Santaella

The variety of architectural styles to be seen in Santaella is one of the main attractions of this typical Andalusian town, but not the only one. Romanesque, Gothic, Mudejar, Plateresque, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles can all be found in this town, just 43 kilometres from Cordoba.

The charming lower town or Barrio Bajo, with narrow streets of whitewashed houses, reminds us that this is Andalusia. We recommend visiting the La Asunción church, a large Renaissance building which represents the district well. Also, the Sanctuary of La Virgen del Valle is considered one of the most beautiful examples of the Baroque in Cordoba and Andalusia. The medieval castle, with its 12th century Islamic walls and tower, dominates the Barrio Bajo. The area’s agriculture and good wines are the basis of the reliably good local cuisine. Traditional dishes include cocido con garbanzos blancos (chickpea stew), migas (fried breadcrumbs), salmorejo, and white gazpacho. Game is represented in recipes like hare with white wine, or kid goat with sherry. For dessert, famous local pastries include roscos de gachas, and pastelillos de sidra (cider cakes).