Archidona, Spain

In the very centre of Andalucia you will find the rural town of Archidona.  Set  amongst olive groves of the Sierra de Gracia, with amazing views of the surrounding countryside.  Archidona once had an impenetrable Moorish Castle and was designated a historico-artistic site in 1980 for baroque, urban and architectural heritage.  At the centre of Archidona is the Plaza Ochavada a stunning baroque style square built around 1786, the heart of the village and a great place to grab a coffee and watch to world go by.

A visit to the Convent of the Monjas Minimas de San Francisco de Paula is a step back in time.  Visitors can buy biscuits baked by the nuns, but are forbidden to see these holy bakers who live in solitude.  When you arrive at the convent you can pull to chain to ring the bell and wait for to deliver your order.  Chaos and Mayhem were excited to talk to the nuns behind a wooden turnstile and chose delicious almond cookies.  We watched the money disappear and be replaced by a box of cookies and some books for the children.

Archidona is a great place to explore, wander around the streets and marvel at the architecture.  The town hosts one of Spain’s major dog shows the ‘Feria del Perro’ this annual event attracts large crowds.  The views from the castle ruins and walls are superb, endless olive groves and a fantastic panoramic view of the lovers rock mountain of Antequera.

Click the camera icon below to see what other awesome bloggers have been photographing this week

.