Orce

The municipality is located on a small hill between two ravines that descend from the Sierra de Periate. One of the most important paleontological sites in Europe and Asia is in Orce. Here, evidence of human presence from one million four thousand years ago has been discovered.

The archaeological site of Cerro de la Virgen is located here, a village that is over two thousand years old. Here three phases of the Neolithic layers have been found, together with Romans, Visigoth and Arab ruins.

Interesting buildings include the Alcazaba de las Siete Torres, from the 11^th century and an official National Monument since 1973; the Iglesia de Santa Maria; the Palacio de Belmonte and the Palacio de los Segura, which houses the town’s archaeological museum.

The spring Fuencaliente is located just 2 kilometres from town. The temperature of the waters is between 18°C and 20°C throughout the year. In the Cerro de la Virgen, just three kilometres from the town, there is a walled town and burial grounds used between 2500 BC and the mid-17^th century.

The archaeological sites prove that there were human settlements here over one million four hundred thousand years ago. The origin of Orce dates back to the Roman period when it was a military camp on the road that connected Castulo with the eastern part of the province.

In the Arab era, from the 7^th century onwards, Orce belonged to Tudmir. It was then called Urs and had a large military presence. In 1320 it became part of the Kingdom of Granada and in the middle of the 15^th century was conquered by Rodrigo Manrique. Ten years later it was conquered by Muhammad X, until in 1488 fell into the hands of the Catholic Monarchs who later gave it to Enrique Enriquez.

Most local dishes are prepared with pork meat. The homemade sausages and ham, pork loin, chorizo and local black pudding are delicious. The Cordero segureño is also worth trying.

Local pastries, especially the almond pastries are excellent.