Marco Topo in Estepa

Discover Estepa by playing

Estepa, in the heart of Andalusia, is much more than its famous Christmas sweets and traditions. With Marco Topo’s interactive game, families with children can discover its remarkable historical, artistic and natural heritage in a fun and participatory way. This educational treasure hunt includes two complementary routes: one through the town centre and another around Cerro de San Cristóbal, the historical origin of the town. Along the way players solve challenges, meet historical figures and explore surprising places. The adventure begins in Plaza del Carmen, a historic and attractive square where children learn about the past of the Carmen Brotherhood and discover local traditions such as the figure of the aguaor, or water seller. From here the route enters the Church of Carmen, a beautiful example of Andalusian Baroque architecture with a two-colour marble façade and an image of the Virgin of Carmen donated by local nobility. The route continues through the Coracha district, created after the Christian conquest of Antequera. In Plaza Poley, the heart of the neighbourhood, stands the Chapel of Santa Ana, while nearby Plaza del Aire has a picturesque chapel built on an old tower and dedicated to the Virgin of Buen Aire. The game asks players to identify these places and understand their role in everyday town life. In the centre of Estepa, the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, linked to the Sisters of the Cross and Saint Angela of the Cross, stands out for its Neo-Gothic style and details such as bunches of grapes on the façade. The impressive 40-metre Victory Tower recalls the former convent of the Minim Friars and is linked to stories including that of the local heroine known as La Torralba, who confronted French troops during the Napoleonic invasion. The route continues at the Padre Martín Recio Archaeological Museum, where children can discover marine fossils from the ancient Tethys Sea, Roman sculptures such as a representation of the god of sleep, and amphorae that reveal Estepa’s olive-oil industry in Roman Baetica. Other key stops are the Church of San Sebastián, with its Renaissance doorway and origins connected to the Marquises of Estepa, and the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, a Baroque gem built over an older chapel and preserving wall paintings and a hexagonal shrine devoted to the Virgin. Nearby stands the grand Palace of the Marquis of Cerverales, the town’s most important civil building, with Solomonic columns, decorated balconies and noble coats of arms. The Churreteros district is home to the Church of Los Remedios, headquarters of important Holy Week brotherhoods. Its modest exterior contrasts with a richly decorated interior, especially the octagonal shrine of the Virgin. From here the route reaches Plaza del Llanete, with its spring-fed fountain and former grain store, and finally the Roya Spring, surrounded by nature, with watering troughs and a chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph the Worker, a popular pilgrimage destination. The second game route takes families to Cerro de San Cristóbal, the original centre of Estepa. Here stands the Ochavada Tower, a surviving element of the Muslim medina of Istabba, and Plaza de la Villa, recalling the long occupation of this strategic hill by Tartessians, Romans, Muslims and Christians. Nearby, the Church of Santa María la Mayor rises over the former mosque and preserves elements such as horseshoe arches and a fortified-looking tower. Estepa’s Alcázar, a former Muslim fortress, preserves its bent entrance, parade ground with an old animal-powered mill, wine cellars with large jars and sections of original walls. Close by, the Tartessian Estepa Interpretation Centre displays finds from the 7th and 8th centuries BC, including decorated ceramics and objects from Tartessian culture. The impressive 15th-century Keep, built by the Order of Santiago, displays the coat of arms of its grand master and introduces the symbolism of the order. From the Balcony of Andalusia there are panoramic views over the town and its historical development, helping visitors understand how Estepa ceased to be a frontier town in the 16th century and became the town known today. The route is completed by the surviving 10th-century Islamic walls and two important convents: Santa Clara, where the Poor Clares are traditionally associated with the first Estepa mantecados in the 17th century, and San Francisco, linked to the Marquises of Estepa and Saint Christopher. To finish, Francisco Ayala Park offers a natural space for watching birds, butterflies and pine trees and enjoying the surroundings as a family. With Marco Topo, visiting Estepa becomes an unforgettable family experience. History, art, legends, nature and tradition come together in a route designed to help visitors enjoy, learn and experience the town from within.