Monday 24th March 2025 – Priego de Cordoba, Spain

There was no rain overnight and we awoke to blue skies and sunshine and, although it was only 3°C first thing, the sun soon started to warm it up. At 10:00 we left the van without our coats on, although they were in my rucksack. However, this was a good sign and the weather forecast is looking much drier. It was so good to feel real warmth in the sun.
Although it was quite a long walk into the old town, it was an interesting walk through the modern town with a large number of independent shops. We arrived at the Fuente del Rey where the very important spring of Fuente de la Salud rises. It was the spring with its large volume and reliability that led to the occupation of the area from the Neolithic, through Roman times and into the modern era.
We visited the very helpful tourist information office and then walked into the old town and the Moorish castle that was heavily re-modelled in the 13^th and 14^th centuries, including the addition of a tall keep. We walked around the top of the walls and up a number of the towers and enjoyed the extensive views over the town, the countryside and the mountains. It was a beautifully clear day, such a contrast from yesterday afternoon.
Priego is positioned on the edge of a very high cliff providing a commanding view over the area and we walked to the Balcony of Adarve on the edge of the cliff to enjoy those views. Many houses in the narrow alleys had plant pots all over their walls and soon they will be a riot of colour.
As it was a Monday, most churches and other sites were closed but we spent some more time wandering the streets before returning to the van.
A whole day with no rain!
Photos: The Fuente del Rey looking towards the spring source; Jane found this gentlemen’s conversation much better than mine; View from the castle; View from the Balcony of Adarve; One of Priego’s narrow streets.