Lora del Río, a stately town on the banks of the Guadalquivir River
Come and explore a town marked by its medieval past. Discover Lora del Río, founded by the Knights of the Order of Malta, to whom the people of Lora del Río owe their devotion to Our Lady of Setefilla, the patron saint. The local pilgrimage, which takes place every September, is the third largest in Andalusia. Many convents, monasteries, churches and noble palaces remain as a legacy of this Order. This rich heritage –which spans several towns in the province of Seville– is on the Route of the Knights of the Order of Malta.
Immerse yourself in the daily life of this beautiful stately town on the banks of the River Guadalquivir and enjoy its unique location. Breathe in the fresh air of the pastures where the most famous bulls in the world, from the Miura ranch, are bred. Admire the handcrafted pottery and hydraulic mosaics made by the exceptional tile makers known as loseteros. Lastly, enjoy the cuisine made with the local extra virgin olive oil.
Experience Lora del Río, a town with an illustrious history and deep-rooted customs. A stately town on the banks of the River Guadalquivir.
Getting to Lora del Río
If you arrive from Seville by car, take the A-4 to Córdoba and then exit 506 to join the A-457.
You can take the number 21 bus from Plaza de Armas (Seville). However, if travelling by public transport, the most convenient way is by train. Lora del Río has a train station with long and medium distance rail services. Take the C-1 from Santa Justa station.
Getting around
Stroll through its streets to enjoy a town brimming with history.
Reasons to visit
- Visit the convents, monasteries, palaces and churches in Lora del Rio, along the Route of the Knights of the Order of Malta.
- Climb up to the Shrine to Our Lady of Setefilla, patron saint of Lora, and find out more about her legend. If you go in September, don’t miss the third-largest pilgrimage in Andalusia.
- Be bold and get a first-hand look at the world’s most famous fighting bulls, the Miura, on Zahariche ranch.
- In November, the bars and restaurants in Lora del Río revisit the past and serve traditional dishes as part of the Medieval Aromas culinary route.
- Step into the shoes of a potter for a day at the family-owned Monje workshop and make your own pottery.
- Visit the impressive building of the Mercado de Abastos, designed by Aníbal González, the architect that also built Seville’s Plaza de España.
- Enjoy the ‘Aquí hay migas’ competition in January, and try this traditional dish for free on San Sebastián’s Day.
- Spend a day surrounded by nature, have a picnic at Dehesa Matallana and enjoy a fun day at the adventure park.
- Lora del Río’s Holy Week is a living museum. Hop between bars to enjoy the ‘Con gusto Cofrade’ gastronomic route where salt cod is the star product.
What to see
Start your tour through Lora del Río from the Plaza de España, known to the locals as ‘the clock square’. You will find here the Town Hall, an attractive 18th-century building with a clock tower from which the square gets its colloquial name. Just a minute’s walk away is the Bailío Palace, where the town’s governor once lived. Today, it is home to the Casa de la Cultura. However, it still maintains its elegance, original tiles, courtyard garden and granary.
In front of the palace is the Mercado de Abastos, where you can admire its splendid architecture and buy quality fresh produce. This market was built by Aníbal González, who also designed Seville’s impressive Plaza de España and some other spaces for the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition. About 200 metres on is another majestic Baroque palace, the Casa de las Columnas. It now houses the Museum of Sacred Art dedicated to the patron saint, Our Lady of Setefilla. It is also the seat of her Confraternity, locally known as the Casa de la Virgen.
You are now on Lora del Río’s Calle Luis Montoto y González de la Hoyuela, or ‘la Roda’ as this history-packed street is usually called by the locals. Las Mercedarias Convent, home to several valuable paintings and goldsmith’ and silversmith’ wares. Continue through the town’s historic streets and discover more baroque treasures, including the Casa de Los Leones and Nuestro Padre Jesús Church.
Find your way to of its most picturesque corners, Plaza de Setefilla. Sit on a Sevillian tile bench and admire this beautiful square. Take in the medieval Asunción Church, built over a former mosque, whose tower is now the town’s emblem. The Gothic goldsmithing displayed inside is of significant heritage value, as is its Mudejar architecture.
If you are a bookworm, visit the beautiful Municipal Library that is bound to impress you with its rich history and fascinating architecture. This building used to be the Shrine to Santa Ana. It was restituted to public property following the confiscation ordered by Mendizábal. You will love its medieval architecture, or to be precise Gothic-Mudejar. It is the perfect place to read a good book and let your imagination fly.
Visit the Shrine to Our Lady of Setefilla, in the namesake district, to learn about the origin of Lora del Río’s history. The remains of the Arab Castle, which following the Christian conquest were given to the Order of Malta, stands here. The devotion to this image, today the patron saint of the town, was introduced by this medieval lordship. The 13 metres tall ancient Algarrobo de la Virgen tree has been standing here for about 500 years old.
Lastly, enjoy a picnic at Dehesa Matallana which has a barbecue area and an outdoor adventure park, all surrounded by nature.
Places to visit
- Town Hall and Plaza de España
- Casa de las Columnas - Casa museo de la Virgen
- Casa de los Leones
- Limpia Concepción de Nuestra Señora Convent
- Shrine to Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno and San Sebastián
- Plaza and Shrine to Santa Ana, now a library
- Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Parish Church
- Mercado de Abastos and Plaza de Andalucía
- Sanctuary of Virgen de Setefilla and the 500-year old carob tree
- Bailío Palace
- Remains of the castle and Roman bridge (River Churre)
- Dehesa de Matallana
- José Torán Reservoir
- El Priorato (picturesque district)
- Order of Malta Route Interpretation Centre at Bailío Palace
- Alameda del Río
- Ramón y Cajal Building
Surroundings
Lora del Río is 59 kilometres from Seville, in the Vega del Guadalquivir region. Lora del Río boasts different landscapes: the Sierra to the north, Vega in the centre, and La Campiña, in the south. The town is bordered to the east by the province of Córdoba.
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