Orce: museum, sites, citadel and Fuencaliente

Orce combines research on the first settlers, urban heritage and the surroundings of the Fuencaliente spring. To prepare the visit, distinguish the museum, the sites and the monuments of the town: they require different accesses and consultations. A scientific excavation is not necessarily an open tourist site without reservation.

What to choose for a first visit

The municipal portal identifies the First Settlers of Europe Museum as the Josep Gibert Center. Its pages also include the citadel, the Segura Palace, Santa María, Fuencaliente and the center of Cerro de la Virgen.

What the deposits contribute to research

The University of Granada, in its publication of June 27, 2025, describes three main spaces of the project: Venta Micena 4, Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3. They do not all have the same chronology or the same type of evidence.

According to that publication, Venta Micena 4 allows the study of large mammals from approximately 1.5 million years ago; Barranco León dates back to 1.4 million and contains stone tools; Fuente Nueva 3, at 1.2 million, provides information on the relationships between humans and carnivores.

The UGR Educational Program explains the human presence 1.4 million years ago based on a tooth found in Barranco León. Together with the stone tools, these remains help to interpret the life of the first settlers and to distinguish human evidence from fossil fauna.

In a publication from April 2026, the UGR explains a study of the mortality patterns of the fauna of Orce. He distinguishes the contexts of Venta Micena and those of Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3, and points out that the interpretations remain open to new findings.

To visit a site, check the date, the access allowed and the conditions of the visit with Tourism. Organize the movement and meeting before leaving for an excavation area.

First Settlers Museum: check before traveling

The Granada Geopark identifies the First Settlers of Europe Museum as the Josep Gibert Center. Its exhibition interprets the landscape, fauna and research of Venta Micena, Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3. The sheet describes guided tours for groups and schoolchildren: check the modality you need.

The brochure of the network of Geopark centers, published in 2019, places the Josep Gibert Center on Camino San Simón, s/n. The Geopark file offers its location on the map. For its part, the registry of the Board for the Museum of Prehistory and Paleontology includes Castillo-Alcazaba de las Siete Torres, calle las Tiendas. When consulting the visit, indicate the name of the exhibition and confirm its location.

The City Hall page announces the following schedules for the Josep Gibert Center. Confirm the opening for your date, the address, the rate and if you need a reservation; If you visit multiple resources, ask for each entry separately.

Tourism Contact: 958 746 171 and oficinadeturismo@orce.es. Indicate the day, the number of people and your mobility needs when preparing the visit.

Visit Barranco León, Fuente Nueva and Venta Micena

To visit Barranco León, Fuente Nueva or Venta Micena, request a visit to the chosen site from Tourism. Agree on date, duration, price, number of participants, meeting point, transportation and cancellation conditions.

If you combine museum and sites, ask for the confirmation to detail both routes and their meeting points. Count the trips to each venue and the return to the town.

Respect the perimeters and instructions of the staff. Do not collect fossils, worked stones or remains, and avoid entering research areas or private properties on your own. Bring water and protection according to the weather and confirm the access conditions before leaving town.

Alcazaba, Palacio de los Segura and church of Santa María

According to the Provincial Tourist Board, the construction of the citadel began at the beginning of the 11th century and was reinforced with the Torre del Homenaje around 1325. After 1492 it received new renovations. The monument is on Calle Castillo, s/n; From the outside you can see the volumes of the towers and walls.

The City Hall refers to the Tourist Office for visits to the citadel outside of August. Check the interior opening, visitable spaces and exhibitions before including it in the itinerary.

Ask about stairs and access conditions if you need them. You can organize the walk outside while adjusting the time of entry to the premises.

The Palacio de los Segura and the Church of Santa María are other resources identified on the municipal portal. Check the current use of the palace and the opening of the church; Ask what spaces you can visit, what exhibition there is and if each ticket is booked separately.

In the temples, adapt the visit to the acts of worship and the instructions on photographs. For a step-free route or a group with specific needs, ask for information about each building separately.

Cerro de la Virgen and Fuencaliente

The Geopark describes the Cerro de la Virgen de la Cabeza Interpretation Center as the farmhouse-cave linked to the director of the excavations at the end of the sixties. Its contents deal with research and the social context of that time. The municipal website identifies it as a differentiated visit to paleontological sites.

For the center of Cerro de la Virgen, City Hall and Geopark publish Saturdays, 12:00–2:00 p.m. and 4:00–6:00 p.m., and Sundays, 12:00–2:00 p.m., from September 1 to July 31; in August, every day, 12:00–14:00 and 17:00–19:00. Confirm the opening and ask if the visit to the site is organized separately.

The Fuencaliente de Orce spring can be another stop. If you want to swim, check beforehand about the opening, the rules of use, the water conditions and the available surveillance services.

Save the location of the Orce spring, prepare the transfer and check the available services. Bring drinking water for departure.

How to organize the day

Start with the museum if you have confirmed its location and hours, and then reserve time for the urban heritage. If your priority is the sites, organize the day around the appointment and the agreed trips.

If you add Cerro de la Virgen or Fuencaliente, calculate each transfer and the return. For a short visit, prioritize the museum and urban heritage, or dedicate the plan to the sites with their agreed visit.

Confirm food and accommodation with the establishment, including menu, dietary needs, price and availability. Choose the property based on your tour of Orce and confirm if it is open and accepting reservations on your travel date.

Prepare for arrival and return

Calculate the itinerary to Orce and then to the chosen resort. Save the exact location of the museum or meeting point before leaving. In public transport, confirm operator, stop, service for your date and return. Check the last return and how to complete the journey from the stop to the meeting point.

To consult the visit, use the Tourist Office contact information published by the City Council. Indicate day, number of people and resources you want to see to confirm venue, meeting, opening and travel.