If you love mushrooms, truffles and nature with a scientific twist, there’s a lesser-known gem in inland Cordoba that deserves a spot on your travel list.
Tucked between Zagrilla Alta and Zagrilla Baja, in the municipality of Priego de Cordoba, lies the Jardin Micologico de La Trufa.
The site is a unique conservation park dedicated entirely to the study, protection and public understanding of fungi.
Opened in 2015 within the Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbeticas, a UNESCO Global Geopark, the garden covers around 14,000 square metres.
Despite its name, it’s far more than a simple garden: it’s part scientific centre, part open-air classroom and part immersive nature experience.
Walking through Andalucia’s fungal ecosystems
The outdoor areas are laid out to recreate the main ecosystems where fungi thrive in Andalucía, one of Europe’s most biodiverse regions for mushrooms. Visitors can wander through zones that mimic:
- Pine forests
- Holm oak (encinar) and cork oak (alcornocal) woodlands
- Quejigal forests
- Meadows and pastureland
- Riverbank woodland
- Even a pinsapar (Spanish fir forest)
Each section is carefully designed so fungi grow alongside their natural host trees, helping visitors understand how mycelium networks quietly sustain entire ecosystems beneath our feet.
Where science meets sustainability
At the heart of the site is the Centro Andaluz de Micologia, which combines research, conservation and education. Inside you’ll find:
- A mycorrhization and production laboratory
- A specialised mycological library
- A fungiarium, considered the crown jewel of the centre, with more than 9,000 dehydrated samples of fungi and slime moulds collected across Andalucía
- Research and workspaces used by specialists
The garden also integrates modern technology, including soil humidity sensors and infrared cameras, allowing scientists to monitor fungal growth in real time – a model example of innovation blended with nature.
Free activities for curious visitors
One of the most appealing aspects of the Jardin Micologico de La Trufa is its free public programme.
Activities include guided walks, workshops, talks, photography outings, documentary screenings and temporary exhibitions. These experiences explain not only which mushrooms grow where, but why fungi matter – from soil health to climate balance and culinary traditions.
The centre forms part of the Andalucian Network of Botanical and Mycological Gardens, making it an ideal plan for families, food lovers and anyone curious about the hidden world beneath the forest floor.
Truffles, tradition and micotourism
Beyond conservation, the project also highlights the cultural and gastronomic value of truffles, a prized Andalusian product whose history is deeply tied to local landscapes and rural life. By shining a light on sustainable harvesting and culinary uses, the garden bridges ancient traditions with modern science.
Today, it attracts thousands of visitors each year and has helped position Priego de Cordoba as a key destination for sustainable micotourism, including events such as Priego Micologico.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
