How to get there
You will be able to reach our town by coach, train, or by car. Check the timetables or if you prefer the road map that is offered in this section.

Timetables (train and coach) and road map.

HISTORIA
Welcome to Montilla, 'heart of Andalusia, land known by everyone and the place where the best wine in Spain is grown', as the popular song goes. Montilla offers its visitor the possibility of discovering a town marked by a history which goes back to a prehistoric period, as confirmed by the remains found and displayed in the local History Museum.

However, it was not until the Roman period that this town of exquisite wines acquired the name of Munda, with which it has been identified by many scholars.

Montilla stills maintains the remains of the impressive fortress which was the castle where Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba (the 'Gran Capitan') was born. However the year 1508 was a tragic year in the history of Montilla. The castle was demolished by order of King Fernando 'El Catolico' in order to punish the daring of Don Pedro Fernández de Córdoba, and to set an example of his power to the Andalusian nobility.

It was during this period that Montilla reached its monumental splendour. For example, the Convent of Santa Clara was built in the sixteenth century, the artistic jewel of the town.

Such distinguished figures as San Juan de Avila, whose sixteenth century house is preserved intact, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, El Gran Capitan, or Cervantes have lived or spent a long time in this town.

Numerous churches are sprinkled around the city, among which stand out the sixteenth century Iglesia de Santiago and Iglesia de San Sebastian.

FIESTAS AND TRADITIONS
Throughout the year a series of activities are organised on the following dates:

At Christmas and 'Reyes Magos' (Three Wise Men. 7th January) various celebrations are held. The Christmas lighting throughout the town is inaugurated, Christmas carols are sung and the evening of the 6th January sees the procession of the Three Wise Men.

At Carnival time activities such as a bill poster competition, the competition of carnival associations and lively marches and dances are organized.

Holy Week in Montilla includes traditional ceremonies, such as El Prendimiento (The Capture), Jueves Santo (Holy Thursday) or the processional march of Viernes Santo (Holy Friday) amongst others including the dramatic representation of La Pasión (The Passion).

The Feria de la Cruz takes place in the month of May in the popular neighbourhood of 'Barrio de la Cruz' in Montilla. The atmosphere of the fair is normally very lively. At night the same stalls of the fair take on a more night-time atmosphere.

The Feria del Santo is the main fair in Montilla. It is celebrated about mid-July coinciding with the festivity of Our Patron Saint Francisco Solano, on the 14th of July. This fair takes place at the entrance to Montilla and has numerous stalls and is widely enjoyed by young people. There is good atmosphere for all tastes.

The Fiesta de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest) is a fiesta declared as one of National Tourist Interest with the intention of promoting both the local economy and tourism. Its celebration takes place in the neighbourhood of El Gran Capitan on the first weekend of September and the ensuing Monday. In this celebration grapes are trod on as in the days of old. At the same time the tasks of picking, grinding and pressing are initiated and the first bunches of grapes and the first must are given as an offering to the Virgen de la Viñas (Virgin of the Vineyards), patron saint of the guild.

The Feria del Vino de Andalucia (Wine Fair of Andalusia) is celebrated in the second fortnight of October. It is a multi-sectional fair which revives the spirit of the exhibitions of craftsmanship which were celebrated forty years ago in Montilla. Apart from the various stands related to the world of wine, the visitor can taste the excellent wines from the Montilla itself.