Jaén province

Jaén province

Vandelvira restaurant in Baeza

The World Heritage Site of Baeza’s historic quarter is probably one of the least- known in Andalucia, due to less-than-ideal transport links. In a converted 16 th -century Franciscan convent in Jaén city.

La Campiña

La Campiña de Jaen is the rural area in the north western part of the province consisting of the following municipal districts. Andújar, Arjona, Arjonilla, Cazalilla, Escañuela, Espelúy, Lahiguera, Lopera, Marmolejo, Villanueva de la Reina.

Área Metropolitana

The Area Metropolitana of Jaen consists of the following municipal districts. Fuensanta de Martos, Fuerte del Rey, Higuera de Calatrava, Jaén city, Jamilena, La Guardia de Jaén, Los Villares, Mancha Real, Martos, Mengíbar, Porcuna, Santiago de Calatrava, Torredelcampo, Torredonjimeno, Villardompardo, Villatorres.

Sierra Mágina Natural Park

The rugged Sierra Mágina Natural Park covers 19,900ha of rocky, steep limestone terrain, with precipitous cliffs and high summits that are often snow-capped in winter. Evocatively named by the Moors as the mountain of the spirits, the Sierra has a fascinating history glimpsed in its prehistoric cave paintings and defensive architecture built by warring Christians and Muslims. In the 10th century it harboured Moorish rebel leaders and much later, bandits. Its remote corners also provided a refuge for bears, wolves and the pardel lynx.

Sierra de Andujar Natural Park

The gently rolling 74,774ha Sierra de Andújar, part of the vast Sierra Morena, is densely wooded and boasts one of Andalucia's best preserved expanses of Mediterranean forest and scrubland. Flowing through the rocky hills is the Yeguas river, with many lovely spots to sit and meditate along its banks. Its more remote areas are inhabited by an impressive number of endangered species, such as the pardel lynx, wolf, black vulture and imperial eagle.

Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park

With a total surface area of 209,920ha and covering almost a fifth of Jaen province, this is Spain's largest protected area and one its most extensive forested zones. Located in eastern Jaen province, it connects the Sierra Morena and the Subbética mountain ranges. The highest peak in this immense park is Pico Empanada at 2,107m and the entire park is higher than 600m.

Despeñaperros Natural Park

The Despeñaperros Natural Park is a magnificent sheer-walled rocky river gorge that forms the backdrop of the most dramatic gateway into Andalucia. As the only natural break in the 500km-long Sierra Morena, it used to be one of the main routes into Andalucia from the north and Madrid. Today it is occupied by the A4 motorway and the Cadiz-Madrid railway line.

Baeza

Baeza is a compact provincial town with a kind of perpetual Sunday air. At its heart are the combined Plaza Mayor and paseo which, flanked by pavement cafes, are delightfully low key and atmospheric. It has about 15,770 inhabitants.

Segura de la Sierra

It is evident at first glance that Segura de la Sierra is part of the Ruta del Castillo (Castle Route) through the lands of Andalusian. Its urban centre, which was declared a Historical and Artistic Site, is crowned by an impressive castle of Muslim origin remodelled during the Christian era, which has the category of National Monument. Just behind the castle you can also see the so-called Torre del Agua, a watchtower-type tower similar to the Torre del Espolón that is also found in the municipality of Segura de la Sierra. It has about 1800 inhabitants.

Siles

Siles is another of the towns in the province of Jaén that is part of the Castle Route through Andalusia thanks to the Torre del Cubo, a tower of circular plan which is all that remains of a castle of Muslim origin renovated in Christian times, and which has the category of Historical Monument. Also in the same category are the remains of a wall, another tower and the Torre de Magdalena that can be seen among the hamlets of its picturesque town centre of stepped streets. It has about 2200 inhabitants.

Torres de Albanchez

Torres de Albánchez is situated within the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park where visitors can enjoy a very attractive mountain landscape, with a mix of olive groves, cereal crops, orchards and mountain areas. It has about 750 inhabitants.

Villatorres

Villatorres was born in 1975 from the merging of Villagordo, Torrequebradilla and the nucleus of Vados de Torralba. The landscape is dominated by cereal fields and olive groves. It has about 4,300 inhabitants.

Festivals in Lopera

Festivals in Lopera: Cabalgata Reyes Magos, La Candelaria, Día de Andalucía, Carnaval, Semana Santa, Fiesta a la Virgen de la Cabeza, Los Mayos, Romería de San Isidro and more.

History of Lopera

Lopera has its origins in the Bronze Age, with remains from this period having been found in the farmhouses of Almazán, Lanzarino I and Cuatro Hermanas. From the Iron Age period, remains of Iberian culture stand out, such as the deposits of Cerro de la Casa, Cerro de los Pollos and Cerro de San Cristóbal.

Sierra Sur

The Sierra Sur comarca or area of Jaen province is the mountain range in the southern part of the province.

Sierra Morena

The Sierra Morena comarca or area of Jaen province is the mountain range in the northern part of the province. It composed of the mountain range that separates Andalucia with the plains of Casitlla La Mancha and through it is cut the gorge of Despeñaperros which is known historically as the 'gateway to Andalucia'.

Sierra de Cazorla

The Sierra de Cazorla comarca or area of Jaen province is the rural area and the large natural park in the north east of the province.

Iglesia Santa Maria La Mayor

This church’s construction began in 1467 and continued until 1624. Of Gothic origin, it has a hall plan with three naves, with ribbed vaults at the feet. During the sixteenth century, its robust tower, made of brick and Mudejar decoration, began to be erected.