BOBASTRO
From the site of the "church" at Bobastro there are fabulous views of the surrounding countryside. It is located in an area known as Las Mesas de Villaverde between the hills of Tintilla, Castillón and Encantada.
The once fortified village was the headquarters of Umar ibn Hafsun. Allegedly, he converted from Islam to Christianity and led a revolt
against the Caliphal of Cordoba between 879 and 918 AD.
At some time early in the tenth century he
ordered the building of a church,
which was carved directly out of the rock.
.
It is orientated due East and measures about 16.5 metres long and 10.3 metres wide.
The ruins, which are about 550 meters from the road, have recently had there access improved and additional parking provided together with new information boards. . Despite the efforts to promote the site for tourism few people visit and, you get a tremendous sense of atmosphere when you sit atop the structure contemplating the surrounds.
The famous Gran Recorrido G7 footpath, which runs through Spain and ends in Malta, passes close to the ruins.If you wish you can continue up the hill and then descend on part of the G7 route from the top dam to the lower dam close to El Chorro station. The route from the upper dam is described on the website walkinginandalucia.com "Two dams and some ruins".