Villa Del Río: Roman Bridge, Museums and History

Villa Del Río brings together Roman architectural heritage, museums, religious traditions and a landscape of river floodplain, uplands and Campiña countryside. These different highlights can help guide your trip planning: Would you like to explore historic buildings, focus on art and local history, or include activities on the river? You can also plan your journey using the available transport connections.

The Puente Romano and its history

The Puente Romano de Villa del Río is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. It dates from the High Imperial period, or the Augustan period, and spans the Salado de Porcuna on the boundary between the provinces of Córdoba and Jaén. Historically, the bridge stood on the Via Augusta between Castulo and Corduba; later, it became part of the Caliphate’s road network. Several chapters of transport and regional history thus come together at this structure.

The bridge is also a prominent landmark for cycling visitors: municipal information dated 29 May 2025 describes the Circuito Cicloturista BTT del Alto Guadalquivir, with 95 signposted kilometres homologated as Bike Territory. The circuit comprises eight signposted and mapped stages, passes through Villa del Río and comes within about 100 metres of the Puente Romano. As route details can change, check the latest information before setting out.

Museums, art and local history

The Museo Histórico Municipal has permanent exhibition rooms dedicated to Pedro Bueno, Blas Moyano and Ginés Liébana, as well as the Beppo-Abdul room and an archaeological room. This brings together different ways of exploring local history and art under one roof. The Casa Museo y Centro Creativo Cultural Pintor Pedro Bueno complements this focus: it is housed in the artist’s former home and permanently exhibits part of his work.

The Museo Matías Prats is dedicated to broadcaster Matías Prats Cañete and is located in the covered sports pavilion that bears his name. The topics presented include sports and bullfighting broadcasts; exhibits also include awards such as four Ondas Awards, photographs, books, articles and journalistic reports. As part of a private initiative, Francisco Laguna assembled an extensive archive about Manolete.

Sacred buildings and special places

The Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepción was built in 1907 in the Neo-Historicist style. The Ermita de San Roque, now the Ermita de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, represents a different architectural period: the Neoclassical chapel is located on Calle Alta and was built before the 17th century. When exploring the town’s architectural history, you can consider these religious buildings alongside secular structures.

Today’s Casa Consistorial is housed in a restored former Arab castle dating from the 11th century and was inaugurated as the town hall from 1986. The Aceñas Árabes, former Arab grain mills, also stand on the Guadalquivir. Made of red Molinaza stone, they are rounded in shape to withstand the force of the current. These sites highlight historic use and construction methods without reducing the buildings to the same period or function.

August tradition and riverside landscape

The traditional Rosario de la Aurora takes place in Villa del Río on five Sundays in August. The procession goes from the Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepción to the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Estrella Coronada. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the dates for the relevant year.

The municipality brings together river floodplain, uplands and Campiña countryside. Fishing and kayaking are possible leisure activities on the Guadalquivir; check locally whether they are available at the time of your visit. The landscape and cultural attractions thus offer different ways to shape your stay.

Plan your journey and stay

The A-4 motorway runs through the municipality of Villa del Río. Two junctions provide access to and from the area. Access to the platforms is available at Villa del Río railway station; check the latest station information before travelling. When choosing a hotel, you can tailor your stay to the themes that matter to you—for example, the Roman bridge, the museums or the August event. Be sure to check specific dates and current route information separately when planning.

Discover more destinations: Hornachuelos, Montemayor, Villaharta, La Jara, Huertas Bajas de Cabra, El Cerezo, El Tarajal, Torrecampo

For the broader travel overview: Cordoba.