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SUBBÉTICA CORDOBESA
Liquid gold, baroque, and autumn trails in the
Subbética cordobesa
Words: Editorial Staff Photos: Tourism in the Subbética region of Córdoba
In the heart of Andalucía, where the sie-
rras ripple between endless olive groves
and whitewashed villages, the Subbética
of Córdoba becomes an irresistible des-
tination each autumn. As the air turns fresher
and the fields release that deep green aroma
of freshly harvested fruit, one of the most au-
thentic moments of the year begins: the oli-
ve-picking season and the celebration of ex-
tra virgin olive oil, the region’s true liquid gold.
Three designations of origin,
one shared passion
Few regions can boast of safeguarding three
Protected Designations of Origin (PDO)
devoted to extra virgin olive oil: Priego de
Córdoba, Baena and Lucena. Each has
its own character, landscape and history.
In Priego de Córdoba, the oils stand out for
their unmistakable aromatic elegance—in-
tense, complex and fruity, with notes remi-
niscent of freshly cut grass, green apple or
almond—among the most award-winning in
the world. In Baena, the olive-growing tradi-
tion dates back to Roman times, and its ba-
lanced oils reflect centuries of rural culture.
Lucena, meanwhile, brings a more southern
profile, with smooth, enveloping oils that are
perfect for everyday cooking and unhurried
enjoyment.
This mosaic of flavours and landscapes has
given rise to a flourishing form of tourism:
oleotourism, a way of travelling that con-
nects visitors with the essence of La Sub-
bética, showcasing it through the region’s
deep-rooted know-how. At this time of year,
the oil mills open their doors to reveal the
process of cold extraction, allowing trave-
llers to witness how the fruit becomes a bri-
ght, green juice.
In many cases, the millers themselves lead
the tours, sharing with passion the secrets of
an ancient, inherited craft.
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