Porto - Barcelona Day 15 Zuheros - Alcala la Real

Buenos dias (good morning) from Hacienda Minerva and the weather was superbly great.

Collecting our Bromptons at the garage and setting out a leisure morning cruise at the highland.

We were ready to ride on the path that we missed yesterday and eagerly wanting to check out the place with such a good weather.

The green path of Subbetica where car & motorcycles are prohibited.

It is known as the Subbética Greenway that runs for 58 km through the south of the province of Cordoba following the route of the old Olive Oil Train.

Today this trail, between the river Guadajoz near the town of Luque and the village of Navas del Selpillar, that allows cyclists and walkers to enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

The Greenway passes close to picturesque towns and villages, such as Luque, Zuheros, Doña Mencía, Cabra, and Lucena and is dotted with majestic castles and one or two mysterious caves that we have no chance to explore.

 Isn't it amazing and incredible with such a beautiful landscape of this Greenway.

We only could do a tiny portion of the route, our folding bicycles are not suitable for this mountainous terrain and most of all we do not have the luxury of time in Zuheros.

Hello, what is this mini bike doing in the mountain? Any way have fun and enjoy your ride.

A truly good section of eco tourism for Spain which is getting popular globally and towards a healthier lifestyle.

Hola! have an enjoyable ride and a wonderful day.

It is in deed a good move to convert the disused railway lines into cycling and walking routes. 

I like the clean and cooling atmosphere, how nice if I could ride on and on as much as I can.

A special way to travel in a country with extraordinary scenery, amazing valleys, mountains and bridges of more than a hundred years old.

We like the new adventure and surprises, Zuheros is one of them and away from the bustling cities.

Zuheros shall be one place we shall remember even though it was only for a short spell.

A viaduct over a valley of Zuheros which leads to the village centre and part of the Greenway.

Adios, we have to leave now and hope to come back if we can. 

8 folded Bromptons at the trailer while the 8 riders sitting comfortably in a hired MPV to Alcala la Real.

The driver's name is Jose (in Hokkien we call him "Hosay") who is a fun guy even though we had a communication problem, thanks to Google Translate we managed to get some connection. 

Relax and we will be in Alcala la Real soon.....

Goodbye Jose, thanks for the ride and wishing you good luck.

All set and let's look for Casa Grande.

The place we will be putting for a night in Alaca La Real at Casa Grande, Calle Martínez Montañés, GPS : 37.462137, -3.925625. With the owner from England Jade and her mum Linda.

Our lunch at Taberna El Quinto de Cabildo was just next to this square, Plaza Arcipreste de Hita. GPS : 37.463499, -3.924801. The restaurant was packed and noisy but the food was good and it was worth the waiting. Buen provecho (enjoy your meal).

We then took a slow and relax hike to visit the Fortress of La Mota or the castle of Alcala la Real. 

It is located in magical surroundings at 1,033 metres above sea level, this walled enclave was the gateway, guardian and defender of the kingdoms of Castile.

Here we were visiting the castle. One of the must do things when you are in this neigbourhood. The ticketing booth/office was quiet when we came in. Alcalá la Real is also known as the frontier city, a medieval city perfectly fortified and defended once upon a time.

 A set of watchtowers that can be seen throughout the municipality, highlights the importance of this space in the transition from the Middle Ages to the modern age.

The word Alcalá means fortified city in Arabic. Its geographical location confirms the enormous strategic value it has had over the centuries. Abbey church known as La Iglesia Mayor Abacial, built in 1530.

The majestic sight of the Fortress of La Mota provides travellers with a visual indication of the historic importance of this frontier city. 

In 713, with the Muslim conquest, the city is renamed Qal’at, an Araba word for a fortified population. It is around the year 1000, when the watchtower of La Mota becomes a real fortress, appearing as one of the most important nuclei of Al-Andalus under the aegis of the Banu Said family. Subsequently, after the dissolution of the Caliphate and its split in the Kingdoms of Taifas, Qal’at became a stronghold of the Nasrid kingdom from which numerous incursions were made against Jaen and other Castilian borderlands. Finally it was conquered in 1341 (century and a half before the fall of the Nasrid kingdom) by Alfonso XI, who granted the title to him of La Real that since then it appears in his toponym. From this moment on his shield is a key, symbol of its strategic importance. In 1432 King John II granted him the status of a city.

Dinner at Restaurante Casa Pepe
at Calle Espinosa,GPS : 37.464769, -3.924031 for some interesting and delicious tapas. Tomorro's destination with be Granada. 
By the way, Alcalá La Real is a land of wine, olive oil and cherries. The well-known Etnosur Festival takes place in this city, a multi-ethnic cultural fair held in mid-July.

