POZOBLANCO
by Saskia Mier
Pozoblanco is the commercial and industrial centre of Pedroches Valley and its Semana Santa celebrations have been declared a Fiesta de Interés Turístico. The town has about 17,200 inhabitants.
HISTORY
It seems likely that the origins of Pozoblanco, like other nearby towns, were around the middle of the fourteenth century. It is believed that the first settlementwaslocated in what is now the Pozo Viejo neighbourhood, formed around a well of white kerbstone due to the custom of plastering and liming the curbs when they were made of brick, and not granite blocks, as was more common - this being the origin of the name of the town.
Pozoblanco depended administratively on Pedroche until around 1478, when it obtained the title of Villa, possibly from the hands of the Catholic Monarchs. In medieval times the history of Pozoblanco was linked to that of the Siete Villas de los Pedroches (seven villas of Pedroche) until 1836. Pozoblanco obtained the title of City from King Alfonso XIII in 1923.
During the Spanish Civil War, Pozoblanco was seriously affected, although it remained faithful to the Republicans throughout the war. The Battle of Pozoblanco took place in 1937, when the forces of General Queipo de Llano tried to conquer the town. The Republican resistance, nevertheless, frustrated this attempt and troops of the Popular Army under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Joaquín Pérez Salas managed to obtain an outstanding victory over the forces of the rebellious side. In 1939, Pozoblanco was conquered by the armies of General Franco.
There is one piece of more recent history which has brought other, quite different, fame to Pozoblanco among Spanish citizens. In 1984, during a bullfight in the village, Francisco Rivera Paquirri, one of the most well-known bullfighters of the time, was gored by a bull named Avispado, from Sayalero y Bandrés. Ruptured iliac, saphenous and femoral veins caused him to bleed to death while on the long journey to the capital's hospital.
THINGS TO SEE
Teatro El Silo
El Silo Theatre was inaugurated in 2006, the work of well-known architects José Luis Amor Trucios and Juan Salamanca Cabrera. The scenic infrastructure involved an investment of 3,483,233 euros and transformed an old grain store into a large theatre complex with capacity that exceeds 800 seats. A recital by, Joan Manuel Serrat inaugurated the hall. Located on Avenida el Silo.
Opening Times:
Monday-Friday, 10:00-13:00hrs.
Price: €1
Tel: 957 13 2204
Iglesia de Santa Catalina
The church was built in the sixteenth century but not completed until the nineteenth century, with the construction of a tower. It is the largest church in Pozoblanco. Look out for the striking storks' nests perched on the tower. Located in Plaza Iglesia.
Ayuntamiento
The Town Hall was inaugurated in 1890 and the last restoration took place in 1990, continuing the same architectural concept of the previous building, but harmoniously combining the area's two characteristic elements; stone and lime.The Municipal Tourism Office is located on the ground floor.
Opening Times:
Monday-Friday, 10:00-13:00hrs.
Tel: 957 13 2204
Casa de la Viga y Peña Flamenca
Casa de la Viga is a building built on the site that occupied the house traditionally considered the oldest in Pozoblanco. Its name is derived from the huge oak wood beam that supported the roof of the primitive house and which has been incorporated into the current construction. The ground floor has an area for temporary exhibitions and various activities. On the first floor, there is an exhibition dedicated to Marcos Redondo, a famous baritone from the town, born in 1893, where we can see many documents, memories and distinctions associated withthe eminent artist. The Peña Flamenca (Flamenco Fan Club) is housed on the first floor of the Casa del Pozo Viejo, a construction more than five hundred years old, rebuilt by the City Council in the early nineties. It holds the consolidated cycle called "Los Viernes Flamencos", as well as hosting jazz concerts and other musical performances. Located on Calle Romo.
Opening Times:
Monday-Friday, 10:00-13:00hrs.
Saturday, 11:00-12:00hrs.
Sunday, 10:00-11:00hrs.
Price: €1
Tel: 957 13 2204
Plaza de Toros
The bullring offers a full guided tour of the centennial Coso de Los Llanos, built in 1912, in which memorable events have taken place throughout its long history - including the death of Francisco Rivera Paquirri in 1984. A restoration took place in 2001, which greatly improved the aesthetics and functionality, turning it into a versatile arena capable of hosting activities and events, not only bullfighting. Located on Ronda de los Llanos.
Opening Times:
Monday-Friday, 10:00-13:00hrs.
Saturday and Sunday, 12:00-13:00hrs.
Price (General): €2
Price (Over-65, Students): €.50
Price (Group 20+): €1.50
Price (Children Under-8): FREE
Tel: 957 13 2204
TOURS
Pozoblanco offers a combination of tours for visitors: from exploring the olive groves, where hundreds of olives are collected and taken to the local oil mill, to vast hectares where Iberican pigs roam free, and a guided tour of the curing rooms where jamónes hang in their hundreds. Tel: 957 13 2204.
GOLF
Pozoblanco offers a truly unique golfing experience in the heart of Los Pedroches. Pozoblanco Golf Club was the first municipal (or public) course in Spain, which makes its rates exceptionally affordable. It has a very pleasant and easy layout, flat around most of the nine holes. Installations inside the clubhouse include changing rooms, showers, a shop, parking, a coffee shop, a restaurant, three artificial lakes and a putting green. Its irrigation of the tees, greens and fairways is carried out through a system based on water recycling which, together with meticulous maintenance work, ensures that Pozoblanco Golf Club satisfies even the most demanding players. Located south of Pozoblanco, off the CO-6411.
Prices on weekdays are around €20 per person and €25 on weekends.
Tel: 957 13 2204.
HANDICRAFTS
Local crafts still produced in Pozoblanco are wood carving, marble and stone work,and pottery.
GASTRONOMY
Apart from local cured meats and olive oil that are produced in Pozoblanco, visitors should try the caldo de higado (liver soup), gazpacho de higado (gazpacho of higado), pierna de cordero (leg of lamb, sometimes stuffed) and puré de Pozoblanco (pea puree with ham).
FESTIVALS
Cabalgata Reyes Magos
Three Kings procession celebrated on the evening of 5 January.
Romería de la Virgen de Luna
Celebrated in February.
Carnaval
Celebrated in February.
Semana Santa
Holy Week.
Fiesta de San Gregorio
Celebrated on 9 May.
San Isidro
Celebrated on 15 May.
Congreso Nacional del Cerdo Ibérico
Celebrated in June.
San Juan
Celebrated on 25 June.
Slow Music Festival
Music festival celebrated at the end of June.
Feria Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes
Celebrated the last week of September.
Feria de Toro y Caballo
Bull and Horse Festival celebrated the last week of September.
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Pozoblancoare Pedroche, Añora, Alcaracejos and Villanueva de Córdoba.
