of olives” and protected spaces like the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park and Geopark. There are more than 15 perfectly signposted hiking paths that you can take and up to three Greenways for you discover the area by bike or on foot. These are disused railways lines that have been reconditioned into paths. There is also a Long Distance Route which stretches for over 300 kilometres and covers the whole region.If you prefer something a little more energetic, then you can go paramotoring in Écija, parapenting in Lucena or rafting and kayaking on the Genil river.
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Visiting vineyards and mills
Different farms and establishments (some with centuries of history) offer activities and tours related to agriculture so you can learn about their products first hand. You can dine among the vineyards, go wine tasting, visit aloe vera or olive estates and mills or the Mycological Garden and the Andalusian Mycology Centre “La Trufa” in Priego de Córdoba.
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Enjoy the fiestas
These towns are also known for organising events such as the Potaje Gitano (Gypsy Stew) festival in Utrera, the oldest festival in Spain. You may also be interested in experiencing the Night of Torches and Drums in Alcalá la Real, the competitions in Carmona, the Passion scenes in Cabra, Roman Saturdays in Puente Genil… Pure local tradition.
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Savour the flavours of their gastronomic experiences
This area stands out for its extra virgin olive oils, wines, artisan and convent-made baked products, cured meats and sausages and cheeses... For example, did you know that the olive oil producing town of Baena holds the oldest Designation of Origin in Spain? Or that there is a Lent and Easter Week Food Route? And you can’t leave without first treating yourself to one of the famous mostachones (macaroons) from Utrera or some quince from Puente Genil.You can also visit artisan cheesemakers, an anise factory in Carmona, the Almond Museum in Priego de Córdoba or a craft beer brewery in Alcalá la Real.The local food markets are another great way to experience the local products.
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Shop locally-made products
If you visit this area, you will be able to visit the workshops of craftsmen with knowledge passed down by their ancestors and who are true masters of their trade. You'll see that they make everything from simple tools for domestic or field work to authentic artistic gems. For example, you can buy a piece of pottery or an embroidered item as a souvenir.All of these destinations are close to some of the most famous cities in Andalusia such as Seville, Granada and Cordoba, so you can comfortably fit in a visit on your trip. Discover the essence of Southern Spain.
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