Magical places to visit to see the stars in CórdobaCORDOVA
Córdoba is considered as one of the best places in the world to gaze at the starsas demonstrated by the certification of Starlight Reserve that their areas of Los Pedroches and Sierra Morena have received. Thousands of people can enjoy astronomy in these places in the province of Cordoba thanks to their little light pollution and to continuous care of specialized infrastructures. If you are looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and the rush of everyday life, these places in Cordoba will allow you to live a unique experience.
What are Starlight reserves?
To recognize ideal stargazing locations, the Starlight Foundation names the best spaces from around the world that meet its requirements and characteristics, giving them the Starlight Reserve certificate and converting them into protected natural spaces. In these reserves, favorable conditions for natural lighting and clarity of the night sky must be kept intact. Of the 19 Starlight reserves that exist around the world, three of them are located in Andalusia and two of them in Córdoba.
What is star tourism or astrotourism?
He star tourism seeks to explore the star nature through places like Starlight reserves. In this practice, tourists move through different spaces following the routes and itineraries that interest them most. For example, the Provincial Tourism Board of the Provincial Council of Córdoba proposes an astronomical guide to the Starlight Reserves of Córdoba available to all travelers.
Starlight Space.
The best places to see the stars in Córdoba
Córdoba is a city that stands out for its favorable conditions for astronomy lovers. In fact, there are wonderful enclaves in the province that allow you to observe the stars throughout the year. If you are willing to get to know them, these seven towns in Cordoba are waiting for you.
Conquest (Los Pedroches)
This town is, without a doubt, one of the best places to see the stars in the area, with large oak forests that make the experience something unique and surrounded by nature. In this municipality, the best observation pointIt is the hermitage of San Gregoriolocated out of town, specifically in the Navagrande place. To get there, just drive from the town for ten minutes along the Camino de Posada del Pastor.
Several Perseids in the sky.
Villaralto (Los Pedroches)
If we continue through this area of the province, all eyes are on Villaraltoa quiet town with narrow streets and whose plains They are a magical place to sit and contemplate the sky. He Divina Pastora area is a perfect enclave for this. To get to it you have to travel about five kilometers from the municipality through the A-328 and in the direction of hermitage of the Divine Shepherdess and to La Colada reservoir. Once there, you will be able to see a esplanade which has stands to enjoy the experience in the most comfortable way possible.
Starlight experience.
Pozoblanco (Los Pedroches)
To finish the Pedrocheña route we move to Pozoblanco, a municipality that has a lot to offer… also in its sky. This is quite an attraction for visitors to the town, a magic space to contemplate the stars, to the point that it is included in most astronomical routes in the province.
Among the best points, the Hermitage of the Virgin of Luna, a spacious and easily accessible place. It is at Half way of Pozoblanco and Villanueva de Córdoba. The route to reach it is 20 minutes by car by A-424. In her Astronomy School carries out its workshops and informative sessions.
Traces of Perseids.
Villanueva del Duque (Los Pedroches)
We now move to Villanueva del Duquea town with long mining tradition and that has one of the best stargazing points: the Soldier Mines. They are a key place for the history of the municipality and for the astronomical tourism.
To get to this bewitching place you must start from the Villanueva del Duque highway indirection to The soldierfinally reaching the ancient andstation which today is completely restored. Once in it, you have to surround the old mines and get to the current Green Way. Finally, you will find a huge esplanade where you can place your telescope and where to spend an unforgettable night.
Starlight of Villanueva del Duque.
Villaharta (Sierra Morena)
Both to see the stars and to start walking routes through Sierra Morena, Villaharta It is a perfect place. One kilometer from the town are located the Las Serranas picnic areaswhich have a parking with the necessary amenities for the practice of astronomy. They also have a covered area.
Hornachuelos (Sierra Morena)
If you are looking for a night of stars surrounded by nature in its purest state, Hornachuelos Is waiting for you. He Hornachuelos Natural Park, distributed over 59 kilometers, offers numerous areas in which to observe the sky. One of the obligatory stops is the kilometer 41 of the A-3151 highway (address hermitage of San Calixto). It is a path that crosses the Natural Park and is an ideal place to contemplate the stars. The hermitage of San Abundio is also a very nice alternative space.
The Perseids in the sky of Sierra Morena.
Espiel (Sierra Morena)
Another town in Córdoba that does not go unnoticed in the eyes of any traveler is Espiel. Much of the tourism that visits this town does so with the intention of undertake routes throughout its territory. Despite this, star tourism is gaining importance in the list of Espeleña activities, and one of its best-known places is the Llanos, located to some three kilometers from the town, through the old town N-502.
Perseids in the sky.
