Baena, Ancient municipality in Córdoba Province, Spain
Baena is a municipality in Córdoba Province with whitewashed buildings spread across hillsides connected by narrow winding streets. The old town sits at about 405 meters elevation, positioned between two different landscape zones with newer areas expanding below.
The place has roots in ancient times, shown by Roman burial urns with inscriptions discovered in the 1800s. Later it became caught up in medieval conflicts between regional powers, including a failed military attempt to take it over in the late 1200s.
The olive oil museum tells the story of how local people have produced oil for generations and how their methods have changed over time. Agriculture remains deeply connected to daily life here.
The best way to start exploring is from the main central plaza where the tourist office is located, from which the narrow historic streets branch out. Walking routes can be steep and twisting, so comfortable shoes and extra time are helpful for getting around.
The town's coat of arms displays five Moorish heads, a reminder of when an invading force tried and failed to capture it in medieval times. These symbolic figures are an unusual feature in local heraldry and tell an uncommon story of holding out against attack.
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