Podcast Summary: Cuerpos Especiales – “Campillo de Altobuey (Cuenca)”

Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: Eva Soriano, Nacho García, Lalachús
Guest: Patricia (Embajadora rural de Campillo de Altobuey)
Producer: EuropaFM

Overview

This lively episode of “Cuerpos especiales” spotlights the village of Campillo de Altobuey, in Cuenca, as part of the show’s ongoing segment “Pueblos especiales.” The segment’s purpose is to feature small towns across Spain, giving them a voice and a playful competition where listeners vote for their favorite at the end of the week. Patricia, the chosen “rural ambassador” for Campillo de Altobuey, shares colorful details about her hometown—from its unique architectural quirks to its famous culinary products and vibrant cultural life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to “Pueblos especiales”

• The hosts explain the mechanics of their segment: every week, five villages are featured, and on Friday, listeners can vote for their favorite.
  • [00:08] “Cada semana conoceremos cinco pueblos y el viernes... se abrirá una votación...” – B

Getting to Know Campillo de Altobuey

• Patricia reveals she’s from Campillo de Altobuey, a town in La Manchuela, Cuenca, with around 1,200 inhabitants.
  • [00:49] “Pues somos alrededor de 1.200.” – Patricia

Architectural and Historical Highlights

• The town boasts significant Renaissance and Baroque architecture; a 16th-century church and an 18th-century convent are featured.
• A unique twist: the village’s bullring is located inside the convent’s old residence—a "matryoshka" of Spanish culture.
  • [01:06] “Tenemos una arquitectura estupendísima del 16... un convento del 18 de un barroco alucinante.” – Patricia
  • [01:38] “Explicanos esta matrioska. ¿Cómo? Que dentro del convento está la plaza de toros del pueblo.” – A
  • [01:43] “...cuando se desacralizó esa parte, se convirtió en plaza de toros y sigue activa hasta ahora.” – Patricia

Local Gastronomy: Lentejas and Azafrán

• Campillo de Altobuey claims to have the best lentils and saffron in the world, specifically the “lenteja castellana” and local azafrán.
  • [02:26] “...tenéis las mejores lentejas y el mejor azafrán del mundo, pero vamos, de mundo mundial.” – A
  • [02:43] “Delegado de la tierra, lenteja castellana, por supuesto.” – Patricia
  • [02:56] “También es nuestro azafrán, es la pecetica.” – Patricia

Party Scene, Culture & “El Bureo”

• The town hosts vibrant parties, especially during the September festival of Virgen de la Loma, and throughout the summer with a surprising number of resident DJs (5-6!).
  • [03:46] “Las fiestas son en septiembre, la Virgen de la Loma, el día 8 de septiembre...” – Patricia
  • [04:01] “Aquí tenemos verbenas, tenemos 5 o 6 DJs en el pueblo, residentes...” – Patricia
• Summer population swells from 1,200 to 3,600, offering fiesta-like programming akin to major music festivals.
  • [04:27] “En verano somos a lo mejor 3.600.” – Patricia
• The word “bureo” is revealed as local slang for party or revelry, charming the hosts.
  • [04:53] “¿Qué es el bureo?” – B
  • [04:57] “¿Cómo que qué es el Bureo, la fiesta, la marcha se llama Bureo?” – Patricia
  • [05:13] “Me flipa como palabra. El bureíto, el jaleíto, su buen bureo. Me gusta, tío.” – B

Local Identity

• Residents are called “campillanos.”
  • [05:25] “Campillanos.” – Patricia

Final Plea: Why Vote for Campillo de Altobuey

• Patricia underscores that the best thing about the town is its people:
  • [05:48] “...la gente del pueblo es que es lo mejor que tiene el pueblo. Entonces, ¿Dónde está la buena gente? Pues eso es lo importante.” – Patricia

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On the bullring inside the convent:
  • [01:54] “No me lo puedo creer. Pero qué fuerte. De repente hubo una matrioska de contenido.” – B
• On local culinary pride:
  • [02:26] “Tenéis las mejores lentejas y el mejor azafrán del mundo, pero vamos, de mundo mundial.” – A
• On “bureo”:
  • [05:13] “Me flipa como palabra. El bureíto, el jaleíto, su buen bureo. Me gusta, tío.” – B

Important Timestamps

• Introduction to segment: [00:08]
• Meet Patricia & Campillo de Altobuey: [00:31]
• Town’s unique bullring: [01:38]
• Local products (lentejas & azafrán): [02:37]
• Town festivities & summer swell: [03:46], [04:27]
• Discovery of “bureo”: [04:53]
• Gentilicio “campillanos”: [05:25]
• Closing arguments for the vote: [05:48]

Summary Flow & Tone

The episode embodies the spontaneous, playful tone characteristic of “Cuerpos especiales.” Patricia’s affectionate, humorous descriptions of Campillo de Altobuey, paired with the hosts’ witty banter and genuine curiosity, make for a warm and engaging listen. The show succeeds in making even non-locals nostalgic for a party in small-town Spain—and possibly a bowl of “las mejores lentejas” with a dash of local azafrán.

Conclusion:
This episode stands as a lively homage to the tradition, character, and fun of Campillo de Altobuey, blending pride in heritage with a playful invitation for all to join in the “bureo.” The heart of the village, according to Patricia, is its people—a message that resonates throughout the segment.