El Tarajal combines a 19th-century settlement with a surrounding landscape where the river and fortifications are prominent landmarks. This is particularly clear at Torre de Barcas, at the confluence of the Salado and Zagrilla rivers. Here, you can explore local history, architecture and landscape together: the building’s precise location and the names of the two rivers provide concrete reference points for the area.

History and Torre de Barcas

El Tarajal developed into an urban settlement in the 19th century. A traditional washhouse is also one of the local features. Torre de Barcas lies between El Tarajal and the adjacent scattered settlement, in the northern part of the municipality of Priego de Córdoba and beside the road to Luque. At the confluence of the Salado and Zagrilla rivers stands a small walled complex built of mortared rubble masonry. It includes a square, two-storey tower, also built of masonry. Rubble masonry consists of irregularly broken stones joined with mortar. Torre de Barcas is designated a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC), a property of cultural interest.

River Landscape and Historical Context

Las Cabezuelas del Tarajal lies at the same confluence and is also known as Cerro del Camino del Tarajal. It is one of the three major settlements in the municipality of Priego de Córdoba. The fortification there may date to the Late Bronze Age, perhaps the 6th century BC; its dating is therefore uncertain. This is a different kind of historical designation from Torre de Barcas’s BIC status: in the case of Las Cabezuelas, it is a possible chronological interpretation, while Torre has designated cultural heritage status. The place name El Tarajal refers to the abundance of tamarisks, a shrub characteristic of the surrounding soils. At Arroyo Salado near El Tarajal, the stream passes through a narrow gorge over a short stretch. All the Jurassic and Cretaceous cycles can be observed there. The landscape thus brings together a plant-related place name, waterways and geological periods.

Circular Walk and Accommodation

A nearby circular walk also bears El Tarajal’s name: “El Tarajal, Río Salado y Torres.” It is 8.66 km long, with 260 m of ascent and 260 m of descent, and is rated easy. The recorded walk dates from September 2020. Its first section runs through the gorge formed by the Río Salado near the hamlet of El Tarajal. Check local conditions before setting out. The distance and elevation gain describe the scale of the route, while the rating provides a separate guide to its difficulty.

Hacienda El Tarajal is a rural accommodation at Carretera de Priego CO-7207, Kilometer 1, El Tarajal 4, 14814 Priego de Córdoba. It is surrounded by olive groves in the heart of the Las Subbéticas UNESCO Global Geopark.

Discover more destinations: La Rambla, Fuente Tójar, Peñarroya-Pueblonuevo, El Cerezo, Cañete De Las Torres, El Viso, Zuheros, Torrecampo

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