Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
POETS write about two Andalucian rivers, and it just so happens that Palma del Río is surrounded by both of them.
The Guadalquivir (mentioned by Byron) passes north of the city, flowing from Córdoba towards Sevilla. The Geníl (beloved of Lorca) touches the edge of Palma on its southern side.
Forty miles west of Córdoba, the small city of Palma del Río is cordobés in feel, but also pleasantly independent.
We’ll only mention a few of the many monks and sisters who have made this town famous.
María de Cazalla was born in Palma in 1487. Coming from a family of ‘conversos’ (Jewish people who embraced Christianity), she became a Franciscan nun and is today celebrated for her philosophical ideas.
Juan Santiago León de Garabito lived in the second half of the 1600s. He rose to the highest clerical position in Mexico as a Palman with great intellectual and administrative abilities.
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Maria Christina of Habsburg-Lorraine ruled Spain for an entire year (1885-6). Palma became a city named in her honour in 1888.
El Cordobes is still around today. Manuel Benítez soared to stardom as an unorthodox bullfighter in the 1960s.
Palma is a beautiful island. Its most famous feature is its Walled Enclosure. Formerly a fortress, the Walled Enclosure is now a precinct that has five towers. This is where the Puerta del Sol archway and the Portocarrero Palace balcony are located.
Recently, the horseshoe arches that form corner defense have been restored.
Today, most visitors come to Palma del Rio to see the Victorio & Lucchino Museum.
The former convent Santa Clara is now home to the fashion collection.
Exhibits that are described as a “journey through creative process” show the evolution in the art of Sevillan designer’s over the years.
For anyone travelling from Sevilla to Córdoba, Palma del Río is the ideal stopover.
When it comes to accommodation, we recommend the “Hospedería de Santa Clara”, part of the former convent, but graced with its own courtyard and garden.
The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and the charge for a double room for one night is less than €60 (May 2025 prices).
We have chosen “Hortus” as one of the best restaurants in the city.
Hortus, part of San Francisco Monastery Hotel located on Avenida Pio XII is open daily from 1:30pm to 10:30pm (5:30pm Sunday). Breakfast is also offered.
The atmosphere is elegant, but not expensive.
Try the “acelgas escarragadas” (asparagus Chard with Poached Egg) in an atmosphere of ancient masonry softened and scented bougainvillea.
The vegetables all come from the restaurant’s own garden, and the dish will set you back a mere €12!
Palma’s music and theatre festival will take place between 30 June and 4th July. The event includes a production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
