CONQUISTA
by Saskia Mier
Conquista still maintains a wonderful tradition of local shepherds decorating their leather bags with the so-called talla de tablillas, which are drawings of flowers and geometric shapes. The town has about 420 inhabitants.
HISTORY
A reference from Carbonell dating to 1923 relates the discovery in La Gavia of a flint mine from which the product was extracted for tinder lighters. Carbonell managed to rescue one that today is conserved in the Archaeological Museum of Córdoba, and that by its characteristics dates to the beginning of the Metal Age to the Chalcolithic. It is therefore suggested that Conquista's origin dates to this specific era.
The Romans mined copper and lead in the area of Conquista, with indications of a road passing through the village from Córdoba, which must have been a trade route. There are no signs of any population during the medieval centuries in this area. In 1243, Fernando III granted Pedroche to the Council of Córdoba, which included the village of Conquista.
Conquista's foundation is connected to the importance of the Camino de la Plata, which links the former capital of the Caliphate with the Meseta and Madrid. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries this route registered intense traffic of travellers and merchandise. From the middle of the sixteenth century the need arose to erect population nuclei in the cited route, due to the insecurity of the area, where numerous robberies and assaults were committed. At the beginning of 1575 the Council of Córdoba sponsored and financed the creation of a town.
From a social point of view, the effects of the great crises that developed in the province, such as that of 1905, are notorious, although given its key agrarian component this was combated by increasing the supply of labour in the mine and the Peñarroya-Conquista railway line. Finally, Conquista would be, during the Civil War, the last town in the province to fall into the hands of Franco's troops.
THINGS TO SEE
Parroquia de Santa Ana
The church dates to the second half of the sixteenth century and the first decades of the next; however, it later burnt down during the Civil War and was demolished in 1954, with the current chapel being built and its works completed in 1960. The works project was carried out by the diocesan architect Carlos Sáenz de Santamaría. Nothing remained of the trousseau after looting and fire during the Civil War. The chapel has been visited by important personalities such as Santa Teresa de Jesús. Located on Calle Nueva.
Albergue Posada Camino de la Plata
A former Civil Guard Barracks House until the early 1990s which has been renovated and conditioned to become what is now the Hostal. It has 28 rooms, a restaurant bar and a terrace with unique views of the town, and is equipped with everything necessary to provide a pleasant stay for all travellers. Located on Calle Nueva.
Portadas de Granito
Many of the whitewashed façades have granite portals, seen primarily in the main square and Calle Iglesia. The Casa de las Postas and Casa de Torrico constitute one of the best examples of ancient popular architecture.
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE
Ermita de San Gregorio
The chapel was built in the seventeenth century and was declared a monument of local interest. It has a beautiful view of the village and the surrounding countryside. The chapel is where the annual pilgrimage is held. Located about four kilometres north of Conquista, off the Camino de la Posada del Pastor.
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
Conquista is surrounded by oak pastures where visitors can enjoy hiking trails through the mountains of Los Pedroches.
HANDICRAFTS
The traditional craft still produced in the town today is wood-carving.
GASTRONOMY
When visiting Conquista, try the local dishes served in almost all of the bars and restaurants such as: liebre al rustido (roast hare), perdiz en salmorejo (partridge with cold tomato and garlic soup), morcilla zanga con cebolla (black pudding with onion) and arroz con liebre (hare with rice) Sweet treats include perrunas and pelusos (torts made with aniseed).
FESTIVALS
Cabalgata Reyes Magos
Three Kings procession celebrated on the evening of 5 January.
Fiesta de la Candelaria
Celebrated on 2 February.
Carnaval
Celebrated in February.
Semana Santa
Holy Week.
Fiesta en Honor a San Gregorio
Celebrated the first weekend of May.
Feria y Fiestas en Honor a Santa Ana
Celebrated the last week of July.
Fiesta el Emigrante
Celebrated on 15 August.
NEARBY AREAS
The neighbouring villages to Conquista are Torrecampo, Villanueva de Córdoba and Cardeña.