Going on to discover Deep Andalusia

Andalusia seems to have everything; mountains, snow just a stone’s throw from the beach, an almost eternal sun, a rich and diverse cultural and monumental heritage, an almost infinite gastronomy, culture, open and charming people, beautiful cities and towns, well the list is very long.

Although it is well known that the coast is one of the most important attractions to visit Andalusia, however, it should be noted that it is in the towns and cities of the interior, where, for obvious reasons, often retain the essence of Andalusia itself.

The heart of Andalusia, is a plan to make an exciting itinerary through ten inland municipalities, which for several years decided in a small meeting in Puente Genil, which I was lucky enough to attend as a Tourism Technician of the City of Lucena, create a route, around something so Andalusian, and so ours, as is Easter, the route is called “Paths of Passion”.

And what is Paths of Passion? It is something more than a thematic route, it is probably the way to find the essence of inland Andalusia, that baroque and full of centenary customs, in which Holy Week has been and continues to be, the excuse to overturn part of our religious feeling. They are also cities surrounded by rural landscapes, olive groves and historical centres full of heritage of all kinds, history and, above all, places where these customs are lived with fervor.

I recommend this route to all those who want to discover first hand and be witnesses of the essence of Andalusia, its passion, and love for its land, proud of everything there is to see and show.

The route as such, has an advantage over the others, it is not necessary to have an order in time or form, it is not even necessary to make it complete, to get an idea of it.

The route is formed by the following cities: Utrera, Carmona, Écija, Osuna (from Seville), Puente Genil, Lucena, Cabra, Baena and Priego de Córdoba (from Córdoba) and Alcalá la Real (from Jaén), a trip to the very heart of passion in Andalusia.

As for the dates, I recommend doing it during Lent, between early March and mid-April, for several reasons, but especially for the suitability of the moment, all the cities are engaged in the preparations for Easter, and also, for the climate, just at the beginning of spring, which normally makes a milder weather for both cold and heat.

Later on, I’ll be figuring out what to do in each of the cities, especially those I know best, such as Lucena, Puente Genil, Cabra and Priego de Córdoba.