Fuente Obejuna

Fuente Obejuna – Cuenca del Guadiato Region

Fuente Obejuna is the municipality of the province of Córdoba with more territory (587 Km²), that extends in the region of the Cuenca del Guadiato, for the three sub-regional units distinguished in this area: the peneplain of NO, the wide central valley of the River Guadiato, and the group of labyrinthine alignments of the southern edge of Sierra Morena, which integrates the Sierra de los Santos. The town is at the centre of the municipality and spread out in it the 14 villages. The present town has 6020 inhabitants; 3110 h. is the urban census and 2810 h. in the villages.

In the municipal area of Fuente Obejuna there have been found the oldest archaeological remains of the province, belonging to the Lower Palaeolithic. In the area around La Cardenchosa megalithic remains were found in its dolmens, being spectacular the ones of the farm called Los Delgados and La Sierrezuela, where appeared skeletal remains and funerary objects.

It dates from Roman times, with the name of Fons Mellaria o La Melaria de los Túrdulos, where more peculiarities of its history are known; its importance comes from its privilege to mint money even under Roman rule.

Since the reconquest it was subject to the jurisdiction of Córdoba. In 1460 Enrique IV donates the village of Don Pedro Téllez Girón, Master of Calatrava, remaining some year in possession of the Order itself.

In 1475 the Catholic Monarchs granted permission to Córdoba to take over the town. The city, with the support of neighbours, tries to take Fuente Obejuna without success.   In 1476 pressure by the inhabitants of Córdoba, the town of Fuente Obejuna shall kill the Knight Commander of Calatrava, Don Fernán Gómez de Guzmán. This historic event laid the foundation to Lope de Vega to build its popular dramatic piece that bears the name of the town.

There was a true exodus of people from Fuente Obejuna, that after its flight was being founded a total of 37 villages. Although after the events the population fell into the hands of Córdoba, the Order would use the Pope to mediate the dispute.

It was Toledo that ruled in favour of the Order, confirmed judgement by Inocencio III. After the intersection of the Queen Juana in 1513 it is reached an agreed solution. The villa is joined to Córdoba, receiving the Order of Calatrava 30.000 golden ducats, paid equally between the Crown and Córdoba. Many of the villages based on the flight continue to be so today. Five of them signed in 1817 the village of Five Villages in Valsequillo which established its first council.

Monuments

Church of San Miguel, XIV century.
Parish Church of Ntra. Sra. del Castillo, with beautiful Renaissance grilles.
Chapel of San Sebastián or Ntra. Sra. de Gracia.
Chapel of La Caridad, with Mudejar head.
Church of La Presentación de María, from 1532.
Church of San Francisco, with its big lady chapel of Rococo style, from the XVIII century.

Renaissance monstrance attributed to El Vandalino, XVI century
Ancestral houses, with coat of arms in its facades that testifies its title.

Town Planning

Palacete modernista (Casa Cardona).
Casa señorial del Marqués de Valdeloro.

Museums

Retablos renacentistas (Renaissance altarpieces).
Imaginería (making of religious images) from the XIV century (Virgen del Castillo)
Sillería del coro del convento de San Francisco (Masonry of the choir in the convent of San Francisco).

Fuente Obejuna Gastronomy

Fuente Obejuna has an excellent gastronomy based on hunting products, Iberian pork and lamb.
We can taste an excellent Iberian suckling pig, garlic rabbit, lomo de Orza and its cold meats: wild boar, deer or excellent homemade merino sheep cheeses, or maybe some homemade sweets such as: fritters, perrunillas, flores, gachas con tostones, leche frita (dessert made from milk and flour fried in egg) or fritters.

All these foods may be accompanied by a glass of Vino de Pitarra like tradition in our land as we can not forget the importance of thyme and rosemary to the marinade of our dishes.
Our land has been able to focus its gastronomy in the exquisite products of the area, being this the main source of attraction for both visitors and people from Fuente Obejuna who are proud to taste and enjoy these dishes. Our rich gastronomic variety can be enjoyed in typical places such as restaurants, bars and taverns both in Fuente Obejuna and their small villages.

How to get there

You have to exit Córdoba, continue: N-432 and alleyway of El Vacar. Turn left: CP-016. Pass through Villanueva del Rey. Take PA-901. In the area around Doña Rama, continue: CP-145. Continue in: CO-9013. Follow signs until you get Fuente Obejuna.

Distances

Córdoba 89 km
Bélmez 23 km
El Porvenir 11 km
Alcaracejos 48 km
La Granjuela 15 km
Fuente la Lancha 49 km
Villanueva del Duque 44 km
Villaviciosa de Córdoba 51 km
Peñarroya – Pueblonuevo 16 km