Porto - Barcelona Day 14 Cordoba - Zuheros

Good morning Cordoba as viewed from the apartment and will be leaving Cordoba in the afternoon to Zuheros.

Without wasting much time in the morning, we went out for a ride and hoping to see more places. 

We found Plaza de la Corredera Square, kind of a red square to me with 4 storey buildings surrounding the square. Located at GPS : 37.883834, -4.774545. There are a number of restaurants and taverns with outdoor terraces making the place a perfect place to relax and chill. You can also walk and shop around the square with the many shops.

Apparently it is a historical town square dating back to the 17th century & bounded by an old town hall, a jail and bull fighting arena.

One of the most magnificent places in Cordoba, covering an area of 67,000 square feet, this rectangular square ranks among the largest sites of its kind in Andalusia.

After much poking around the corners I found a market at one of the many door openings. It is de la Corredera Market.

The Mercado de la Corredera is a busy morning food market selling all kinds of fresh produce.

We were sort of getting familiar with Iberian ham market and also its pricing.

Later we bumped into these statues at a college known as Colegio Ntra. Sra. de la Piedad
at Plaza de las Cañas, GPS : 37.882719, -4.774286

A beautiful monument called the "Triumph of San Rafael". It honors the Archangel Raphael, the Guardian Angel of Cordoba saving the people of Cordoba from evil plague. It date back in the 18th century, in the rococo style, consisting of a pedestal surrounded by columns. It was sculptured by French sculptor Michel Verdiguier. My Brompton had the honour to be with the monument.

We were denied entry at the front entrance of Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos also known as the Alcázar of Córdoba because of an event. We were directed to see other places at the north of the site. I later found out it was Torre del homenaje (Tower of Homage) that we visited, a tower with access corridor of a horseshoe arch. 

 The Tower of Homage has been a National Historic-Artistic Monument since 1943. 

A picture outside the Tower of Homage before we move on to another spot.

And it was back to the Roman Bridge one more time for a morning view, the sky was obviously bright and beautiful.

At the street of Ronda de Isasa for the second time with daylight.

It was time to load our bags, check out from the apartment and find our way to the Bus Terminal.

Estación de Córdoba (Railway Station of Cordoba) is where the bus terminal is situated and it is just across the road.

Crossing over the the Bus Terminal.

Getting prepared to board a bus at 1pm for our next destination. 

I was glad that we did not attempt to cycle to Zuheros as the terrain does not look friendly at all as I observed from the bus.

The majority of the land is covered with olive plantation and the scenery is about all the same as we travelled towards Zuheros. 

The bus has finally arrived at Zuheros at a bus stop right in front of a restaurant, there were customers sitting outside the restaurant but were not so friendly when we did not get any reaction after saying hello to them. Probably at this remote place up in the highland there is no Chino (Chinese) people and would seem awkward to see one. Name of the restaurant is Meson Atalaya located at Santo Road, GPS : 37.544446, -4.313017. At the opposite of the restaurant is a museum, Juan Fernández Cruz Museum of Customs and Popular Arts. 

After a good meal at Meson Atalaya we proceeded looking for our accommodation in this secluded land.

I was wondering what porky place is this, it was closed. I think it has to be a butch shop.

Zuheros is a mountain village located in the province of Córdoba, Spain and has a small population of less than 1,000 inhabitants. 

It was too steep to cycle at some part and safer to walk. An elderly man walking up slowly with his walking stick, I guess it's his daily routine coming up the the commercial spot.

Taking the opportunity to snap a few shoots at this quiet village as the ladies were happily pushing their bikes.

Then the scenery changed with natural mountain appearing at the backdrop. 

Still at a pushing mode and enjoying the beautiful landscape of Zuheros.

Yeah, it down hill and let's carefully roll it down.

The view was awesome and there are have lovely trails to walk or maybe bike in this serene atmosphere.

That spot with old buildings in the middle had to be place we will be staying and judging from the location it looks fabulous tucking in the midst of the green mountain surrounded with olive plants.

The path leading to Hacienda Minerva, a typical Andalusian farm house that has been converted into a beautiful rural hotel. GPS : 37.542917, -4.334303.

A group of guests who came together with an organised bicycle tour and they were all on mountain bikes.

The main entrance to the boutique hotel, a 4-star hotel and everyone of us really like the place.

The courtyard surrounded with rooms and truly a great experience to spend a night in farm land.

The simple room that was homely and comfortable.

Looking out from the balcony and enjoying the view of the farm house.

While others saying "hello" to friends at the opposite balcony.

What a unique light switches found on the wall in the room.

A cosy dinner at a quiet dining corner in the evening and the food was good coupled with a nice bottle of white wine. Good night Zuheros.