The Road from Santiago

  Happy St James the Greater day.  St James led a reasonably quiet life as far as historical noise is concerned until he began to follow Jesus.  Sometime in the early Medieval sources decided that he had it that he actually came to Spain and was killed for his pains in 44CE.  Thus we have our patron saint’s day and next year is one of the special ones. Ahead of us is the municipality of Villafranca de Cordoba.  Almost 5000 people felt this was the place to live, Francisco Palomares Sanchez was just the right chap to have as mayor and Saint Isidore the Farmer would do as patron saint.   It has its usual prehistoric dwellers, Romans and the like. Pedro I of Castile moved new people in the 14th century.  From 1842 about 3-5,000 people made it home. It has been a PSOE stronghold since 1983 but between 1979 and 1983 the Communists held sway. Let us wander through the town and to the Bar Restaurante Parque de las Cespedillas. It gets 4.3 stars and will do yo...

  We are out and about and following the CO-3103 into hillsides which have photos from mostly cooler times of the year.  We aren’t near too many things today so we will deal with them and then move on to food. Castillo de Kant-Hisn is a little away from the Guadalquivir.   Acisclo does a neat job of summary and gives us our title today. ‘ The Muslim castle known as Los Torreones sits atop a rise overlooking a ford of the Guadalquivir River, between the municipality of Villafranca, to which it belongs, and the city of Córdoba, in the province of Córdoba.  This site is an archaeological complex that corresponds to a large settlement where some remains of protohistoric fortifications are preserved, and upon which an Arab fortress was built in the late 11th century. Remains dating back to the Bronze Age have been found at this site. Some walls and two towers are still standing, as well as a rectangular cistern. It was built with ashlar masonry and rammed earth. It is in ...

  We are in on one of those roads which used to be the main route and has those hotels which used to service the long distance traveler. The Hotel La Lancha comes in at 1-star in quality and 3.5 stars in reviews.  This intrigues me greatly. Google’s links have let me down  It will not give me a price for staying tonight.  I have gone off in pursuit.  https://hotellalancha.shop/   The website makes it seem the very paragon of virtues. Nestled conveniently between Córdoba and Alcolea, Hotel La Lancha stands as an exemplary choice for travelers seeking comfort and camaraderie. This hotel is particularly loved for its budget-friendly rates and vibrant atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for friends looking to spend quality time together.     Guests have praised the hotel's covered football court, which provides everything needed for a spirited day of sports and laughter. In the words of satisfied visitor Quirós, "highly recommended and low ...

  We are walking out of town. It will take some time.  First we will go to the Torre de la Malmuerta. You know a city has a bit of class when it has a bit of wall or tower hidden behind a row of mundane sort of housing.  What then of one that is out and proud. The Torre de la Malmuerta - a tower and an arch of intactness. Csaba Biro tells us  ‘Torre de la Malmuerta is a gate tower of the Axerquia wall in Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain. This Albarrana tower was built in: 1406–1408, by order of King Henry III of Castile, over a pre existing Almohad structure, to defend the gates of Rincón and Colodro. Later it was also used as a prison for nobles. ‘ Ben is less historic in his view. ‘ Nice mini castle like structure next to some traffic lights. Oddly out of place, but brings some culture and charm to an area otherwise devoid of any. ‘ We are passing a Japanese Head Spa. I have never been to a Japanese Head Spa so let us pop in. It gets 4.9 stars.  https://www.cordoba...